Sebastien Bourdais is back with KVSH Racing and so is co-primary sponsor Hydroxycut for the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series season.
KVSH co-owners Kevin Kalkhoven, James “Sulli” Sullivan and Jimmy Vasser confirmed today what Vasser called the “worst-kept secret of the season.” Bourdais, the four-time Indy car champion, will drive the No. 11 Team Hydroxycut – KVSH Racing Chevrolet. Bourdais won titles in Champ Car a record four straight seasons from 2004-2007 and is tied for seventh in all-time Indy car race wins with 34. Three of those wins have come with KVSH in the past two seasons.
It is expected to be the only full-season entry for KVSH in the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series, allowing the team to focus on a single goal against the larger-budget, multi-car operations.
“We’re no Penske or Ganassi, but we can be as good or better on any given day when we get our stuff together,” said Bourdais, who turns 37 on Feb. 28. “That’s really the challenge for me that I relish. I’ve been on the side of being expected to win because you’re on the big teams and that’s what you should be doing.
“To be able to do it with a small organization and sometimes a fraction of their budget is a very awesome feeling. It also proves how competitive the series is. It’s harder but when you get it done, it’s very gratifying and it’s a credit to the people in the organization.”
Vasser said the team was still working to field a second full-season entry until recently, when the ownership trio decided to focus the effort on Bourdais’ car only.
“To coin a phrase from Kevin Kalkhoven, we put all the wood behind this one arrow and all of our resources,” Vasser said. “The main component starts with the driver and Bourdais is a proven, great champion, a legend in the sport.
“After the last couple years, we really feel we’re in a position to fight for the championship. We had one win two years ago, two wins last year, were in the championship going into the Mid-Ohio race … We know that we have our work to do on the ovals, but having said that, we also know that when the car’s right, Bourdais can practically lap the field like he did at Milwaukee last year.”
Sullivan, who focuses on the commercial side of the organization, is pleased to see the return of sponsor Hydroxycut, a leading weight loss supplement brand. It has been a partner with KVSH dating to 2013 when it sponsored the Indianapolis 500-winning car driven by Tony Kanaan.
“Having Hydroxycut, a world-class brand that’s been chosen by millions, back on board with us is a huge piece of the puzzle,” Sullivan said. “I believe we are positioned for a banner year with the Hydroxycut machine.”
This will be Bourdais’ 11th season driving Indy cars, with two years in Formula One sandwiched in between. He finished 10th in the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series standings.
“Sebastien is a proven champion and has shown over the last two years that he is capable of competing and beating the best in the Verizon IndyCar Series,” Kalkhoven said. “We look forward to continuing to progress as a team and working to produce more championships.”
