HVM Status GP will launch its testing program this week with a two-day session at Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, beginning Feb. 28 as part of their preparations for the FIA World Endurance Championship. The team's Lola-Judd B12/80 coupe will run an exclusive session on the 2.915-mile Portimão track to evaluate a series of updates for the WEC campaign, which begins on April 14 at the 6 Hours of Silverstone race in England.
The test marks the first on-track effort for the collaboration between IndyCar team HVM Racing and UK-based Status GP since they formed their alliance at the end of last year. The team will work on tire compound evaluations, while technical partners Lola and Engine Developments will attend the test to oversee chassis and powertrain developments.
"It's good to be finally getting underway with 2013," said HVM Status GP team co-principal Keith Wiggins. "We are really excited to begin our on-track development, as well as developing and building on our current driver lineup."
HVM Status GP's sportscar team co-principal David Kennedy added: "We have lots of developments on the car and engine to try out in addition, so we have a full program across the two days. There's a raft of improvements we've been working on and we believe we will see some significant steps forward."
The 2013 WEC schedule consists of eight endurance races spanning the globe, including the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. HVM Status GP have a second private test lined up in Spain in mid-March before attending the official WEC pre-season test at Circuit Paul Ricard on March 29-30.
"The competition is very strong in WEC and the challenge of a true 'World Championship' is very exciting," Wiggins said. "We believe the partnership with Status GP and the wealth of knowledge they have coupled with the resources that have been added to our combined team makes us a strong contender."
Details on HVM Status GP's driver line-up for the WEC will be announced in the near future.