Representatives from Scuderia Rodriguez today presented Adrian Fernandez with the prestigious Pedro Rodriguez Trophy as the top Mexican driver for 2009. The ceremony was held at the Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France, where Fernandez is preparing for this weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans with Aston Martin Racing. He shares the title with former teammate Luis Diaz, who received his award earlier this year. The duo dominated the LMP2 class of the American Le Mans Series last season claiming driver and team championship honors with a record-tying eight class wins aboard the #15 Lowe’s Acura.

 

The Scuderia Rodriguez’s Mexican Motorsport Rankings date back to 1997. Fernandez is a six-time recipient of the award (1997-2000, 2004 and 2009) named in honor of Mexican racing legend Pedro Rodriguez, who died tragically in 1971 at the age of 31 in Nuremberg, Germany, at the Norisring track. In addition to the Pedro Rodriguez Trophy, Fernandez accepted the 2009 Scuderia Trophy on behalf of Lowe’s Fernandez Racing as the best Mexican motorsports team in the rankings. It is the third Scuderia Trophy award for Fernandez Racing, which operated from 2001 through 2009 and won in every series it contested – Champ Car (CART), IndyCar (IRL), Grand-Am and the American Le Mans Series.

 

The Scuderia traditionally holds its awards ceremony in Mexico City but Fernandez was unable to attend due to schedule conflicts. As a number of its members are attending Le Mans, it was decided that Victor Ortiz (SHR 024) one of its oldest and most respected members, would head the delegation that would make the presentation supported by Juan Tascon (SHR 041). Ortiz was part of the group which traveled to Le Mans in 2008 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Pedro Rodriguez’s Le Mans victory – a ceremony in which Gulf and Aston Martin Racing also participated – and which culminated in a class victory for car 009, in Gulf Racing colors, reminiscent of the Ford GT40 number 9 in Gulf Racing colors which Rodriguez drove to victory in 1968.

 

Aston Martin and Gulf have joined efforts once again for 2010, with Fernandez and teammates Harold Primat and Stefan Mucke sharing the 007 Aston Martin LMP1 gasoline prototype in which they will aim to be the top-placed petrol car in the face of formidable opposition in the form of the diesel-engined factory cars from Audi and Peugeot.

 

“It is an honor to share this award with my good friend Luis Diaz,” said Fernandez. “Last year was a dream season not only for us but everyone at Lowe’s Fernandez Racing. We had the perfect recipe – a tremendous team in place and great support from Lowe’s, Acura and Michelin. Our results were definitely a team effort as are these awards.

 

“I want to thank everyone at Scuderia Rodriguez. For the presentation to take place here at Le Mans makes it all the more special. Pedro Rodriguez is one of my heroes, and he won Le Mans in a car that is identical in paint scheme to our Aston Martin. To be able to repeat that feat some day would be a dream come true.”

 

“Scuderia Rodriguez congratulates Adrian on these awards and hopes it will be the prelude of even greater success with Aston Martin Racing, Gulf, and his longtime sponsor Lowe’s at the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” said Scuderia Secretary General Carlos Jalife-Villalon.