Algarve Pro Racing Team is chasing podium finishes in the Asian Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Fuji (2-4 December), invigorated by its early-season form and prominent backing from Extreme Energy Drink.
The Albufeira, Portugal-based team was wholly satisfied with its second and third-place results in the Asian LMS curtain-raiser in Zhuhai, having been severely hampered by the late arrival of its cars, parts and equipment.
For Round 2 of the 2016-17 Asian LMS at Fuji International Speedway in Japan, Algarve Pro is implementing pre-planned alterations to its line-up, necessitated by conflicting racing and business commitments for its drivers.
Arizona teenager, Matthew McMurry, relinquishes his seat in Algarve Pro’s #24 Ligier JS P2 Judd to Switzerland’s John Hirschi, while Nicky Catsburg of the Netherlands makes way for Andrea Roda in the #25 Nissan-powered Ligier.
The provisional 4 Hours of Fuji entry consists of 30 cars – four in the headlining LMP2 division – and Algarve Pro is confidently predicting podium finishes, given that it will have sufficient time to prepare its cars and boasts coveted support from a new sponsor.
Extreme Energy Drink is designed for those who lead active lifestyles, from athletes and racing drivers to musicians and fashion models. It was created to give the best extreme flavours on the energy drink market and the maximum energy needed to face an extreme life.
Fernando Moreira of Extreme Energy Drink said: “Extreme Energy Drink is supporting Algarve Pro Racing Team because we believe the squad can take the brand to race victories on the track and increase its global reach, which has just expanded to include Switzerland. We’re delighted to be supporting a team of Algarve Pro’s calibre during what is being hailed as the golden era of sportscar racing. We see this as a very positive step for the activation of the Extreme Energy Drink brand because there are plenty of people who live the extreme life in and around motorsport.”
Algarve Pro Racing Team Principal, Stewart Cox, said: “We were happy with the results achieved in the season-opener and I would like to do the same again in Fuji. I truly believe we had the Zhuhai race in the bag with Nicky (Catsburg) – he was unfairly criticised for the contact that caused him and a rival to spin, as our data shows it wasn’t his fault – and, while I think it might be hard to beat the DC Racing car this time around, we will be able to fight harder with more time to prepare. A smoother weekend should bear fruit, but all the work we do now in the Asian LMS is primarily for next year’s European Le Mans Series.
“We’re delighted to welcome Extreme Energy Drink as the team’s sponsor and energy drink partner. Both Algarve Pro cars will be emblazoned with Extreme logos for the duration of the 2016-17 Asian Le Mans Series and we hope this partnership is a successful one that continues into next year’s ELMS.”