Supercars Winter Series gives Kraihamer and Lenzenweger ideal preparation... 21.11.2009: ... for the new 2010 Formula Le Mans Championship Austria’s Dominik Kraihamer will be joined by experienced race driver Norbert Lenzenweger to compete in the opening round of the

... for the new 2010 Formula Le Mans Championship



Austria’s Dominik Kraihamer will be joined by experienced race driver Norbert Lenzenweger to compete in the opening round of the ORECA Sportscars Winter Series this Sunday at the Paul Ricard Circuit in France, supported once again by the Thierry Boutsen Energy Racing team, as part of their preparation for the new Formula Le Mans Championship.

Celebrating his 20th birthday next week, Kraihamer declared that he had some positive results in the FLM Cup during 2009, narrowly missing out on taking his first podium in the competitive series, after making the switch from GT3 earlier in the year. “I’m really looking forward to the Supercars Winter Series and driving with Norbert Lenzenweger, and I really believe that together we’ll be considered a strong partnership for the 2010 season. The prospect of racing as part of the Le Mans Series is fantastic and we’re aiming for nothing less than a top 3 in our class. It’s going to be challenging, yet I know we have an excellent chance with Boutsen.”

The Supercars Winter Series is a new initiative between the French venue and championship organisers ORECA to provide an opportunity for drivers and teams to get maximum track time in the off-season with substantial competition, yet be cost effective. The series will be run over three weekends at the Paul Ricard Circuit using different track configurations ranging from 3.8 to 5.2 kilometres. It’s open to Formula Le Mans, GT2, GT3, other cars of a one-make series (including Porsche Carrera Cup, Ferrari Challenge, Lamborghini Supertrofeo, Bioracing Series, etc) as well as additional models subject to approval by the series organisers.

The dates for the Winter Series rounds are Sunday, November 22, December 6 and January 24. All three meetings have an action-packed program planned with a total of 5 hours driving which can be shared between up to a maximum of four drivers. The schedule includes 2 hours free practice, 1 hour qualifying, two 30-minute sprint races and a one-hour endurance race. All three events will be covered by Motors TV.

An exciting announcement made recently by Formula Le Mans organisers ORECA, will see a limited number of the FLM cars able to compete in their own specific championship within the European Le Mans Series 1000km races in the upcoming year. Kraihamer and Lenzenweger have now confirmed that they will be participating in the Formula Le Mans category for VPD/Operated by the Boutsen Energy Racing team.

The Supercars Winter Series gives the new pairing the ideal chance to become accustomed to the VPD/Boutsen entry with slight modifications being made to the FLM monotype prototype/420 BHP GM engine. These latest restrictions are to keep this “economic prototype” at some distance from the LMP2, but nevertheless ahead of the GT2 pack in the famous Le Mans Series, where the calendar sees the popular endurance championship go to Paul Ricard, Spa Franchorchamps, Silverstone and another European venue to be decided. There is also an additional FLM meeting planned outside the LMS framework during 2010.

All the latest news and updates for VPD can be found at – www.racetogetthere.com


Jenni Wade-    photo VPD