Interlagos: Spyker Squadron preview

Spyker Squadron Mil Milhas Interlagos preview

Within a few days from now the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, is home to the final round of 2007 Le Mans Series season. After a series of spectacular European races the season has almost come to an end. With 14 cars in the GT2 class the ‘Mil Milhas' - 1000 miles - of Interlagos has all the ingredients to go into the history books as the first South-American Le Mans Series race.

After Spyker Squadron's Silverstone podium finish the team had just two weeks to prepare both the number 85 Spyker C8 Spyder GT2R factory car and the Speedy Racing car before the cars were transported to Le Havre, France, by truck. From there both cars including parts and equipment were packed in two 40-foot containers and shipped by boat to Sao Paulo.

After a thorough preparation by the Spyker Squadron mechanics two fresh race engines were transported by air last week. The race is quite long, with the speed of the Peugeot prototypes the 1000 mile race will likely take less than 10 hours to the finish, so fresh engines will be installed on Friday before the race.

The Spyker factory car will be driven by Spyker regulars Peter Kox (NL) and Mike Hezemans (NL). For this occasion the two Dutchmen will be partnered by guest driver Paul van Splunteren (NL).

Peter van Erp, director Spyker Squadron: "Peter Kox and Jarek Janis are our factory drivers his season but unfortunately this last race Jarek will not drive for us. Although Jarek is making good progress -his shunt at Spa-Franchorchamps caused a contused backbone- it would not be advisable to take any risk. Mike has driven the C8 Spyder GT2R at Le Mans and Silverstone and it is great to have him with the team again in Brazil. Our third driver will be Paul van Splunteren. I know Paul for quite some time now" he says. "We have been working together in the Dutch Touring Car Championship with Mitsubishi and Lexus but currently Paul is racing in the FIA GT3 Championship. He is a serious and very committed driver and I am looking forward to work with him again. Paul is working for car magazine ‘Autovisie' and will report his experiences with Spyker Squadron and the Le Mans Series in a future edition of the Dutch magazine".

The team will head to Brazil by the end of this week. The race week will start with scruteneering on Tuesday and free practices on Wednesday and Thursday. The race starts Saturday 10 November at noon and will be broadcast live by LMS partner MotorsTV. Regular updates will also be posted on the Spyker Squadron website.

-credit: spykersquadron.com