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KV Racing Technology Retains Sato And Viso For 2011

 
1,727 views Feb 4, 2011


Takuma Sato felt at home on the Infineon Raceway Sears Point road course last year.
Photo: Anne Proffit

KV Racing Technology-Lotus is sticking with the assets they have in the driver merry-go-round leading up to the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series season.  Bringing back Formula 1 veteran and sophomore IndyCar driver Takuma Sato as partner to E.J. Viso, this duo will run their Dallara/Honda/Firestone Indy cars under the green and yellow Lotus colors.

According to KVRT co-owner Jimmy Vasser, “We are very excited to have Taku and E. J. back with us for 2011.  The fact that both drivers are returning for their second year with the team gives us continuity in the cockpit.  I believe that having a second season with the same driver and engineer combinations will be beneficial to our team and will produce some very positive results.”

Sato helped keep Dallara hard at work last year with his special affinity for finding the walls at many tracks.  The veteran of seven Formula 1 seasons earned a single top-10 finish with his ninth-place result at Edmonton in a very steep learning curve.  

Driving the NO. 5 KV Racing Technology-Lotus Honda/Dallara/Firestone racer during his rookie season, Sato did qualify amongst the top-10 eight times, with a best starting position of third at Mid-Ohio.  

“This is a team with tremendous potential,” Sato said.  “Everyone worked really hard to push the performance up over the winter, so I am very motivated and ready to challenge in my second season.”

Now in his fourth IndyCar season, Viso takes the reins of the No. 8 PDVSA-KV Racing Technology-Lotus car, with support from PDVSA, Herbalife, CANTV, SBA Airlines and team partner Plantronics.  

Following a season where his talent was hampered by poor luck Viso said, “I am really happy to be back with KV Racing Technology.  Last year was very successful even if the results don’t necessarily show it.  We worked very hard to develop the car and I think we showed we could be competitive.  

“I am also very excited,” Viso continued,” about becoming part of the history of Lotus racing.  I think having a strong relationship with Lotus will benefit the entire team and be important for the future,” he said looking toward 2012, when new engine and chassis rules take effect.  Lotus has stated its intention to build both engines and aero kits to the new rules specifications.

“What we’re doing with IndyCar,“ said Lotus director of motorsport Claudio Berro, “is very similar to the way we tackle all our race involvement, first we test the water with an established team, we then explore ways in which to expand our involvement – increasing our commitment to KVRT is one such step as is our intention to supply engine and aero body kits from 2012 onwards.”
   
© 2011 Anne Proffit



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