and changes driver line-up FIA GT1 World Championship - Round Four Preview Sachsenring 14 & 15 May 2011
Fresh from its two podium results last weekend in the Algarve, Sumo Power GT now gets ready for round four of the FIA GT1 World Championship, which takes place this weekend at the 3.7 km (2.299-mile) Sachsenring circuit near Chemnitz in Germany.
The event sees the return of a familiar face to the team; Warren Hughes replacing Ricardo Zonta in car 20 and joining Enrique Bernoldi for this weekend's race. Hughes drove for the Sumo Power GT team in 2010 and therefore, brings with him his experience of driving the Nissan GT-R in the GT1 championship.
As well as adapting to the revised driver-line-up, the team has also faced the challenge of transporting its cars, personnel and equipment across Europe in just two-days. In fact, as soon as the they were packed on Sunday night, the trucks left the Algarve and headed north through Portugal, Spain and France, before crossing the border into Germany. With driver changes throughout the journey, the fleet only stopped for essentials and arrived late on Tuesday night to start setting up for this weekend.
David Brabham's and Jamie Campbell-Walter's third-places in car 21 in the Qualifying and Championship races at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, were a welcome tonic to the Sumo Power GT team - especially after having to repair its two cars following the start-line shunt at Zolder. Added to this, the front-row qualification for the first race by their team-mates Zonta and Bernoldi, was also well received, but the hit from behind which spun car 20 at the first corner, certainly was not. The Brazilians went on to finish eighth and seventh respectively in the two races.
Following the Portuguese success, team management commented that 'our season starts here!' However, they also admitted that the Algarve track suited the power and handling characteristics of the Nissan GT-R. Whilst at Sachsenring - with its section of low-speed corners - they are not so sure the car will be as competitive, this being the first time that the championship has visited the Saxony-based circuit.
Added to this, the FIA has just ruled that all Nissans on the grid will receive a further 15kg of weight in accordance with the Championship's 'Balance of Performance' criteria. This will be in addition to the 10kg success ballast that has been added to car 21.
After Free Practice and Pre-Qualifying on Friday, the competition commences on Saturday with Qualifying at 09.10 (CET), followed by the first of the two one-hour races at 14.15 (CET). The main 'Championship' race takes place on Sunday and also gets the green light at 14.15 (CET).
Qualifying and both races can be watched live on the team's website: www.sumopowergt.comhttp://www.sumopowergt.com/
Team Quotes
David Brabham (Car 21)"The result from last weekend was a great boost to the team and it has put a spring in everyone's step. We know we still have a lot of work to do to win races, but we have shown great improvement since the start of the season. I have never been to Sachsenring before, so it will be a new experience for me. I have heard that it's a fun track and well supported by the fans. I enjoy racing in Germany, I have always done well there. Let's hope that trend continues!"
Jamie Campbell-Walter (Car 21)"Algarve was a great weekend for car 21. Brabs and I have worked hard to get everything to gel and we're starting to see the benefit now. The two podium places are not only good for us as drivers, but for the whole team and gives everyone an inner belief that we can win and will win...! This will be my first visit to Sachsenring. I have heard good things about the circuit and I'm really looking forward to going there. I love back-to back- race weekends as everyone is in the groove and focused, so hopefully we can go two steps up the podium in Germany!"
Enrique Bernoldi (Car 20)"The Nissan GT-R was good in Portugal but again, we had a difficult two races. Surely, our luck must change soon. I hope that we can qualify well again and this time we will see some clean racing. Of course, it will be interesting to see how the new combination with Warren goes on this event."
Warren Hughes (Car 20)"It's great to be back with the Sumo Power GT team for this event. Although it was a late call, I am delighted I'm going to be driving the Nissan GT-R again. I raced at Sachsenring back in 1996 and it's changed since then, so I do feel a bit like I'm in at the deep end. I'm really looking forward to this weekend and hope it goes well, not just for me, but for the team."
Hiroke Furuse (Team Manager)"The first two rounds of this season were difficult for us, as we had some bad luck to say the least. Therefore, the results in the Algarve were a great moral boost for the team. We hope the performance will continue this weekend, but with this being our first visit to the Sachsenring circuit, its difficult to predict the result."
Andy Barnes (Team Principal)"We finally made a real start to our season in the Algarve and were pleased to move up the points table. Although scoring, we are still concerned with our pace in the future. With the same tools as the other teams we have shown that the Nissan GT-R can live up to its legendary status on a circuit like Portimäo, but success ballast and the revised balance of performance weight of an extra 15kgs makes things very challenging for us. We'll keep pushing as hard as we can though."
