24 Hours of Le Mans

Convers and MenX join forces for Le Mans

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 and was selected also for 24 Hours Le Mans. 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.

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Both parties took part in the LMES last year when they were often involved in close fights but key people quickly found out during winter break that there are common interests and views and decided to make a partnership. “It is a great honor for us to support auto sport. We understand that at this juncture partnership among the countries of Eastern Europe is necessary for auto sport as well as for other developing fields. By analogy we made our strategy in banking business. We form 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.

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The team will be fully based in Eastern Europe region, as the Care Racing owned Ferrari 550 Maranello will be prepared by MenX crew in the Czech Republic. The choice of the Maranello has been quite straightforward and based on last year experience when the car showed all round qualities. Combining with Michelin tyres the team is confident of having very competitive package. Drivers always play an important role and their cooperation 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. MenX technicians proved in their first season with the Maranello that they are capable of preparing quick and reliable car.

Robert Pergl Q&A

The partnership with Conversbank is 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 a 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. 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 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.

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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 doing. My impressions about Robert and Peter are very good and I expect no problems in working with the team and 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 to setup such atmosphere 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 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.

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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 like 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 a room for an improvement.

You know the Prodrive built F550 very well, what are the strengths of the car and how do you rate it comparing to 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 new Corvette are quick but 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 if for the team to have one season 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 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 out maximum 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 races.

How happy are you with F550?

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