Moraes, Viso And Sato Have Showed Speed For Road Courses

[Mark H]

The three KV Racing Technology drivers — Mario Moraes, E.J. Viso and Takuma Sato — are looking forward to the challenges of the tough Infineon Raceway road circuit this weekend in the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma.

All three racers have shown impressive displays on road courses this year in the IZOD IndyCar Series and come off a testing session last week on the 2.303-mile, 12-turn track with solid optimism.

Mario Moraes, just age 21, finished fourth last year for KVRT at the grueling Infineon race track and the talented Brazilian expects another strong performance in his No. 32 KV Racing Technology Honda/Dallara/Firestone machine when practice begins Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. Moraes has scored three top-ten road racing finishes this year and currently seeks a position in the top-ten in the point standings.

Moraes is suffering from an injured right wrist that occurred in the Edmonton race last month, but soldiered through a tough race two weeks ago at Mid-Ohio to improve his run for the top-ten in season-ending points.

Viso, driving the No. 8 PDVSA—KVRT Honda/Dallara/Firestone car, was sensational in his debut at Infineon Raceway in 2008 when he led the event for nine laps. The 25-year-old Venezuelan has been on a roll in road course qualifying as of late with a top-six at Edmonton and an eighth at Mid-Ohio.

Viso also has a podium finish this year for KVRT with a third place on the oval at Iowa Speedway. He recently tested at Infineon Raceway which could help the personable racer move back into the coveted Firestone Fast Six qualifying round on Saturday afternoon.

Sato, the Formula One veteran, has been spectacular this year in his rookie campaign on the permanent road circuits by qualifying in all three Firestone Fast Six rounds including a season-best third two weeks ago at Mid-Ohio. Driving the stunning green and gold No. 5 Lotus—KVRT Honda/Dallara/Firestone car, Sato has continued his learning curve as a rookie on the 17-race IZOD IndyCar Series with the Japanese star’s impressive road course speed.

In addition, Sato has been just as strong on the oval tracks, a completely new racing form for the 33-year-old open-wheel veteran. At Iowa, he ran as high third and battled in the top-five in his first oval race at Kansas. But the road circuits are his home and look for Sato to be in contention in both qualifying and the race this weekend at Infineon Raceway.

The Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma is the final road race for the series in 2010 and will be televised live Sunday on Versus at 5 p.m. EDT. All three KV Racing Technology drivers are hoping to finish the road race portion of the series on a high note.

DRIVER QUOTES:

MARIO MORAES, #32 KV RACING TECHNOLOGY HONDA/DALLARA/FIRESTONE: “I like the Infineon track a lot. The changes in altitude and fast and slow chicanes make it very technical. Last year despite a brake problem, I was able to finish fourth. I am hoping we don't have the same problem but finish as well this year.”

TAKUMA SATO, #5 LOTUS - KV RACING TECHNOLOGY HONDA/DALLARA/FIRESTONE: “ It was my first visit to Infineon Raceway when we had a test there last week and I really enjoyed driving at this great venue. We did various set up work at the test and we collected very valuable data so I hope we can have a very strong race weekend. It is indeed a very challenging circuit with huge elevation changes; you just couldn’t see how steep the hills are on pictures… I think racing there will be very exciting and spectacular.”

E.J. VISO, #8 PDVSA - KV RACING TECHNOLOGY HONDA/DALLARA/FIRESTONE: “Going back to Sonoma after we had a productive test there last week will be a good positive. It is definitely one of the nicest places we have on the IZOD IndyCar calendar. The changes in altitude and good mix of corners make it difficult to setup the car. At some tracks, you are able to compromise the setup to improve the majority of the corners. But, at Infineon, there is such a variety, that the balance has to be really accurate which is why it is going to be tough. The field is also very close, so you need to have a good qualifying run. There are places to overtake, but being up front will definitely have its advantages in the race on Sunday.”

 

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