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[/media-credit]Indianapolis, IN (April 24, 2012)- Today it was announced that Lotus and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing have reached an amicable resolution to end their agreement. The two entities had entered into a contract back in November for Lotus to be the team’s engine supplier in the IZOD IndyCar Series.
Lotus remains completely committed to IndyCar and has worked diligently to rise to the challenge. Given the circumstances of the regulatory requirement to supply multiple teams, the late timing of Lotus’ entry and the unanticipated difficulties caused by the change of ownership, Lotus has made the decision to reduce the number of cars it runs.
As a result, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing will run the Lotus engine for the final time in Brazil. “Our focus is on the Brazil race and we are still a part of the Lotus team. We are excited to go down there. We wish Lotus all of the best going forward. We are in the midst of finalizing our future plans and we are talking to the Series to conclude that process. We will be making a public statement in the very near future,” commented Dennis Reinbold, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Co-Owner.
Feeling the same sentiment as Reinbold is Co-Owner, Robbie Buhl. “We know this will be a tough change mid-season, but we feel it is the best decision for DRR and our partners and we wish Lotus all the best,” stated Buhl.
Please stay tuned for more announcements to come. For more updates on the team, please visit www.dreyerreinboldracing.com.
About Lotus DRR:
Lotus DRR will be entering its 13th season of full-time competition in 2012, making it one of the longest-tenured teams in IZOD IndyCar Series competition. Current Co-Owners, Dennis Reinbold and Robbie Buhl, first teamed in full-time competition at the Walt Disney World Speedway in January of 2000. With Buhl behind the wheel, the two owners tasted victory in their debut race. The 2009 IZOD IndyCar Series season-opener, on the streets of St. Petersburg, marked Lotus DRR’s 200th series start. DRR now has over 305 starts to tuck under its belt and has qualified a total of 31 cars for the Indianapolis 500. In its history, the team has boasted a championship list of alumni drivers. Besides Buhl, the team has run Indianapolis 500 winners, Al Unser, Jr., Buddy Lazier, and Buddy Rice, along with IZOD IndyCar Series race winner, Ryan Briscoe. The team has one of the longest lines of heritage in American open-wheel racing and the Indianapolis 500 as Dennis Reinbold’s grandfather, “Pop” Dreyer, built leading roadsters that raced at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the 30s, 40s, and 50s.
