19.05.08 The positive trend continues at Spa

For the second time this season, Wolfgang Kaufmann drove Giovanni Lavaggi's LMP1 prototype in the Le Mans Series.

Wolfgang Kaufmann

Lavaggi LS 1 AER

Lavaggi LS 1 AER

Following the season-opening race of the 1000k race series at Barcelona, the team now worked on many details on the car that was first introduced in 2006.

“Of course, a small privateer team like us has no chance against the might of Audi, Peugeot, and Aston Martin. But I am happy to work on making Giovanni Lavaggi's vision, that of creating and campaigning his own car, reality. And seeing the effort Giovanni is putting in, I am convinced that we will work our way further up the LMP1 field”, the German professional outlines his ambitions.

Over the winter, the failure-prone Ford V8 was replaced with a tried and tested 4000cc twin turbo engine, and the electronics including the traction control system was substantially revised for the second race at Spa-Francorchamps.

“In between races, we have not been able to do any test runs; but still the car is improved in many aspects. At the moment the front end of the car still doesn't have enough mechanical grip. In tight corners, this is an obvious disadvantage. On the other hand, the LS1 is strong through the faster turns where aerodynamics are the key factor.”

In bright sunshine, Sunday's race was a decidedly positive experience for the San Remo-based team. Giovanni Lavaggi and Wolfgang Kaufmann covered two thirds of the 1000k distance without problem before a defective “99 cent item” ended their race. A mandatory cut-off valve in the fuel line came loose and blocked the fuel supply to the twin turbo V8 engine.

“For my home race on August 16/17 on the Nürburgring GP circuit, our goal is clearly to place the Lavaggi LS1 AER in an upper-midfield position, and bring this result home. I am very motivated for this race, and we hope to get Giovanni Lavaggi and his highly dedicated team, and also my tyre partner Dunlop, the desired result.”