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Indianapolis, IN (December 4, 2007) – Minardi Team USA wrapped up two days of testing with Venezuelan Ernesto Viso and Englishman Dillon Battistini today at Sebring International Raceway in sunny Florida. The pair completed nearly 300 miles each around the 1.669 mile road course, which is the sight of the first Series test in early February 2008.
The temperatures were very mild, and made for good testing conditions - not too hot, not too cold - and both drivers got to grips with the DP01 very quickly. Monday started out with systems checks and acclimatization to the cars. For Ernesto, there was no adjustment required to the paddle-shift gearbox, as GP2 cars utilize the same technology, but for Dillon, it was a whole new procedure. Both drivers spent the necessary time making themselves comfortable in the car, while the remainder of Monday was used to get the drivers up to speed.
Tuesday saw Viso and Battistini working with the team's engineers on individual chassis set-ups. More seat time allowed them to find additional speed on the second day, and both ended up with very competitive times.
The drivers now return home for the holidays, but both hope to be back in Sebring for the first Champ Car test, February 2-4 next year. By comparison, Minardi Team USA staff head back to the raceshop in Indianapolis to continue preparations for the 2008 season.
Ernesto Viso:
“I am very happy with the two days of testing with Minardi Team USA, and I feel we had a very productive test. I got to know the car, and I gained a better understanding of the behavior of this chassis. It is different from what I am used to, but I figured it out pretty quickly. I think we turned some competitive lap times, and I believe even faster than in the previous tests. We worked on a lot of set-up changes, and I hope my feedback has helped the engineers.”
Dillon Battistini:
“The test went very well for me. Jumping into this car straightaway after F3 is a substantial change, but considering, I am quite happy with what we achieved in such a short amount of time. Things went as well as I could have ever hoped for. The team is wonderful, all the guys were great, and I learned a lot from everyone. We made a lot of progress developing the car, we worked through our program, and I’m pleased to have helped in that way. The car was great! The amount of power it has is fantastic, but very manageable. Hopefully, this test has given my backers the confidence to allow me to be in Champ Car full-time in 2008, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Keith Wiggins:
“It was a productive test for Minardi Team USA. Ernesto turned some very competitive times over the course of the two days. He worked very well with all the crew, and we were very impressed with his on- and off-track conduct. I was also impressed with Dillon with his professional approach and feedback. It was more of a jump for him from F3, but he definitely proved that with enough time in the car, he’ll be a good addition to the Champ Car World Series.”
Further information about Minardi Team USA is available at www.minarditeamusa.com; the Champ Car World Series, at www.champcarworldseries.com
Media contact
Aislinn Miller
Tel: +1 317 241 3955 Cell: +1 405 822 9012
email: amiller@minarditeamusa.com
Graham Jones
Tel: +44 20 8657 3942 Cell: +44 7767 301303
e-mail: Graham.Jones@MinardiTeamUSA.com
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