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IFM Drivers Use Yokohama Slicks To The Max |
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Friday, 24 August 2007 |
Today’s International Formula Master Free Practice at Oschersleben allowed drivers to test the limits of their Yokohama ADVAN slicks, as sharp showers interrupted bright sunshine to produce an ever-changing track.
IFM’s rules rule out intermediate tyres in damp conditions, so drivers had to find every last gram of grip from their Japanese rubber as the German rain was not hard enough to warrant the ultra-grip wets.
“As soon as you see the moisture coming off the tyres from the track it can be difficult because the tyres get cooled by the water and the rubber doesn’t work as well,” said Yokohama’s Technical Consultant Ian Beveridge. “If they were racing they would have to just carry on in conditions like today’s because it wouldn’t be worth the time it takes for a pit stop.
“Driving on in the damp can be quite tricky though; the steering gets light, there’s obviously less grip and it’s just more difficult to balance the car. You’re driving through the seat of your pants because the forces are so much lower! Your sense of balance has to take over rather than your bravery.”
It is widely acknowledged that conditions like today’s showcase real driving talent, with Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher amongst those to have mastered the art of using slicks in the wet. In Oschersleben today the two Free Practice sessions were led by Promotorsport’s Salvatore Gatto and J.D. Motorsport’s Kasper Andersen, who won in similar conditions earlier in the year.
“We had really, really wet conditions at Anderstorp, but some guys started on slicks and others on wets,” said Beveridge, who was full of praise for the young sportsmen. “At the beginning the wet guys drove away and as it dried out at the end all the slick guys came back so the gamble was worth it.”
IFM qualifying will begin at 08:15 tomorrow (Saturday) morning with the first race starting at 12:30.
Yokohama ADVAN is the official tyre supplier for:
FIA World Touring Car Championship
International Formula Master Series
Macau F3 race
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 25 August 2007 )
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