Michael Illbruck is very much looking forward to the coming motor sport season. Illbruck and the Team Pinta Racing from Munich is this year again committed to the VLN endurance racing championship and the International 24 Hour Race at the Nürburgring. “We will furthermore compete in several other race events at the Hockenheim and Vallelunga circuits and show our potential there.” However, before the brand new Porsche 977 GT3 R will for the first time be involved in true racing action, the team has already completed some tests.
First test sessions took place at the beginning February in Alcarras, Spain. In addition to Illbruck, Altfried Heger had the opportunity to also drive the race car. “Altfried Heger will join our team for the whole season. I am convinced that we complement each other very well and I am sure that we will be a good driver duo”, said Illbruck. Heger is nevertheless not new in the team of Pinta Racing. The former DTM professional driver had already joined the team for several 24 Hour Races at the Nürburgring. “At the tests I already realized that Altfried completes the team perfectly”, said a happy Illbruck about the new team mate.
For the race driver from Munich, the test sessions are an important detail in the planning for the season. “We want to be perfectly prepared for the season and don’t want to leave anything to chance.” The good times at the Alcarras circuit demonstrated that both drivers got used to the new car very quickly. The biggest change for both was to get used to the paddle shift system on the steering wheel. “This allows for a more precise handling of the car. I can take it easier and do no longer need to take my hands from the steering wheel”, says Michael Illbruck who seems to be enthusiastic about this new element.
The targets for the 2012 season are clearly defined: “We wish to continuously follow up our performance from 2011. We will work hard and try to improve our reliability. This should bring us to the results we are looking for.” With this philosophy, Pinta Racing was able to celebrate great successes last year at the 24 Hour Race and at the eighth round of the VLN series. The former sailing sportsman knows that one can only achieve positive results with constant and hard work. “If you wish to be successful you must also be able to cope with disappointments and be determined to follow your strategy.” Illbruck hopes that their big efforts will bear fruit in the endurance racing championship 2012.
