QUIFEL-ASM Team Estoril test summary

QUIFEL-ASM Team races for podium

The new car of the Quifel ASM Team, the only Portuguese team taking part in the Le Mans Series, did its first tests at the Estoril Circuit at the end of January. At the end of the training, the Zytek Z09s' performance proved there is an excellent season ahead in what is one of the most prestigious international motor sports races.

Despite a two-day schedule of tests, the rain did not help and it was only possible to test the Zytek Z09 on the first day. Despite this the Quifel ASM Team was able to carry out the scheduled checks on the car including its systems and sensors, assess the original set up and assess the car's behaviour with two different types of tyres.

In the end the team's engineer Alan Mugglestone noted that, "the Zytek is truly a step forward in relation to the Lola. Although we've only done a few laps, we've understood that despite the 2009 regulations being very strict (50 hp fewer and a smaller rear spoiler) it will be easy to at least equal the times clocked in 2008 with the Lola."

The director of the Quifel ASM Team, Antonio Simoes said that, "Quifel ASM Team's focus on acquiring a new car aims to vie for the top places in the LMP2 class in the Le Mans series. I believe that in the year ahead, the Quifel ASM Team will bring a lot of joyful moments to Portugal," Antonio Simoes concluded.

At the end of last season the Quifel ASM Team decided to buy a Zytek Z09s, to replace the Lola it had raced with, in order to be more competitive in the LMP2 class for the Le Mans Series, which is due to begin in March.

The new car is the most recent model of car manufactured by Zytek Engineering. This car, which is equipped with a 3.4-litre engine, is lighter by around 3 kg compared to the previous model and has a redesigned back end.

The team will keep its proven core members, including director Antonio Simoes, drivers Miguel Pais do Amaral and Olivier Pla, as well as renowned engineer Alan Mugglestone. The Zytek will be officially unveiled in February at the Estoril Circuit.

-credit: q-asm