Intersport Racing Uses Break In The Schedule For Team Test

Ricardo VeraWhile the American Le Mans Series takes its annual break surrounding the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Intersport Racing took advantage of the time to put drivers in seats and cars on the track. The two day test at Mid-Ohio was a great opportunity for the team to establish baseline setups and allow Ricardo Vera, the team's IMSA Prototype Lites driver, an opportunity to appraise Intersport's ladder system by climbing into the LMPC car.

"The test went flawless for both cars," said team manager Brian Alder. "And, I'm pleased to say the crew, led by lead mechanic Colin Adams, did an excellent job preparing for the test.  "

"We were also able to demonstrate and take advantage of our in-house ladder system," noted Alder. "Ricardo [Vera] went out and turned some of the fastest laps of the day in our IMSA prototype lites car, and then made the transition to the larger, more powerful LMPC car. Ricardo's situation is exactly what our ladder program is for. Coming from the Lite's prototype, Ricardo came to grips with LMPC car very quickly and was soon setting some very fast laps. Given we were experiencing spring weather in the midwest with temperatures only in the 40's, it's fairly difficult getting the tires to reach their optimal operating temperature.  Regardless, we are very happy with Ricardo's speed and performance on the track.

Ricardo also expressed his own enthusiasm for the test and opportunity;

"The LMPC was an incredible practice," said the young Puerto Rican. "Because I never run that kind of car before, the first time I saw it I said ,  'that’s my car' and I ran it very quick. The car is very challenging to drive because it has a lot of power so you have to be careful with the throttle for not to spin out. But it brakes very hard and turns awesome."

Ricardo was very appreciative for the opportunity and is excited working with Intersport.

"The team worked with me very hard," said Vera.  "We improved in every session, posting some impressive lap times. It was easy working together and I am very pleased with my work and the team work."

At just 17 years old, Ricardo has an exciting future ahead of him and views Intersport Racing and the American Le Mans Series as the place he would like to race. The LMPC Series could just be the perfect fit.

"I have in mind [if I get a sponsor] getting into the LMPC car next year because it is a very good opportunity to grow as a driver," said Ricardo. " And I think that its better for the sponsor because we have TV coverage and I can give my best to be the youngest driver in the Le Mans Prototype Challenge Series to climb the podium ."

"My goal right now," continued Ricardo, "is to finish as high as possible in the IMSA Cooper Lites Series, and to keep growing with the Intersport team. They have given to me so far everything  a driver needs to have a successful career. My ultimate goal is to drive the LMP1 car at the age of 20 or 21 year of age with Intersport Racing and win championship.

The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón will return for Round 3, the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park, on July 9. The race will be shown live and in its entirety on ESPN3.com in the United States and internationally on americanlemans.com starting at 1:05 p.m. ET. ESPN2 will provide television coverage from 1 to 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 10.

One of the founding teams of the American Le Mans Series, Intersport has established itself as a premier independent team in sports car racing. The Dublin, Ohio-based team has taken on mightiest of factory prototype teams in recent seasons and posted noteworthy class victories within that span including an LMP1 triumph at Detroit in 2008 and 2006 at Sebring. You can find out more about Intersport Racing at http://www.intersportracing.com, join our Facebook Fan Page or follow us on Twitter at Intersport37.