ALMS 2010
25.02.2010 | ALMS 2010
KAFFER RETURNS TO RISI FOR THE CLASSICS
The genial German, 33, will be partnered with Gianmaria Bruni and Jaime Melo in the Rosso Red Ferrari for the above mentioned races in the USA and France, and will additionally be paired with Jaime Melo for the Road America 2 hour 34 minute round of the American Le Mans Series. Bruni has a clashing commitment in Europe.
Pierre Kaffer has now been competing extremely successfully in a Ferrari F430 GTC for the last two seasons, taking three wins and six podium finishes and never finishing lower than sixth place in a race. He is delighted to be returning to Risi Competizione.
“I really like the team so it’s great to be back,” said Pierre. “And, from my side, I will, as always, do my very best to help defend our titles. I am sure that, with Gimmi and Jaime, we present a very strong driver combination for these endurance races. I’m very happy to be back in the USA for the three races as I love racing there and, with Ferrari, I think we have a strong package. I hope I’ll be able to help the team a lot.”
Team Principal Giuseppe Risi said of Kaffer’s return to his team: “We obviously work very closely with Ferrari in all aspects of our racing, including our driver line up. Jaime and Gianmaria are the two drivers with the most experience in the world of the F430, as they have both been involved with its development from the start, so that was our decision for the ALMS sprint races.
“Pierre, however, is a perfect fit as their endurance partner and was fortunately available to us amongst his European racing commitments. He brings experience, stability and undoubted talent, as we saw last season, and everyone on the team is delighted to welcome him back.”
Pierre Kaffer:
Nationality: German
Birthdate: November 7, 1976
Residence: Salenstein, Switzerland
Notes: Two times overall winner in ALMS with Audi R8, including 12 Hours of Sebring. Former Audi factory driver, drove in DTM for two years before returning to sportscars. 16 ALMS career starts; won GT class of Sebring 12 Hours, 24 Hours Le Mans and Petit Le Mans with Risi Competizione in 2009; 2nd places at Long Beach, Lime Rock and Mosport.
23.02.2010 | ALMS 2010
KROHN RENEW RACING PARTNERSHIP WITH RISI FOR 2010
Continuing with an extremely successful endurance racing partnership – now in its fourth year – Krohn Racing will once again be joining with Risi Competizione for the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. In addition to these two races, the distinctively-liveried green and blue #61 car will also be campaigned by Krohn and Jönsson at the 6-hour American Le Mans Series Monterey event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, California in May.
Texan Krohn, Georgia-domiciled Swede, Jönsson, and van de Poele of Belgium will, as in 2008 and 2009, be returning to the Houston-based fold in a bid to continue with their successful run of results in the Ferrari F430. The highlights of the last three years include second and third places at the world’s most famous, and gruelling, twice-round-the-clock event, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and a third place finish at the notoriously challenging 12 Hours of Sebring.
With a recent fourth place overall at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, recipient of the “Jim Trueman Award" as the top Grand-Am Pro-Am driver of the race, Tracy Krohn, is approaching the 2010 season on a high. “We are happy to be back with Risi Competizione in the Ferrari 430 GTC for our fourth season together,” said Tracy W. Krohn. “We can always count on a well-prepared car and a professional team with Risi. They have guided us to two podium finishes at Le Mans and one podium finish at Sebring in three years. We obviously are doing something right with this partnership and hope for more successes in 2010."
“I’m delighted that Tracy will be back with us once more,” said Team Principal Giuseppe Risi. “It means a great deal to us to continue our racing partnership with Krohn Racing as, together, we have achieved some great results. Tracy has enjoyed a great 12 months in racing, and obviously feels very at home in the Ferrari and within the team. There’s no reason that won’t continue into 2010, and we’re all looking forward to the renewed challenge that the GT class presents. It gets a little harder each year as the bar is raised in terms of competition, speed and technology, but we are more than equal to that challenge and, indeed, embrace it.”
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón will open its 12th season with America’s greatest sports car race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17-20. The green flag will fall at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED.
13.02.2010 | ALMS 2010
Q&A WITH GIANMARIA BRUNI
Question: How much easier will it be rejoining Risi Competizione full-time having competed with the team in 2007 and 2008?
Answer: The first race I did with the Risi team, I immediately felt at home. This is the reason why, for the last two years, I strongly yearned to have one full season in the American Le Mans Series. Therefore it’s about the most important thing I can do now. Moreover, I was really attracted by the championship when I experienced it before. One or two races in a season weren’t enough!
Q: Is there a stronger Ferrari pairing in the world than yourself and Jaime?
A: I think Jaime and I could be the hardest pairing for our competitors to be up against.. Jaime is one of the best GT drivers we’ve ever seen and I’m sure that together we can achieve great results. We already know each other well, and will also be racing together in Europe so our partnership in the car will be very strong.
Q: Having competed mostly in FIA GT and LMS, what is the international perception of the competition within the American Le Mans Series’ GT2 class?
A: I think most people in Europe don’t know how hard it is to race in the American Le Mans Series. It is definitely one of the harder championships for endurance races, very competitive, with lots of different manufacturers and top drivers. I am glad to be one of those in 2010.
Q: With the career of the F430 GT winding down, how will it be remembered by those who drove it?
A: I have a very good feeling with the F430GT and with the Ferrari family. It has brought me and Jaime some fantastic victories and Championships. I am sure we will try to put this fast and fantastic car as high as possible in the championship for its last big season, and this way all our other competitors will remember all about it!
Q: Does having a background in a sprint format such as FIA GT make the transition to standard-length American Le Mans Series races easier?
A: I feel profoundly easy with this GT2 car so I can face any format with it.
Q: Outside of Sebring, what event on the calendar are you looking forward to most in North America?
A: Most of the other events are a big challenge to me as I will face them for the first time, although I am looking forward to going back to Mid-Ohio, Road America and Mosport. I will need to be very professional and concentrate hard to be as ready by race time as my competitors are.
The American Le Mans Series will open its 12th season with America’s greatest sports car race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17-20. The green flag will fall at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED. Visit the American Le Mans Series' schedule page for ticket and accommodation information.