KV Racing
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KV Racing is an auto racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series. The team has also sponsored several drivers in the Champ Car Atlantic Championship.
The team was formed as PK Racing before the 2003 season by Australian businessman Kevin Kalkhoven and former Formula One team manager Craig Pollock from the remnants of the PacWest team. The team fielded one car and employed several drivers including Patrick Lemarié, Bryan Herta, Max Papis and Mika Salo in its first year, scoring a best result of 3rd late in the season.
For 2004, the team was significantly revamped. The team was renamed to PKV Racing, as businessman Dan Pettit and veteran driver Jimmy Vasser replaced Pollock as co-owners. The team also expanded to field two cars for Vasser and rookie Roberto Gonzalez . However, race results were mediocre.
The following year, PKV replaced Gonzalez with former series champion Cristiano da Matta and the team finally took its first win with da Matta at Portland. Da Matta faded to finish outside the championship top 10, while Jimmy had a solid season, coming 6th overall with no results better than 3rd.
For 2006, the team fielded full season entries for veteran Oriol Servia and rookie Katherine Legge. Vasser raced a third car at Long Beach for the season opener, and left open the possibility of further appearances later in the season. He did not race again in 2006, and has now retired from racing. He did, however, spend a day testing the new Panoz DP01 chassis in January of 2007.
The team's 2007 driver lineup was #21 Neel Jani, and #22 Tristan Gommendy. For 2008 the team has confirmed the return of Oriol Servia, and was slated to race once again in the Champ Car World Series. However, the resulting unification of open wheel racing in North America increased speculation as to who would drive the second car. Kalkhoven confirmed that his team will race in the IndyCar Series.
[edit] 2008 IndyCar Series
In 2008, Dan Pettit ceased his ownership role in the team and the team's name became KV Racing Technology to reflect its current ownership of Kalkhoven and Vasser. Craig Gore has taken his Team Australia sponsorship from Walker Racing to KV Racing for the 2008 IndyCar Series.
The first race at Homestead-Miami was difficult for Power who retired early, while Servia ran well for 12th, up against the might of the established IndyCar teams.
St. Petersburg looked hopeful for Power, who qualified on row two, but the chaos of the rain-affected race saw him drop to 8th, behind team mate Servia.
Power delivered the team its first victory since 2005 in the Champ Car finale, the 2008 Long Beach Grand Prix and received first place IndyCar Series points for his win. His win saw him move up to5th in the points, with Servia 8th at that stage in the championship.
[edit] Past drivers
Cristiano Da Matta (2005)
Jorge Goeters (2005)
Tristan Gommendy (2007)- Roberto Gonzalez (2004)
Bryan Herta (2003)
Neel Jani (2007)
Katherine Legge (2006)- Patrick Lemarié (2003)
Max Papis (2003)
Will Power (2008)
Mika Salo (2003)
Oriol Servia (2006-2008)- Jimmy Vasser (2004-2006, 2008)
[edit] External links
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