Sunday, February 03, 2008

CARS ON COURSE!!!


Hi all:


Times from day 1 of Sebring open test (pos., driver name, team, lap time, mph):

1- Franck Montagny, Forsythe Pettit Racing, 50.788 seconds, 118.304 mph
2- Oriol Servia, PKV Racing, 50.856 seconds, 118.145 mph
3- Justin Wilson, Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, 50.927 seconds, 117.981 mph
4- Franck Perera, Conquest Racing, 50.986 seconds, 117.844 mph
5- Alex Figge, Pacific Coast Motorsports, 51.097 seconds, 117.588 mph
6- Graham Rahal, Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, 51.104 seconds, 117.572
7- Alex Tagliani, PKV Racing, 51.228 seconds, 117.287 mph
8- Bruno Junqueira, Dale Coyne Racing, 51.228 seconds, 117.287 mph
9- Mario Moraes, Dale Coyne Racing, 51.346 seconds, 117.018 mph
10- Paul Tracy, Forsythe Pettit Racing, 51.347 seconds, 117.016 mph
11- David Martinez, Pacific Coast Motorsports, 51.950 seconds, 115.657 mph
12- Ernesto Viso, Minardi Team USA, 51.973 seconds, 115.606 mph
13- Enrique Bernoldi, Rocketsports Racing, 52.019 seconds, 115.504 mph
14- Simon Pagenaud, Conquest Racing, 52.118 seconds, 115.285 mph

Snippets:

Well, 14 cars on track yesterday on the hot sunny Sebring Circuit. All teams are represented except Walker/Team Australia, which is still negotiating sponsorship. Only one Minardi Car here, but look for Robert Doornbos to re-sign soon to fill the other seat. If Walker can produce two cars we will be back to 17, and maybe we might see a third car from either PKV or Forsythe/Pettit.

Both Newman Haas Lanigan cars are in McDonald’s livery at this test.

One member of the press at the circuit feels: “Without a doubt the Champ Car series is in better shape this year than at the same time last year here at Sebring. There are more car/driver combinations that appear to be ready to go versus last year, the bugs are worked out of the Panoz now whereas last year at this time there were a number of issues that had to be resolved.

Alex Figge came out strong and had the fastest time of the morning session.

Franck Montagny is a very talented ex-F1 and test driver who says he’s “tired of testing” and like many come over from EUR before him is impressed with the car and the atmosphere. Put him down as a solid winner this year as the Forsythe Team is ramping up their game this season, having also hired Team manager Kenny Sieweck away from Newman/Haas/Lanigan.

Conquest looks to be set to announce a sponsor for the season and will be running two cars for ATL runner up Perera (who is a pretty tough customer) and the 2006 ATL Champ Pagenaud. They will be running another young Frenchman in the ATL series with the interesting moniker of Sebastien Chardonnet. (Will he “wine” as well as his namesake? – Sorry, couldn’t help it!!)

Mario Moraes is a Brazilian who competed (finished 14th) in British F3 last season.

Ernesto Viso, a Venezuelan, is not confirmed as yet for a full season at Minardi, but finished 6th in the 2006 GP2 Series. Also did some F1 testing. Have a look at how his race went at Magny Cours last year here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkSr1rQ0W1g He looks ready to me to run with us over here!

Enrique Bernoldi drove for Arrows in F1 in 2001 and 2002, has a full season ride with Rocketsports this season with a solid sponsor, Sangari. More about that deal here:

http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=12503

More news as I get it. No word on a new Race director, but down at Sebring, Johnny Unser and Gary Barnard are in Race Control with Scot Elkins and Ziggy Harcus in the pitlane.

Away we go for 08… HIT IT!

JHS