What about Spyker's GT programme?

[Aslak Vind]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Narrow and crowded non-permanent course + lots of amateur drivers = not the place where you want to endanger a new car, especially when you can win with your old and you mostly race their to please your sponsor.

Nothing but a sponsorrun aka waste of time..

Lets face it, running against that crowd the biggest danger is to bend your car.

[Garp]

'Nothing but a sponsorrun aka waste of time..'
(what are you thinking??? racing costs nothing!!)

I think this was the only race they attended that made sence.
First get the team healthy and then try to go forward step by step.

Although I'm afreight Spyker agrees that it was a waste of time.

[GTfour]

At least it made the money uncle happy and showed many a Lithuanian what a proper racecar can do.

However,it's time Spyker realizes that they really have to step up their game if they want to prevent looking like unreliable "also runs". They've had over four years of GT experience now and with the likes of BMW and Aston coming in to the fray,it's either do or die time...

I hope that inside the Spykerfactory,it will be the ones with honour for their country and glory for themselves who'll decide what next step to take instead of the ones who're just only interested in making as much profit from the marque as possible...(I'm not calling any names...)

[Garp]

I don't think lack of honour and glory is the problem.
Till now the only focus was racing, without looking at revenue.
Do you think that the Squadron ever closed a year with black figures?
Till this year they were totaly dependent on what money was left
of their parent company.

First they need a solid revenue base and after that they can think
of improving performance on the track.

[AX lover]

VOLVO DELIVERS NEW TRUCKS FOR SPYKER SQUADRON

Zeewolde, 9 august 2008 - Earlier this year Volvo Truck Nederland and Spyker Squadron negotiated an agreement for the use of two Volvo trucks until the end of the 2010 race season. The trucks will be used to transport the race trailers with the race cars of the SNORAS Spyker Squadron team that races in the famous 24-hours of Le Mans and in the Le Mans Series. Last Friday, at the Spyker Cars factory in Zeewolde, Spyker Squadron took delivery of their two state of the art Volvo FH520 Trucks.

The Volvo FH is the perfect choice for transporting Spyker’s cars and equipment over long distances. Both trucks have the most powerful version of Volvo’s 12.8 litre in-line 6-cylinder diesel engine with turbocharger and intercooler; it delivers 520 horsepower and 2500 Nm torque. The horsepower and torque delivered by the Euro 5 engine are transfered via Volvo’s famous I-Shift automatic transmission to the rear axle. The automatic gearbox not only delivers great comfort to the driver it also improves maneuverability and reduces fuel economy.

Optimum comfort for the chauffeurs is ensured by the Globetrotter XL cab. With its extra height it offers a generous sleeping accommodation, standing height, lots of interior space and good storage facilities.

Peter van Erp, managing director of Spyker Squadron: “I am delighted with this agreement with Volvo Truck Nederland. Our new Volvo FH trucks are perfectly suited to economically transport the team’s race cars and all our equipment over long distances to races and test throughout Europe. The Volvo FH520’s are really the next step for Spyker Squadron in image and professionalism”.

Rob Schram, Manager Commercial Trucks of Volvo Truck Nederland: “Besides the Spyker brand and its charming designs it were the Spyker people that immensely impressed me. They have had so many challenges in their short history and it is very encouraging to see how keen and motivated they are to make Spyker a success. In the near future Volvo Trucks will launch a truck with the most powerful engine available in the industry and we will jointly organise events with Spyker to support the launch of our new flagship”.

The new Volvo trucks will be used for the first time this week as the next race for the Dutch team will be the fourth round in the Le Mans Series, the 1000 km of the Nürburgring August 17.

Source: http://www.spykersquadron.com/?pag=71&newsid=585

[ger80]

Will both cars have the new engine at the Ring?

[Aslak Vind]

Hopefully, they introduced it at Le Mans?

[Marcel ten Caat]

Yes they will.

[AX lover]

SPYKER SQUADRON Nürburgring preview

Zeewolde, 13 august 2008 - After a short break racing resumes this weekend for SNORAS Spyker Squadron. The fourth round of the Le Mans Series; the 1000 km of the Nürburgring is the team’s second last race this year.

