BRASELTON,
Georgia (September 29, 2006) — In years previous, Zytek has been better
known for its technology, standing modestly in the background of such race
winning marques as the 1987 “Silk Cut” Jaguar-Zytek EMS that won Le Mans,
and the Jaguar X1220 “Supercar”. In 1998, Zytek in partnership with Panoz
created the first hybrid-electric race car to run at Le Mans, a model
affectionately known as “Sparky.” This car was essentially a test project,
as an innovative technology like this one needs far more development time to
be competitive in the granddaddy of all endurance races. Today Zytek is
developing its own marque of endurance racers, running in the Le Mans
Endurance Series (now called the Le Mans Series) in Europe, including a run
at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2006. “The Dream,” said Myke Penfold,
Commercial Manager of Zytek’ s North American effort, “is that over a span
of three to five years, the team will win Le Mans 24 Hours and the ALMS
championship by re-introducing the 1998 hybrid program with the advantage of
today’s updated technology. In our dream scenario, 2007 will be a
development year, in 2008 we will win, and from then through 2009 we will
concentrate on components and testing to improve the technology. Now that
the ACO particularly is emphasizing alternative fuel scenarios, we feel that
the time is right. “Penfold emphasized that as yet this is their Dream
scenario; when all the ducks are in a row, then it will be announced as a
battle plan for sure. They envision a two-tier option, to use the car they
have and develop a P2 car that can race at Le Mans, because Le Mans demands
innovation of their competitors; and at the same time on a parallel track
they plan to continue to evolve the hybrid technology with a view toward an
eventual position in P1.
Meanwhile, the Zytek team will continue to race as Zytek Engineering in the
current car. “This will enable us to evolve as a team,” said Penfold, “and
keep us in the public eye in the very important demographic of sports car
racing.”
What is it about the American Le Mans Series that caused Zytek to focus its
attention in North America? Zytek believe that the ALMS offers them the best
return on investment for the money invested. “It’s a very technical series,
and it has tech-savvy fans,” he explained. “Unlike some other series that
are either moving toward a spec scenario or in fact standing pat with
technology now on hand, the ALMS and the ACO encourage innovation and we
believe this is a showcase for what we want to do.”
That’s what Zytek Engineering hope the future will look like. But, you may
ask, what about the present?
The Zytek 06S was very good from the beginning, despite the significant
differences the drivers experienced on a North American track.
Tracks in
Europe are generally configured for Formula One, which means they are
smoother and faster with fewer surprises round every corner; thus tracks
such as Road Atlanta hold challenges for a European team as regards setup
and acclimatization. Lead driver Stefan Johansson has been driving the No.
15 Zytek in Europe and he is familiar with the car; he has also driven Road
Atlanta in other cars. His teammates, Johnny Mowlem and Haruki Kurosawa,
have their individual challenges this weekend – Mowlem has driven the track
in GT1 (for ACEMCO Saleen) and GT2 (for Porsche), but has never driven a P1
car in anger; Kurosawa has driven the 2004 version of this car but has not
driven at Road Atlanta. “He walked the track Tuesday night,” said Penfold,
“and came back saying ‘what an interesting track this is!’ But he’s had
extensive experience driving in Europe and he had no difficulty at all
coming to terms with Road Atlanta once he got into the car.”
The team are unanimous in their belief that the car has not yet shown its
limits, due to the rainstorm that significantly changed the track which they
believe was just beginning to come to them in Practice 2. They’re optimistic
about their chances this weekend, as the car in Europe took 3 poles and 3
podiums of the four races in which they competed. They’re very much looking
forward to putting on a good show for the prospective clients and sponsors
that will be keenly interested this weekend. “I think the fans will be well
connected with the sponsors we have in mind,” Penfold opined, “because we’ve
based our plans on the demographics of the ALMS and what would lead to a fun
environment for them. It’s a fact of life that top tier racing has become
significantly more corporate; it is after all at heart a business and has to
be run as such. But at the same time, it’s also a fact of life that too much
concentration on the business aspects of racing leads to the refined boredom
that has replaced the excitement of Formula One. NASCAR has got one thing
right – its teams and promoters know that they’re there to entertain the
fans, and that’s what keeps people coming back time and time again. Sports
car racing is not going to compete head to head with NASCAR, regardless, but
our position is that it doesn’t have to be as exciting as a trip to the
hardware store. And by gearing our presentation to the older and more
affluent ALMS crowd, we believe we’ll be very successful in providing a fun
experience for the fans.”
In morning practice on a dry track, Johansson placed the Zytek second
overall. That indicates to us a very good race to come, and if The Dream
becomes The Announcement, we promise you’ll read all about it here!
Meanwhile, Zytek Engineering looks forward to entertaining you with some
standout racing in the Petit Le Mans tomorrow and Mazda Laguna Seca to come.
