Le Mans Series

Convers and MenX join forces with Care Racing for 2006

The Russian Conversbank and the Czech MenX team have formed a new partnership for entry into the GT1 class of the 2006 Le Mans Series. The Eastern Europe-based Convers MenX Team will field one Care Racing supported Ferrari 550 Maranello which will be driven by Peter Kox, Robert Pergl and Alexei Vasiliev.

© Planetlemans.com - Frank Feenstra

Both parties took part in the LMES last year, competing in Care Racing Ferraris, and they were often involved in close track battles. Key personnel on both sides found out during the winter break that they shared common interests and views, and decided to make a partnership.

“It is a great honor for us to support motorsport. We understand that at this juncture partnership among the countries of Eastern Europe is necessary for motorsport as well as for other developing fields. By analogy we made our strategy in the banking business. We formed our Group on the basis of Eastern Europe. The philosophy of the successful development is the same for sport and business,” said Vladimir Antonov, Head of the Conversbank Financial Group.

The team will be fully based in the Eastern Europe region as the Ferrari 550 Maranello will be prepared by the MenX crew in the Czech Republic. The team felt that the choice of a Maranello was quite straightforward, based on last year’s experiences when the car showed its all-round qualities of performance, reliability and endurance. Combined with its decision to remain on Michelin tyres, the team is confident of having a very competitive package.

Drivers always play an important role and their co-operation is crucial. The team believe that they have got in Peter Kox, Robert Pergl and Alexei Vasiliev a fine line-up that will be able to fight at the front of the GT1 pack. All three drivers raced in the LMES last year and have experience with the 550. The MenX technicians also proved in their first season with the Maranello that they are capable of preparing a quick and reliable car.

The Convers MenX Team has applied for the whole LMS season, and also submitted an entry to 24 Hours Le Mans race.

Robert Pergl Q&A

The partnership with Conversbank is the start of a new era for the team that is connected to your career, what do you think about cooperation with a Russian company?

We were offered a deal and quickly found out that we have mutual aims and philosophies. We are confident that it brings advantages to both parties. First of all, I believe that there is big potential in Russia for the future. It is a big country with many possibilities. We want to establish a good partnership that will work successfully not only this year but also in the future. The whole team is based in Eastern Europe and that in my view represents a major step and a clear message to the motorsport world.

What do you expect from the upcoming season?

It is only logical to aim for better results than last year. We want to fight at the front of the pack again. We do not know the full grid for the LMS season yet but I want to score podiums and wins again.

How do you assess your team mates?

Peter is a great asset for the team because he brings not only speed and reliability but also experience. Moreover, he is a very nice person and it is a pleasure to work with him. He knows the team very well from last year, which is an added bonus. I have never worked with Alexei in the same team, but we were competing in the FIA GT and LMES in the past and I know that he is good in all conditions.

Alexei Vasiliev Q&A

How do you think you will adapt to a new environment and team-mates?

I am really looking forward to the season. We were competing with different teams for a few years and obviously we were also looking what the others were doing. My impressions about Robert and Peter are very good, and I expect no problems in working with the team and my team-mates. The most important thing is that we have to work as a team; everybody must have the same aim and I know that the team is capable of setting up such an atmosphere, one that I was missing last year.

Do you think that you can improve your game as well?

As I said, you need to feel one hundred percent comfortably to show your best. Even some small issues can make a big difference and I know that I can put in better performances.

What is your aim?

I scored podiums last year and you always want to improve, so it is only logical that I hope to get to the top step of the podium.

Peter Kox Q&A

Why have you decided to work with Convers MenX team?

I was working with MenX last year and the team did a good job in their first season in the LMES. I felt quickly at home, and we were improving the car during the course of the season. It is nice to be part of the new project with Convers and we should have a strong package car, tyres, drivers and team. We all have experience from last season in the LMES and if we can use it in the right way we should make another step forward. There is definitely room for an improvement.

You know the Prodrive-built Ferrari 550 very well. What are the strengths of the car and how do you rate it compared to the opposition?

The car has a proven record as a race winner and I think that, combined with Michelin tyres, we should have a really good package. Aston and the new Corvette are quick but the ACO measure their pace so we should stand well against them.

What results would satisfy you?

We still do not know the opposition but if you look at the results from last year we should be able to fight for podiums and wins. A lot will depend on how we the drivers will work together. I know that Robert improved last year. I have not worked with Alexei yet but he did a good job last year and I believe that we will work well together.

Ivo Horn, technical director Q&A

How useful is it for the team to have experience with the F550?

We hope that we will benefit from that experience. Of course, Donington will be new to us but we know all the other tracks. However, the main point is that we understand the car better. We know how to work with it and with Michelin in order to get the maximum out of the package. The most important part will be, as always, to be reliable and we hope to maintain our great record from last year. It is very important to finish all the races.

How happy are you with the F550?

We have been monitoring the situation carefully and we are comfortable with our decision. The Care Racing Ferrari 550 Maranello is a very quick and reliable car. We believe that we will be able to improve it even more with the knowledge we gained from last season. And last, but not least, the Ferrari name is a real myth around the whole world. It is a very special company which has always been connected to motorsport.

© 2006 Planetlemans.com.