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Simonb Pagenaud Beats 2003 Champ Car Pole Time At Successful Mid-Ohio Test |
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Saturday, 19 May 2007 |
Team Australia driver Simon Pagenaud has marked a successful two-day test by beating the 2003 Champ Car pole time around the Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course in Lexington, Ohio this week.
Pagenaud again exhibited the pace and potential of both he and the new-for-2007 DP01 Champ Car, going quicker than the 2003 pole time of 1:07.058 set by Paul Tracy at the last Champ Car event staged at the circuit as the Frenchman set a best lap time of 1:06.28.
The rookie completed two days of testing around the 2.4-mile
(3.86-kilometre) road course in the #15 Aussie Vineyards Team Australia
DP01, developing valuable set-up information around the twisting and
undulating venue.
Completing two full days of testing, Team Australia and Pagenaud logged
a total of 132 laps logging 321 miles (516 kilometres) on the mid-west
road course.
Monday and Tuesday’s testing was valuable for Pagenaud as the Frenchman
continues to come to grips with the powerful Champ Car after winning
the 2006 Champ Car Atlantic Championship.
Team Australia is gearing up for Round 4 of the Champ Car World Series
as the green and gold Aussie Vineyards squad heads to Portland
International Raceway for the Mazda Champ Car Grand Prix of Portland
Presented by Joe's Sports and Outdoor in Portland, Oregon on June 10.
But first, Pagenaud will be joined by Team Australia team-mate Will
Power in testing the Aussie Vineyards Champ Cars at the Circuit Mont
Tremblant on May 25 in Quebec, Canada ahead of that circuit hosting its
first Champ Car event in the sixth round of this year’s championship.
WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY …
Simon Pagenaud – #15 Aussie Vineyards Team Australia DP01
“Mid Ohio is a fantastic track,” said Pagenaud.
“I had the chance to push my Aussie Vineyards car to the limits.
“Our test was very productive. We went through the list of items we
wanted to test and we were able to find other tools to improve the car
during a race weekend. We worked to adapt the car to my driving style.
“Needless to say, we definitely made a serious step forward. I can’t
wait to go to the test in Mont Tremblant next week and see where we are
compared to the competition.
“The stop watch wasn’t the most important thing, because I really feel
comfortable in the car and I know we went in the right direction.
“I really enjoyed these two tests days, where the dialogue with the
team was crucial in a way to improve the car. I feel like the entire
Team Australia squad did an outstanding job and accomplished our
objectives for the test.”
2007 Champ Car World Series Points Standings After Round 3 of 16
1. #1 Sebastien Bourdais 74
2. #5 Will Power 69
3. #14 Robert Doornbos 61
4. #8 Alex Tagliani 57
5. #19 Bruno Junqueira 53
6. #3 Oriol Servia 51
7. #2 Graham Rahal 46
8. #9 Justin Wilson 41
9. #22 Tristan Gommendy 39
10. #15 Simon Pagenaud 38
2007 Roshfrans Champ Car Rookie of the Year After Round 3 of 16
1. #14 Robert Doornbos 61
2. #2 Graham Rahal 46
3. #22 Tristan Gommendy 39
=4. #15 Simon Pagenaud 38
=4. #28 Ryan Dalziel 38
6. #21 Neel Jani 34
7. #29 Alex Figge 21
8. #42 Matt Halliday 18
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