Lotus Does Not Practice Due To Cold Conditions

Lotus did not turn a wheel today due to extremely cold and blustery conditions at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana.

With temperatures hovering in the high 40’s and a stiff wind blowing, team officials felt that nothing of value could be learned by practicing today and that the risk of damaging the cars outweighed anything that could be gained.  Most of the other competitors agreed as only two cars ran a total of 13 laps today.  In the first four days of practice for the 2011 Indianapolis 500, KVRT – Lotus has not been on track twice and one of the two days they were was shortened.  In addition to today’s weather related problems, Opening Day, Saturday, May 14 was abbreviated and Sunday, May 15 was cancelled due to rain.

Today’s inclement weather however did not go to waste as the team took the opportunity to practice pit stops in preparation for tomorrow’s IZOD Pit Stop Competition qualifying.   Nine crews, including Takuma Sato’s No. 5 KV Racing Technology – Lotus crew, have already qualified for the event based on their pit stop performance at previous races.  A total of nine other crews will compete tomorrow starting at 9:00 a.m. to fill the final three slots.   The IZOD Pit Stop Competition will be held on Carburetion Day, Friday, May 27 from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. ET.

With essentially only a day and a half of practice, Tony Kanaan, No. 82 GEICO – KV Racing Technology – Lotus, has recorded the team’s fastest lap with a speed of 223.033 mph.  He has run a total of 50 laps.   Takuma Sato, No. 5 KV Racing Technology – Lotus, has a top speed 222.505 mph in 57 laps, while E. J. Viso, No. 59 PDVSA - KV Racing Technology – Lotus, the team leader in laps completed with 67, has posted a speed of 221.096 mph.

KVRT - Lotus will attempt to resume practice tomorrow, weather permitting, in preparation for next weekend’s Indianapolis 500 qualifying.  The 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 will be held Sunday, May 29.  It will be broadcast live on ABC beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET.