Zytek Engineering begins busy season with Estoril test

Quifel-ASM took delivery of its new Ginetta-Zytek GZ09S/2 LMP2 last week. The Portuguese team successfully completed a shakedown of its new car at the Aut¢dromo do Estoril. The Ginetta-Zytek ran faultlessly for 78 laps of the Portuguese track, completing over 320km. Although the weather was far from ideal, the shakedown provided an opportunity for Miguel Amaral to experience the Ginetta-Zytek for the first time and allowed Olivier Pla to renew his acquaintance with the machinery. The Frenchman previously tested an LMP2 Ginetta-Zytek at Snetterton and raced an LMP1 version at Petit Le Mans in 2008.

Quifel-ASM driver Olivier Pla enthused "The car felt very good, there are some differences between the GZ09S/2 we were testing this week and the 07S/2 I drove last year, but the car feels very familiar, the balance is still very good. We had a very productive test until the bad weather set in. We completed a lot of miles and the car was very reliable which is a good sign. Obviously I know the quality of the Ginetta-Zytek chassis from my previous experience, but the GZ09S/2 is another step forward."

In 2009, Quifel-ASM will compete in the Le Mans Series with Miguel Amaral and Oliver Pla at the wheel, it has also submitted an entry for the Le Mans 24 Hours. Quifel-ASM will complete further testing of their new Ginetta-Zytek during February again at the Estoril circuit.

Also present during the test was a Ginetta G50Z continuing the development of the 3.4 Litre Zytek ZG348 housed in a Ginetta G50 chassis. The G50Z, driven by Danny Watts, was as reliable as its prototype cousin, completing the test without any significant issues and providing valuable data for the progression of this exciting project.

Ginetta Cars Richard Dean commented "the G50Z was faultless; we are delighted with the test and certainly very pleased with the pace of the car. This car can win races in GT championships; it is a serious piece of kit".

Ginetta received its first customer order for the new GT specification G50 at Estoril.

Completing a busy few weeks for Zytek will be the shakedown of Strakka Racing's Ginetta-Zytek GZ09S/1 LMP1. Strakka will be heading to The Aut¢dromo Internacional do Algarve on the 18th-19th February where Zytek will hand the car over and regular drivers Peter Hardman and Nick Leventis will give the new Ginetta-Zytek GZ09S/1 its maiden outing. Strakka will be announcing a third driver within the next few weeks.