6-2-2007 - Colin in France for LeMans Pre Qualifying

RISI COMPETIZIONE - 24 HOURS OF LE MANS PREVIEW  

Risi Competizione Ferrari 430 GT no. 99:            Colin Braun (USA)

                                                                           Nic Jönsson (SWE)

                                                                           Tracy W Krohn (USA) 

American Le Mans Series GT2 Champions, Risi Competizione, together with its fellow Houston-based racing partner Krohn Racing, will be looking for nothing less than class victory in the 75^th running of the most famous sportscar race in the world, the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 16^th/17^th June.  A win would not only add significantly to the team’s 2007 success record, but it would also be the perfect 60^th Anniversary gift from the sportscar world to Ferrari SpA. 

The tight-knit, privately owned team, under the control of Giuseppe Risi, is returning to La Sarthe for the first time since 2003 with two Ferrari 430 GT cars. While confident of the Ferrari’s proven speed and reliability, no one is under any illusions about the challenge ahead from all the GT competitors, particularly the strong Porsche teams  - the German marque being the only one to have an edge over Ferrari in terms of participation at Le Mans. 

A focused development programme has been run in line with the American Le Mans Series races to date, and Giuseppe Risi is assured of the car’s capabilities and its talented and enthusiastic driver line up.  

“Obviously we go to Le Mans with the same aim as we do for all our races,” said Risi.  “Victory. Ferrari has a very special relationship with the 24 Hours of Le Mans, being one of the two most successful marques in its history, and the two cars entered by Risi Competizione in 2007 will be racing to uphold that honour.  

“I’m confident we’ve got a good package with a race-winning, proven car, strong engine, great tyres and consistent, solid drivers,” continued Risi.  "Having said that, we would never underestimate the magnitude of the race, and the knowledge that anything can happen at any time, and that will keep us sharp.”

 The ‘right’ package includes the Ferrari-developed 4-litre V8 engine, a good aerodynamic set up, race-proven Michelin tyres, and a multi national, star-studded driver line up which includes a mix of experience, youth and international racing success.

 The three Krohn Racing drivers entered in car 99 as a result of the special five-race racing relationship between Risi and Krohn Racing, feature an ideal mix of experience, youth and enthusiasm.   

Tracy W Krohn, of Houston, Texas, is team owner/driver of the two-car Krohn Racing Daytona Prototype team in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, and he will be taking his second Le Mans start, having made his debut at La Sarthe in 2006.  He races with the very talented, 18-year-old Colin Braun, also from Texas – who is the only one of the entire driver line up not to have visited Le Mans before.  They will be guided and helped as always by the highly experienced Nic Jönsson, Krohn’s regular team mate in Grand-Am and with whom he raced at Sebring and Houston.   

Colin Braun:  “I am really excited about driving at Le Mans for the first time.  I went there last year as a spectator and really enjoyed the whole event, and got a feel for the history of the race.  To go there now as a Krohn Racing driver and be in a Risi Competizione car is going to be a lot of fun and something I’m really looking forward to.” 

Nic Jönsson:  “It’s absolutely great to be back at Le Mans, the greatest race in the world.  I think I’m more relaxed this year, and more confident as I know where everything is and know about the track.  It’s great to be with Tracy and Colin as we all know each other very well and to be with the Risi Competizione team.  It’s a tremendous honour to be part of that.” 

Tracy W. Krohn:  “I’m really ready to get into the car again at Le Mans and am delighted to be back there.  Hopefully my second time will be charmed.  The Ferrari is an extremely well balanced car and easier to drive than the Porsche of last year so we’ll definitely give Porsche and the others a run for their money.  I’m really looking to a podium finish.” 

The race, which begins at 3.00pm (local, 9.00am CDT) on the 16^th/17^th June will be seen by over 230,000 spectators, 217 million TV viewers worldwide, and reported on by 2,300 journalists from over 38 nations.  For regular updates and information on the Risi Competizione team’s quest for success, go to www.risicompetizione.com or www.krohnracing.net