Lotus HVM Racing has hired Shane Seneviratne as the team's new manager. Seneviratne (LEFT), former principal of U.S. RaceTronics, has an 18-year history in Indy Lights and the Atlantic Championship, where he scored multiple titles. Seneviratne fills the position vacated by outgoing team manager Vince Kremer, who has accepted a new position in Indy Lights.
"It is with bittersweet regret that I move on from HVM Racing to pursue an opportunity with the Firestone Indy Lights series," Kremer said. "Having been a part of this operation since 1998 I have amassed many good memories and lifelong friendships. I wish nothing but continued success for HVM, Simona de Silvestro, Entergy and all of our commercial partners. I would also like to personally express my thanks and gratitude to Keith Wiggins for giving me the opportunity to grow professionally within the industry."
As part of Dorricott Racing from 1993-2004, Seneviratne was an integral part of winning championships in 1999, 2001 and 2002 with drivers Oriol Servia, Townsend Bell and Jon Fogarty, respectively. In 1999, Dorricott became the first team to achieve the top three positions in the Indy Lights championship.
In late 2004, Seneviratne formed U.S. RaceTronics to compete in the 2005 Atlantic Championship and immediately achieved success with multiple top-five finishes. Between 2006 and 2008 success continued with three poles, 12 podiums and one win (Carl Skerlong, New Jersey 2008) while the team consistently challenged for the championship.
In 2009, U.S. RaceTronics teamed with co-team principal Imran Safiulla to form Team Stargate Worlds. The newly formed partnership generated instant success in grooming de Silvestro to achieve a female record of four poles and four wins in the 2009 Atlantic season. In the team's six-year history it has garnered five wins, seven poles, and 21 podiums finishes as part of the Cooper Tire Atlantic Championship Series.
"First of all, we would like to thank Vince for over 11 years of dedication to our organization," said Lotus HVM team owner Keith Wiggins. "We also welcome the appointment of Shane as our new team manager. Like many of us when we progressed through our careers, he brings qualities demonstrated in the lower categories to the next level of series with fresh determination and proven organizational and people skills, vital to our progress."
"I'm excited to be part of HVM Racing and happy to help Simona once more continue her remarkable racing career," Seneviratne said. "The new IndyCar brings new challenges to teams that have not had to be dealt with for many years. I'm looking forward to contributing to this team in overcoming these challenges, and in strengthening the great chemistry that exists within HVM Racing."
De Silvestro, who formerly worked with Seneviratne in the 2009 Atlantic Championship, was delighted with the news.
"Shane is awesome. I'm really excited to have the chance to work with him again," she said. "We had great success together in 2009 and, hopefully, it will be the same here in IndyCar."