“I'm having a great time driving a race car again but, in addition, I am enjoying the 'out of the cockpit' activities as a team owner - it's been a very fun project," de Ferran commented, "We are learning about sportscar racing right now. It is different from open-wheel racing, but driving the prototypes is a lot like driving an open-wheel car. The car handles very similar to an IndyCar and this Acura is very close to a
Formula One car with very high technology. It's so much fun to drive.”
The #15 Lowe's Acura line-up of Mexicans Adrian Fernandez and Luis Diaz drove wheel-to-wheel with the winning Porsche throughout the 12 Hours of Sebring, but have not enjoyed a great deal of success. As a result, they will be looking to team boss Fernandez, who is a two-time winner at Mid-Ohio after taking the chequered flag in the 1998 CART race and the 2006 Grand-Am event.
“We are working on getting the Acura package and total Acura family stronger," Fernandez explained, "We are learning a lot from every race, and I think we are making a lot of gains right now with our Acura engine and chassis. We are trying to make adjustments for Mid-Ohio, where I have won in Champ Car and sportscars.”
Andretti Green Racing brings another newcomer into its ALMS line-up to partner 24 Hours of Le Mans star Franck Montagny, with Atlantic Series champion Rafael Matos making his first appearance in the XM-sponsored Acura as part of a double-duty weekend.
“I'm very excited to join Andretti Green Racing and the XM Acura programme," Montagny revealed as he gears up for his second outing in the #26 machine, "We tested at Mid-Ohio recently, so I feel good about the race. I know how competitive the American Le Mans Series is and know how challenging this race will be, but I'm anxious to race.”
