The 18-year-old Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Powered by Mazda Lites One champion Ricardo Vera tested in the Dyson Mazda-powered Lola at Sebring International Raceway.

Part of Vera's award for winning the Lites One title was a test session in the Dyson LMP1 car, so Vera joined Chris Dyson at Sebring International Raceway to check out the top run of the American Le Mans Series prototype ladder. Not surprisingly, the young Vera, a native of Puerto Rico, got up to speed quickly - with only 10 laps in the morning session and 25 laps in the afternoon, he was able to set a very respectable lap time near the end of his final run.

“First off, I really appreciate the Dyson team, they were very nice to us and very professional,” said Vera. “The car was great - it was almost easier to drive than the LMPC car! I was impressed by the braking of the car and the handling. The gears were really quick and smooth. I would love to get another chance to drive the LMP1 car, it was a great experience!”

“I was really impressed with Ricardo,” said ALMS LMP1 champion Chris Dyson. “He is mature beyond his years and he has exactly the right approach to succeed in this business. He was immediately consistent and as he became familiar with the Lola LMP and the Mazda turbo, his times really started to come down. His feedback was excellent as well. He will absolutely be a talent to watch for the future. ”

The Prototype Lites mission is two-fold: present an opportunity for semi-professional race car drivers to compete in a world-class environment while also providing an avenue for drivers to move up the ladder into the LMPC or LMP classes in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. The series is divided into two classes: Lites 1, featuring the Élan DP02 chassis, powered by the 230hp 2.0L Mazda MZR engine; and Lites 2, utilizing the West WX10 and WR1000 chassis with a Kawasaki ZX10R motor.