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IndyCar
INDYCAR: Lotus To Announce HVM, Herta As Partner Teams
Keith Wiggins' team and Bryan Herta Autosport will be formally announced as Lotus runners in a Thursday press conference at the L.A. Auto Show.
Simona de Silvestro's HVM Racing entry will carry the Lotus colors in 2012. (LAT)
Whether it’s been in Formula One, CART, Champ Car or INDYCAR, Keith Wiggins has always worn the underdog label so it’s only fitting his team will be carrying the torch for the Lotus/Judd engine in 2012.
But the veteran car owner likes his chances against Honda and General Motors.
“I know a lot of people are skeptical but I’ve spent a lot of time with those people and I’m very optimistic it will be the better engine,” said Wiggins, whose Indy-based operation will be renamed Lotus/HVM and get support from the livery made famous by the late Colin Chapman.
“We were interested in being with Lotus from the beginning and we came to a partnership agreement two months ago.”
Wiggins and Bryan Herta Autosport will be formally announced as Lotus runners in a Thursday press conference at the L.A. Auto Show.
“We’ve arrived at an agreement for an engine supply contract and we look forward to announcing it tomorrow,” said Herta, who is expected to name Alex Tagliani as his driver for 2012.
There is also a possibility that Dreyer & Reinbold could join HVM, Herta and Michael Shank Racing with Lotus/Judd power.
The last time open wheel had new equipment was Champ Car in 2007, where Wiggins won twice with Robert Doornbos. Simona de Silvestro, who’s shown flashes of brilliance the past two seasons, will be back in the Nuclear Energy Special for Lotus/HVM but starting from scratch instead of playing catch-up.
“It’s a good opportunity with a new car and new engines,” continued Wiggins, who is still trying to secure sponsorship for a second car.
“It’s good for Simona and for us to be included in the development and testing instead of being at the end of the queue.”
The ex-F1 owner of Pacific Racing formed a relationship with Lotus in the 1990s and with John Judd around the same time in F3000 and sports cars.
“Judd is one of those guys who always produces more with less,” said Wiggins, who could also be describing himself. “He’s had some very good sports car engines recently and does a good job.”
Since Honda and Chevrolet are already testing, it goes without saying that Lotus/Judd is starting from behind.
“Ultimately it’s a little disadvantage and we’d like to be out testing right now,” said Wiggins, who admitted the Judd motor was 45 pounds lighter than its competition. “But the second engine is on the dyno and third one is being fitted in the new Dallara so it’s going good.
“We hope to be testing around the New Year and, if we had a big budget, I’d probably be cocky and say we’ll be up front. But I like our partners.”
Robin Miller brings 40 years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.
But the veteran car owner likes his chances against Honda and General Motors.
“I know a lot of people are skeptical but I’ve spent a lot of time with those people and I’m very optimistic it will be the better engine,” said Wiggins, whose Indy-based operation will be renamed Lotus/HVM and get support from the livery made famous by the late Colin Chapman.
“We were interested in being with Lotus from the beginning and we came to a partnership agreement two months ago.”
Wiggins and Bryan Herta Autosport will be formally announced as Lotus runners in a Thursday press conference at the L.A. Auto Show.
“We’ve arrived at an agreement for an engine supply contract and we look forward to announcing it tomorrow,” said Herta, who is expected to name Alex Tagliani as his driver for 2012.
There is also a possibility that Dreyer & Reinbold could join HVM, Herta and Michael Shank Racing with Lotus/Judd power.
The last time open wheel had new equipment was Champ Car in 2007, where Wiggins won twice with Robert Doornbos. Simona de Silvestro, who’s shown flashes of brilliance the past two seasons, will be back in the Nuclear Energy Special for Lotus/HVM but starting from scratch instead of playing catch-up.
“It’s a good opportunity with a new car and new engines,” continued Wiggins, who is still trying to secure sponsorship for a second car.
“It’s good for Simona and for us to be included in the development and testing instead of being at the end of the queue.”
The ex-F1 owner of Pacific Racing formed a relationship with Lotus in the 1990s and with John Judd around the same time in F3000 and sports cars.
“Judd is one of those guys who always produces more with less,” said Wiggins, who could also be describing himself. “He’s had some very good sports car engines recently and does a good job.”
Since Honda and Chevrolet are already testing, it goes without saying that Lotus/Judd is starting from behind.
“Ultimately it’s a little disadvantage and we’d like to be out testing right now,” said Wiggins, who admitted the Judd motor was 45 pounds lighter than its competition. “But the second engine is on the dyno and third one is being fitted in the new Dallara so it’s going good.
“We hope to be testing around the New Year and, if we had a big budget, I’d probably be cocky and say we’ll be up front. But I like our partners.”
Robin Miller brings 40 years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.
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