After their overall victory of the Omnitel 1000 km last month it is back to business for the majority of the team after having enjoyed a short vacation. Immediately after the 24 Hours of Le Mans, held mid-June, the Squadron engineers and mechanics continued to further develop the car. Both cars will appear at the start this weekend with the engines that have the new flat plane crankshaft layout as tested in an earlier Le Mans Series race at Spa. A number of small improvements have been made to improve the engine reliability. The cars also have aerodynamic improvements and will be fitted with a new rear wing and front splitter.

Peter Dumbreck, Ralf Kelleners and Alexei Vasilliev will drive the number 85 Spyker Squadron C8 Laviolette GT2R and behind the wheel of the Speedy Racing car we can also find familiar faces: Andrea Chiesa and Benjamin Leuenberger will be driving the Swiss car.

Peter van Erp, managing director Spyker Squadron: “The Nürburgring, with its low grip levels, is always a tough track for us. Although we have been on the podium here in the past, it was always a challenge to quickly find a good setup. This year it will be the first time that we will race the Michelin tires here so I am curious if our quest for a good setup has changed in our favor”.

He continues: “I hope that in this race, but also in the last race at Silverstone, luck is on our side and we can finish in top-5 - that is absolutely the level we are aiming at. If we can work-out a good setup in the free practice session and grip levels permit, we will try to push in the race and drive progressively”.

Two free practices sessions are in the agenda this Friday followed by the third one-hour session on Saturday. Saturday afternoon there is the regular 20 minute GT qualifying session. The 1000 km or six-hour race will start this Sunday at 12:05.

Source: http://www.spykersquadron.com/?pag=71&newsid=587

[GTfour]

At least there's the Gilette Vertigo now,with a crossplane 4.0 V8 to carry the beautifull rumble of the old Spyker engine...

Not a bad result for Spyker at the ring though. Have they finally made use of the roofintake to feed the engine it's required air?

[bil588]

5th place in round 4

http://www.planetlemans.com/2008/08/...t-nurburgring/

what are the plans for 2009?

[AX lover]

I guess they will be there in 2009, but after reading the ACO rules for 2009 I fear the worst. Why? Because of this new rule:

-1 engine must last 2 races in the LMS, ALMS and Asia series.

Because we all know that the engine is the achilles heel of the Spyker. Most of the time it will just manage to finish a 1000 km race. So I guess two races with one engine will be a problem.

[Gil Abobeleira]

Originally Posted by AX lover

Because we all know that the engine is the achilles heel of the Spyker. Most of the time it will just manage to finish a 1000 km race. So I guess two races with one engine will be a problem.

Then start at the back of a 1000 km race. Is that a big problem in a 6 hour enduro? I think not.

[Stephan2738]

Originally Posted by bil588

what are the plans for 2009?

I agree with AX lover:

Originally Posted by AX lover

I guess they will be there in 2009

Here are a couple of hints that indicate that they will be there next year (and beyond):

They have this arrangement with Volvo that they will use Volvo trucks to carry their race equipment until the end of the 2010 race season: http://www.spykersquadron.com/?pag=71&newsid=585
Source: Spykersquadron.com the Spyker Squadron site

Spyker introduced a special limited edition laviolette road car of the Le Mans Laviolette racer. Only 24 will be build and their owners will be given a special VIP treat for the Le Mans 2009 race: http://www.spykerowner.com/forum/spy...r-c8-lm85.html (post #8)
Source: Spykerowner.com the Spyker forum

[dxk1]

Nice finish for Spyker at Silverstone today, a 4th and an 8th. Both cars finished, this bodes well for next year if they can continue to improve!

DK

[AX lover]

I do hope that the Squadron continues in 2009. And that they can somehow solve the problem with the reliability of the engine. Maybe they can switch to the American V8 they will be using in their SUV? And if I understand it correctly they also want to use this engine in new C8 Aileron (in the long run).

[AX lover]

A nice quote from Victor Muller after the Silverstone race regarding the 2009 season:

"This season should be seen as a general rehearsal for next year having recovered from 2007 in which we simply did not have the funds to develop our cars further. That has all changed now and we are anxious looking forward to the 2009 season after having executed an intense winter development program. We will not rest until we win."

