Volvo S60 R Enters World Challenge GT Series

SPEED Channel will Air the Series to Their North American Viewers

Volvos going racing? Its not as if the Swedish brand never has. Actually its old 240 Turbo successfully competed in the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) in the 1980s, a series it entered more recently with its S60 ETCC Challenger, a car developed by British company Prodrive. In between it entered various country specific touring car series with its 850 and S40 models, plus other series.

The company has never raced in North America before though. This year it will take part in the 2004 Sports Car Club of America SPEED World Challenge GT series with legendary F1 and Le Mans racer Derek Bell behind the wheel.

Three additional drivers including Bob Miller, Volvo team strategic director, owner of the nine-event series and World Challenge rookie of the year in 2001, Paul Gerrard, and a fourth member to be named later, will pilot the four-car Volvo Cars of North America team that features new racing spec Volvo S60 Rs.

"I am ecstatic to be part of Volvos first motorsport involvement in the United States, and it will be good to be back in the GT Series. Between driving, announcing (SPEED Channel), and helping to develop the new race car, this should be an exciting year for me. I enjoyed racing against Bob in the past, and Im looking forward to working with Volvo and to driving with Bob and Paul (Gerrard) in 2004."

The car looks sensational, building on the street versions inspired design with a custom paint scheme and additional aerodynamic aids that should really make it stand out on the track.

"We also want everyone to see us coming, especially since Bell will be in the command seat," stated Vic Doolan, President and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America. "This meant combining the talents of Volvos Camarillo, CA design center and At Speed Motorsports to come up with a paint scheme that no one could miss!"

The look includes a stunning "mirror effect" blue and silver design, accented in red. The cars paintwork appears similar to 1970s and 80s era race cars, a time when lead driver Bell won five 24-Hour races at Le Mans and tallied an enviable series of sports car and endurance race victories.

No doubt the new entry will stir up interest in the S60 R road version, an impressive performer that is targeted at the sport-oriented driver. The race-spec Volvo will up the output of its stock 300-hp turbocharged and intercooled inline-5 cylinder, but no specifications have been announced.

Some of North Americas best known race tracks will host the World Challenge series. Fans that will not be able to make the live event will be able to see each race on SPEED Channel, which adds its name to the series title.