Present with two Peugeot 207 at the Monte Carlo Rally, the Kronos team made a surprise announcement on Tuesday that they will run a Lola Aston Martin LMP1 in endurance racing. Marc Van Dalen (co-owner Jean-Pierre Mondron) answered our questions.

Why the decision to get involved in endurance racing?

Marc Van Dalen: "When we created Kronos seventeen years ago, we were involved in Supertouring including the 24 Hours of Spa that we've won twice. Then we focussed our activities mainly in Rally with some success (Sebastien Loeb World Rally Champion in 2006, ed.) For several years, we have had the will to return to the circuit, but until now we did not find the opportunity."

How has your program materialized with the Lola Aston Martin?

"The car belongs to Orbello Racing, and was assigned to the team signed last year. Vanina Ickx, who drove the car already in 2010 presented the project. She has known us for a long time since she had taken one of our 306 GTI in the 3rd place of the 24 Hours of Spa in 2000. That was a powerful past, and we will again join our forces to mount a long-term programme."

How will you share the roles?

"Kronos Racing will take over the operation, development and maintenance of the prototype. Orbello Racing will handle the marketing aspect, to build a coherent project ."

What is your plan this season?

"We concluded it the very recently. We will take possession of the car when we get back from Monte Carlo. We will do our best to be ready for testing at Le Castellet Le Mans Series in March. Next, we wish to present at several LMS races and ILMC, including 1,000 kilometers of Castellet and Spa-Francorchamps. Finally, we asked for a place in 24 Hours of Le Mans. Whatever happens, our commitment is long term, it is not a "one shot". We will work with Lola and Aston Martin to run the car. We aim to participate in the entire ILMC in 2012. We approach the subject with great humility."

Vanina Ickx teammates, will they be Belgians too?

"Not necessarily. We are in contact with several European drivers."

To conclude, a few words on the Monte Carlo ...

"Yesterday, the road was very dry and it was more like a San Remo. We lost one of our two Peugeot 207, that of Thierry Neuville, who retired in the first stage. For his part, Guy Wilks is fifth in a fight with Peter Solberg and Stephane Sarrazin."

 

Julien Hergault

Photo: CARLOS PAZ, Rally Argentina, March 22, 2010. Associated with Peugeot Rally, Marc Van Dalen will team up with "the opposition" Aston Martin.,