Motorsport News
PSR Enters Two Volvo S60 to Fight for Class Victories
By source: PSR
Mar 30, 2007, 11:05

The Adena-based team PSR will contest the 2007 German Endurance Championship (GEC) with two Volvo S60. Team principal Danny Berk intends "to score more victories – and plenty of them".

It was time to hurry up. Until mid-February, PSR was working solidly on entering a new Mosler M900 GT3 in der German Endurance Championship. Then, team principal Danny Berk learnt that the federation had decided to ban the car from all races in Germany. "The first signals we had received did not hint anything towards that decision. We were always led to believe that the Mosler would be eligible for the GEC, and we had put a lot of effort into setting the Mosler programme up," recalls Berk. "All of a sudden, we needed an alternative. After a short period of thought, we knew the only alternative could be two Volvo S60."

In a few week’s time, the team had to prepare a second Volvo S60 – in addition to the one they would have entered this year anyway, and in addition to a number of technical improvements for the number-one Volvo. "We saved 60 kilos of weight," explains Berk. "We also developed a new aero package with a different front end, a new floor and a rear diffusor. And we re-positioned the position of the radiators in the front, lowering their position for a better CoG and a more efficient airflow to each one of the single coolers."

The new aero package is based on the technology provided by American Volvo tuner Evolve, of Monrovia, Ca., who remains one of PSR’s technology partners.

In addition to the existing technology and advertising partners, Volvo team PSR has entered cooperations with two new, exciting partners: Tribolube and Motoso.

The website www.motoso.de offers a wide range of services with regards to spare parts for cars and bikes, using all the technologies of modern internet: It is not only an online market place but also offers a forum and blog for the users to exchange their experiences, opens up new distribution channels, presents news and information on spare parts, assists in finding local service stations and serves as an advertising platform for the related industry.

Tribolube, meanwhile, is a liquid which is added to the car’s oil and is thus being transported to all moving and stationary parts of an engine, covering them with a small protective film to reduce friction in the engine. By using Tribolube, fuel consumption is being reduced by six to 12 per cent; the emission of CO2 also goes down significantly due to the relatively new technology.

Drivers Ulli Andree and Fredy Lienhard jr., who had originally been supposed to drive the Mosler, will now take to the wheel of the first Volvo. "The Mosler would have been a fascinating challenge," says Volvo’s longest serving driver Andree, of Cologne. "But the Volvo is one of the most successful cars ever developed for the Nordschleife. It will be exiting to thrive the car to new heights and make sure we can exploit the potential of the upgrades to the maximum. The car is big fun to drive and we will enjoy a lot of success with it." Especially as team principal Berk adds: "We will enter the car in the SP4 category instead of the three-litre class like last year. We want to win races, and plenty of them."

Andree’s new partner Fredy Lienhard jr. is preparing himself eagerly to match the 41-year-old’s pace. "Since I’ve only been racing sportscars in my career, I needed to adjust my driving style to front-wheel drive," explains the 26-year-old Swissman. "I did that by tackling a number of laps on the Nordschleife in a rented VW Passat and Suzuki Swift Sport, and I’ve learned a lot during the past couple of days as a Nordschleife tourist driver." Berk adds: "On Monday, I sat on his passenger seat for five laps. He already seems to have eliminated all the typical mistakes for a front-wheel drive rookie. Ulli will be getting a partner who’s right up to speed."

The second car will be driven by a German-Swiss combination, too. Stephan Herter will be supported by Remo and André Lips, of Zurich. While Herter has been a Volvo regular last year, the Lips siblings drove for PSR in the team’s old one-make series’ days. "I have also competed a few races in the Volvo and was right up to speed, even though the car is not easy to drive," stresses André Lips. "If given the chance of a full championship season, I’m sure I can be as quick as the best in class. The same goes for my brother, too. We are both looking foward on an extremely competitive season." Herter adds: "I learnt a lot on how to drive a front-wheel driven car last year, and I made steady progress throughout the season. I can capitalise on this and expect a lot from 2007."

The GEC starts on Saturday afternoon with the Westfalenfahrt, a four-race on a combined track of the Nuerburgring’s Formula One circuit and the infamous Nordschleife.

All information Copyright © 1999-2003 Swedespeed. All rights reserved.

No photos, news stories, graphics, or Swedespeed logos may be used or reproduced without written permission.
Volvo is a registered trademark of Volvo Car Corporation and Ford Motor Company. Swedespeed is an independent media publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Volvo Car Corporation