Mirco Schultis, the actual LMS-Formula Le Mans Champion 2011 tested the Genoa Racing LMPC in Sebring 3 weeks ago. The connection to the american team was established during the 2011 LMS-season when Genoa was the hardest opponent of Schultis own FLM-car, run by Pegasus Racing. Later Schultis visited the Petit Le Mans for further talks with Genoa, where the current test was agreed.
“I tested together with a mexican driver, who unfortunately in the evening parked the car in the wall at turn 3. That put an end on our session because the suspension fixings were damaged so that the chassis had to be returned to the shop. It was my first time in Sebring and the laps I turned were very impressive. Especially the airfield-sections with the concrete plates remind you to the history of the track and make turn 17 a very brave experience, where you have to turn in flat out & blind regarding the apex and jumping from patch to patch.”
Regarding his 2012 plans with his 2 LMPC-cars – additional to his own first car which was run 2011 by the experienced Pegasus Racing crew Schultis meanwhile bought one of the ex Hope-Polevision-FLM – the german racer is still undecided: “I would love to defend our LMS-Titles but currently no one can tell me how many LMPC will contest in the series 2012. A race like our 2011 final in Estoril with just 3 cars is without any fun. Additionally the calendar is very unattractive. There are really no classic tracks and additionally we have the date-collision of Zolder and the 40th 24hours at the Nürburgring which really hurts our team. Patrick Simon cannot leave this important race out – as many other german drivers – and I have no helicopter to shuttle him to the track.
“All in all the ALMS is an alternative to think about, because they have a large competetive LMPC-grid and there are a lots of interested customer-pilots who would help to pay the bills. But there we would have to start at zero looking for a squad who runs our cars, while here in Europe we have an existing team. Also here we are in talks with interested drivers and teams who want to run our cars in the 2012 LMS. But I first want to fix the deals before I can reveal more details.”
Source : Mirco Schultis