ADVANCE NOTES/QUOTES---- Indianapolis, IN, July 17,
2012
Fast Facts:
- As Panther DRR heads into the 11th round of the 2012
IZOD IndyCar season, Hurco will be the primary for the first time
on the No. 22 car of Oriol Servia for the Edmonton Indy in
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada this weekend. The global industrial
automation company joined the team last year as a strategic partner
in which there is a fully furnished Hurco machine shop in the
team's Indianapolis facility as well as the Hurco logo featured on
the Panther DRR machine throughout the season.
Hurco is a leader in advanced manufacturing
technology for the worldwide metal cutting
market. Founded in Indianapolis 44 years ago, Hurco holds
numerous patents for manufacturing technology and
continues to revolutionize the industry with its
development of computerized machine tools that increase efficiency
and productivity, which ultimately makes Hurco
customers more profitable. The broad line of
Hurco computerized machine tools is used to make parts and molds
for nearly every industry, including motorsports,
automotive, aerospace, defense, energy/mining,
agricultural equipment, medical, electronics, and consumer
products.
"We are proud to have Hurco be the primary on the
car this weekend. We love having the ability of
the Hurco machines at our shop to keep us on the cutting edge
for this new generation of racing. Our Hurco
relationship gives us that advantage you look for in
this sport," stated Panther DRR Co-Owner Robbie Buhl.
With the introduction of the new car this season
and engine manufacturers back in IndyCar, the use of
the CNC machines has been extremely beneficial to the team in
this new era of racing. As a result, the
relationship has continued to grow and this weekend's
race will also mark the unveiling of a new look for Hurco as they
roll out a new logo that will be introduced in
September at the International Manufacturing
Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago.
"Our relationship with Panther DRR is an exciting
part of our brand awareness campaign. We have
very consistent characteristics. Our business is all about
speed, precision and reliability and that's what
makes it a really good fit for us. This is an
exciting moment for us as we are about to launch a next generation
of machines and a new logo that highlights our
technology and that's what people will see with the
car out in Edmonton," commented Hurco Executive Vice President of
Worldwide Sales & Marketing, John Donlon.
- This weekend will mark Servia's 6th start in
Edmonton (three of those starts were in Champ Car from 2005-2008).
He has finished no worse than sixth in first four starts at track
(2005-2007). His best finish was second in 2005 and his best start
was third in 2008. Last year he started 8th and finished
22nd. In 2008, he started 3rd and finished
5th.
- Servia currently sits 10th in the championship with
215 points and just two points from 9th place.
- In eight races, Servia has gained a total of 98 positions (7
positions in St. Pete to finish 16th, 13 positions in Barber to
finish 13th, 7 positions in Long Beach to finish 16th, 12 positions
in Brazil to finish 11th, 23 positions in Indianapolis to finish
4th, 11 positions in Detroit to finish 5th, 16 positions
in Milwaukee to finish 4th and 9 positions in Toronto to
finish 5th).
- Since making the switch to Chevy power, Panther DRR and Oriol
Servia have earned four top-five results in six races, tying with a
season best of fourth place (was 4th in the Indy
500).
- Last year Oriol Finished fourth in IZOD IndyCar Series
standings....Recorded 11 top-10 finishes, with a best of second at
New Hampshire and Baltimore....Among three drivers to be running at
the finish in all 17 races..... Led all drivers in laps completed
(2,103 of 2,011)....Oriol was the only driver to finish in the top
10 in first five races of the season.
- In 12 seasons of competing in open wheel racing, Servia has 174
starts, 19 podium finishes, a win in Montreal (2005), a pole
position at Surfer's Paradise (2005), 45 top-five finishes
(including podiums), 85 top-10 finishes (includes top-five) and has
led a total of 130 laps in his career.
Panther DRR
- Panther DRR will be competing for the fifth time at the
Edmonton City Centre Airport circuit. Last year, Justin Wilson
started 15th and finished 5th and Ana Beatriz
started 23rd and finished 13th.
- It was announced in May that the Indianapolis-based squad has
united with two-time IndyCar Series champion Panther Racing to form
a strategic alliance on Oriol Servia's entry for the remainder of
the 2012 season. The No. 22 Panther/DRR team will utilize Panther's
second Chevrolet engine lease and work in conjunction with the No.
4 National Guard team and driver JR Hildebrand.
Oriol Servia, No. 22 Panther DRR, on the Edmonton
Indy: "It's always been great to go to Edmonton. The
city of Edmonton has always supported the race and it's always
exciting for us to come back. We are coming from another
top-five in Toronto, so we just want to get to that podium. I
think that Edmonton could be a track that hopefully fits our setup
and that we can have a strong weekend."
Oriol Servia on the Edmonton circuit: "The
truth is that I like the old layout better because I thought that
it was more fun to drive, but with this new setup I think it is
more fun for the fans because there is a lot more over-taking, so
it's a balance. Ideally I would like to do the old and the
new, which would be a long race track and would be perfect."
Back on Track: Panther DRR will hit track this
weekend for the Edmonton Indy in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on July
22nd. The race is scheduled at 2:45 pm ET. Live coverage
will be on NBC Sports Network and the IMS Radio Network. Please
visit www.dreyerreinboldracing.com for more updates.