Motegi, Japan (September 15, 2011)- Dreyer
& Reinbold Racing is rested and ready to race. The team
is eager to turn their luck around and make the most of the final
road course event of the season at the famous Twin Ring Motegi
circuit in Japan. This will mark Dreyer & Reinbold
Racing's ninth time to compete at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit, but
the first time on the 2.983-mile road course, and who better to do
it with than two racing pros, Giorgio Pantano who will pilot the
No. 22 Kona Deep machine, and Ana Beatriz who will get behind the
wheel of the No. 24 Ipiranga car.
DRR's best finish at the Twin Ring Motegi Circuit is 10th in
2003, 2007 and 2008.
Buddy Rice finished in 10th for the team in both 2007 and
2008.
After a very impressive showing at Infineon Raceway two weeks
ago and again at Baltimore, it was announced this week that Giorgio
Pantano will return to the team. He is ready to get back in the
cockpit again and continue to show everyone what he's got.
Not only did DRR announce Giorgio to pilot the No. 22 machine, but
they also announced Kona Deep will be the primary on his car.
The Hawaiian-based company joined forces as a sponsor partner
with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing last year and came back on board
this season. Kona Deep has served as a team associate for the 2011
IZOD IndyCar Series and will serve as the primary sponsor on the
No. 22 machine at The Final Indy Japan next week.
Although the Padua, Italy native is new to DRR, he is not new to
the IZOD IndyCar Series. Pantano, who is filling in again for the
injured Justin Wilson, has made his return to the IZOD IndyCar
Series after competing in the Auto GP Series last year and
Superleague Formula in 2009. The Italian brings a wide range of
experience to the table after winning the GP2 title in 2008,
competing in F3000, Formula One and IndyCar for two road course
events with Chip Ganassi Racing. In 2005, Pantano competed at
Infineon Raceway and Watkins Glen International Raceway with Chip
Ganassi Racing.
Ana Beatriz is ready to conquer the Twin Ring Motegi circuit.
The Brazilian continues to prove that she is graduating from rookie
status. Beatriz, secured her best IZOD IndyCar career qualifying
result in Sonoma a couple of weeks ago with a 10th place starting
spot. In July of this year, she earned her best IZOD IndyCar result
in Toronto, Canada when she brought the car home in 11th place.
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing will be on track for The Final
Japan Indy 300 in Motegi, Japan on September 17th. The race
telecast will air live on Saturday, September 17th at 11:30 pm
(EDT) on VERSUS. The race will air live on the IMS Radio Network,
XM channel 94, and Sirius channel 212.
What they have to say...
Giorgio Pantano, No. 22 Kona Deep: "I think that we
can have a good run. We did quite well at Sonoma, which was a road
course, and I hope that we can do well to be honest. When I was
racing in Europe, I ran on that type of circuit, like Twin Ring
Motegi, and I have more experience on that type of circuit. I
believe that we will do well there and I'm looking forward to
it."
Ana Beatriz, No. 24 Ipiranga: "I think that it's
going to be very interesting. It will be a new track to learn. I
watched some races that took place there and it looks like a fun
circuit. Hopefully we will have a great platform with our setup and
we can improve well and have a good result over the weekend."