Fredy Lienhard and Didier Theys have conducted the first shakedown run for the Porsche RS Spyder that Horag Racing will use for its assault on the 2008 Le Mans Series.

The pair, who will be joined by Jan Lammers at the wheel of the car for the coming season, took to the track in Barcelona in what will be one of the first customer Spyders to compete in Europe.

The team also plans to contest selected events in America, started with the Sebring 12 Hours in March, although the main focus will be on improving on the fifth place finish in the LMS LMP2 standings.

“We had two good, full days of testing last weekend without any problems at all,” Theys said. “We did quite a few miles, and we had no problems even though it was cold. We didn't concentrate on our set-up for that particular track, but instead tried different set-ups in order to learn what the car would do when we made certain changes. The car responded as we hoped, and we loved the feeling we got when driving it. Coupled with our Michelin tires, we think our Porsche RS Spyder package will be very strong. The car is gorgeous too; it's already in its Sebring livery. And we're all happy that Jan has agreed to join us for 2008. We are very excited about the upcoming season.

“Porsche sent several people to the test to make sure we got off to a good start. Led by
Martin Meijs, they were very helpful, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Porsche's support was excellent.”

Lammers, who was unable to attend the test and has shelved any plans for his own Racing for Holland team to compete at Le Mans in 2008, said he was thrilled with the deal to drive the Spyder.

“When you get more and more experience, you need more and more competent, no-nonsense people around you,” he said. “I believe Didier, Fredy and Markus [Hotz, the team owner] as the team captain are definitely all that! These men, in combination with the highly competitive, reliable and good-looking RS Spyder, make me feel a lucky man.

“I can't wait to join the Horag Racing team and start driving. Listening to Fredy and Didier after the Barcelona test makes me even more excited! To start in Sebring is particularly special. It's a great, legendary event that I would love to win and add to my multi-page CV.”