Hildebrand Goes Quickest In Class At Sebring In LMPC

02.24.2010

J.R. Hildebrand recently tested with Genoa Racing in the new LMPC Class alongside Andy Wallace and Larry Connor at the Sebring Winter Test. It was Hildebrand's first time in a true prototype-style sportscar and also his first on the full circuit at Sebring International, but he and the rest of the team were quickly up to speed and got straight to work on the new racecar. The LMPC Class is new in the ALMS for 2010, so the team spend a good part of both days learning about the car and getting used to it's behavior, eventually setting the quickest time in class at the test.

Having a veteran in Wallace provide a baseline setup for the new car is often one of the keys to success in any form of racing and LMPC is no different. For up-and-coming open-wheel star JR Hildebrand, its made his transition into a sportscar that much easier.

"It's been really neat having Andy around," Hildebrand said. "I'm just trying to be a sponge and absorb everything he's given off. Whether it's the stories of driving Group C cars to little bits of information about the track, he's driven many different cars around here and just a really great guy."

The 2009 Indy Lights champion and Atlantic veteran got his first taste of a sportscar yesterday and quickly came to grips of the 500hp prototype and his new surroundings.

"It's been going well," Hildebrand said. "Yesterday we had some teething problems, as it's the first time any of these teams have run this car. So we're trying to wrap our heads around it. I got in the car for eight or 10 laps and got a feel. It's actually my first time running on the full course here, so I've been getting up to speed on where everything is. Hopefully I'll be able to get back in the car for some more laps today."

Hildebrand, who impressed many last December when testing for the Force India Formula One squad, has treated this test like any other session in any other car. That mentality has paid off thus far.

"When it comes down to it, it's just another race car," he said. We're just working at it as if I might with an Atlantic car, Lights car or IndyCar. There's certainly some things that are different in the way the car works. For instance, youre sitting off to the side instead of the middle, but it's been pretty easy to get used to."

Hildebrand ended up being the driver to set the quickest time of the day in the bright red Genoa car, ending the test on a high note for the team. Its undecided whether Hildebrand or Wallace will return with the team for the race, but both have at least walked away with favorable impressions of the Series' new formula.