Photo: Lamborghini
The record grid for this weekend’s Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America season opener is down to the “longevity” of the single-make series’ platform according to Lamborghini’s Chris Ward.
A total of 35 Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo EVO2s are set to take part at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, surpassing the championship’s previous record of 30 cars last year at Circuit of The Americas.
It comes amid the North American debut of the Super Trofeo EVO2, which has been offered either as a brand-new car or upgrade kit from the previous Super Trofeo Evo model.
According to Ward, the new-for-2022 package, which made its global debut earlier this month in Super Trofeo Europe competition at Imola (pictured above), provides a styling and aero refresh that’s been met with positive reviews.
In addition to the new aero package — which could indicate the styling future of possible future Lamborghini road car models — the EVO2 features a complete overhaul of its brake package, including new front calibers, rotors and pads designed exclusively for the car.
Ward said it’s resulted in “significantly improved” braking performance as well as improved braking stability, and when combined with the aero updates, has generated an even faster car than before.
“The car has definitely appealed to a new and broad audience,” Ward told Sportscar365. “We’re delighted to welcome the new teams to the paddock and a record number of new drivers.
“We couldn’t be more excited.”
Lamborghini Squadra Corse began receiving considerable interest in the EVO2 following its official unveil last May, with more than 50 cars sold to the North American market.
Twenty-five of them are on the grid this weekend, with an additional ten chassis having been upgraded.
“Since the car debuted back in May, we’ve been inundated with requests,” said Ward. “We have more orders for the cars than we can build this year. Some builds are having to be put off to next year.
“The order bank for next year is almost full as well. There’s extraordinary demand for the car.
“I think part of it is the success of the longevity of the platform. Knowing that you can take a 2016 Huracan [Super Trofeo] and you could have updated that to Evo and now EVO2.
“It’s one of the longest-serving platforms in the paddock now. I think that’s part of the success.
“When Lamborghini says they are committing to a platform, we’re not looking for people to buy brand-new cars year on year on year like some other manufacturers.”
While acknowledging supply-chain issues that nearly every entity in the industry is currently facing, Ward said the Italian manufacturer has provided additional on-the-ground staff for the car’s North American debut to help overcome any challenges presented.
“There are supply chain challenges — no problems — but challenges,” he said. “We’ve had some last-minute shipments and a lot of materials arriving here this weekend at Laguna Seca.
“We’ve brought an extraordinary number of staff over from Italy to support the expansion and growth of the paddock.”
Super Trofeo North America Celebrating Ten Years
Ward said he “couldn’t be more proud” for the IMSA-sanctioned series to be celebrating its 10th year of competition, especially considering its modest beginnings.
The inaugural race at Lime Rock Park in July 2013 featured a grid of only seven Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale entries, with the series not seeing considerable growth until future seasons.
“You think about ten years,” Ward said, “We’ve been through good times and bad times of the sports car racing paddock. Here we are ten years later and just celebrating enormous success.
“The product is terrific and having new teams come to us shows that the word is out that this is a good place to come and race.
“Things are heading in the right direction. I’m very excited.”
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