Let's hope they indeed have the money to set up an intense winter development program!

[AX lover]

Not real racing news, but Spyker unveiled a roadversion of the C8 Laviolette GT2R, called the C8 Laviolette LM85.

C8 LAVIOLETTE LM85

Spyker introduces the C8 Laviolette LM85 of which a maximum of 24 production slots are being offered.

The LM85 has been designed in the spirit of our Spyker Squadron GT2 (LMES) race cars and sports a GT2 inspired livery. The LM85 is named after the starting number of our GT2 cars we have had at Le Mans since 2002.
The LM85 specification list is exhaustive with exclusive elements incorporated. All 24 LM85 owners are special guest during the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June 2009. Furthermore, a special Chronoswiss 24 Hours Pilot Watch is part of the offer.

The LM85 is an advanced mid-engine, two-seat sports car.

It is characterized by a lightweight all aluminium body construction and an uncompromising engineering package. The powertrain of the LM85 is the all aluminium Audi 4.2 Litre V8 engine producing 400 bhp. This is paired to a manual six-speed Getrag gearbox, driving the rear wheels with a Drexler limited slip differential. The use of aluminium parts and other lightweight materials results in an impressive power-to-weight ratio and underlines the GT2 racing heritage of the LM85.

Based on the Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R, the racing characterisitics of the LM85 are numerous, such as the structural aluminium chassis, GT2 livery (Burnt Almond Orange with Gun Metal 'S' logo), side mirrors in Gun Metal, a carbon fibre rear spoiler, and GT2 windscreen streamer. Behind the black powder coated alloy wheels, black AP Racing 6 piston brake calipers with AP Racing logo appear.

Le Mans Race weekend

Racing is of key importance to Spyker as it breeds the brand and highlights the endurance and performance capabilities of our cars. Spyker therefore has had its own factory race team since its inception in 2000: Spyker Squadron. In 2009 Spyker Squadron will participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the seventh time. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a unique event for both racing fans and drivers. As part of the LM85 offering all LM85 owners are invited to celebrate and experience the 24 hours of Le Mans 2009. During this VIP Hospitality weekend, Spyker hosts the owner and guest at the most famous sports car endurance race, held on the "Circuit de la Sarthe".

The Le Mans experience includes:
• Two Round-Trip Business class tickets from city of residence to Amsterdam, the Netherlands
• Two Round-Trip tickets from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on board of the "Spyker plane" to Le Mans Airport in France
• Passes to the "24 Hours of Le Mans" race track on June 13/14, 2009
• Passes to the Spyker Hospitality Area
• Passes to the Spyker VIP Lounge
• Pit walk
• Dinner with founder and CEO of Spyker, Victor Muller
• Meet & Greet with Spyker Squadron members and race drivers
• Access to the pit lane during the race
• Saturday night accomodation at the "Spyker Hotel"
• All food and beverages
• Spyker cap and Le Mans Team Wear

More information: http://www.spykercars.com/?pag=127

[Aslak Vind]

Gotta love that design, it looks really cool and racelike. When I got the pressrelease, I stared at it for a long time

Love the Spyker styling! Especially the wheels and the interior.

Thank you

[The Badger]

Hope to see them back again in 09 , any news about them please ?

[lukebarcelos]

The Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 is very expensive???

[vandijk]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Hope to see them back again in 09 , any news about them please ?

Their winter test programme is making good progress. The first tests have been completed in Germany over the last weeks. More testing is planned in a milder climate later this month.

[Aslak Vind]

Originally Posted by lukebarcelos

The Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 is very expensive???

Dont tell me, that you are surprised. All Spykers are expensive, thats the deal with handbuildt cars, mate

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by vandijk

Their winter test programme is making good progress. The first tests have been completed in Germany over the last weeks. More testing is planned in a milder climate later this month.

Are they planning on some more engine mods for next year ?

You gotta hand it to them , for sticking with the project . Hope it all comes good for them , great little team with a beautiful car .

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by Aslak Vind

Dont tell me, that you are surprised. All Spykers are expensive, thats the deal with handbuildt cars, mate

How much wedge are you talking about ?