KV Racing Technology will not be competing in the Verizon IndyCar Series. In a statement with IndyCar, co-owners Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser expressed their thanks to supporters and confirmed the team’s exit from the series.
Uncertainty around KV Racing Technology’s status for the 2017 began when a potential IndyCar Series partnership between defending Indy Lights series Teams’ Champion Carlin and the team broke down. Carlin will continue competing in Indy Lights in 2017.
KVRT’s status became more uncertain when the team failed to show for the Phoenix open test last weekend, and came to a head yesterday, when Motorsport reported that some KVRT assets had been acquired by Indy Lights team, Juncos Racing.
It is always a sad day when a fan favorite retires or leaves the sport. Formula 1 experienced something similar when Manor Racing went into administration this offseason, KV Racing Technology leaving is a sad day for the IndyCar community.
KV Racing Technology were one of the original teams left from the Champ Car and IndyCar merger, having been founded in 2003 for Champ Car by Kalkhoven and former Formula 1 manager Craig Pollock as PK Racing. When driver Jimmy Vasser and businessman Dan Pettit became co-owners, replacing Pollock in 2004, the name changed again to PKV Racing. When American open wheel racing unified in 2008, the team name changed again to KV Racing Technology.
KVRT leaves behind a legacy that includes: seven Champ Car/IndyCar Series race wins, one Indianapolis 500 win, and a venerable who’s who of former drivers. Some who have gone on to have success in IndyCar and in other series.
KVRT leaves behind a successful IndyCar Series legacy, one that hopefully others will want to replicate. Tony Kanaan described KVRT’s situation best.
“Unfortunately, it’s racing. [I]t’s everybody’s reality. [I]t’s just the way it is. People come and go. But that was one thing that, from the bottom of my heart, I didn’t want to see it go.”
Twitter: Thank you all for your support. https://t.co/Pzx0bJvXAn (@kvracingtech_)
We’ll miss you, KV Racing Technology.
KVRT By The Numbers
- 7 race wins
- 3 names
- 2 racing series
- 1 Indianapolis 500 win
KVRT Notable Drivers (including Champ Car)
- Cristiano da Matta – Won KVRT’s first ever race in Champ Car in 2005 as PKV Racing
- Neel Jani – Won the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans with Porsche Team
- Will Power – KVRT’s first IndyCar Series race winner
- Rubens Barrichello – 11-time Formula 1 race winner
- Tony Kanaan – KVRT’s only indianapolis 500 winner
- Simona de Silvestro – Took 2nd place at 2013 Shell-Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston
- Sébastien Bourdais – KVRT’s most successful race winner with four wins
