Sebring testing news - 10-Tenths Motorsport Forum

Dov · 30 Sep 2003, 23:35

From jorgemog at Crapwagons/Cartfanatics.com:

Sebring testing news.

TV Azteca had this small note on the Sebting tests. Manning drove Luis Diaz's car at some point in the morning. It is a new Reynard. It has SUN on its sidepods and TELCEL on the rear wing. Then Luis tested the car and supposedly had some good times. Fittipaldi/Dingman was also there. HERDEZ was there too. Roberto Gonzalez could not test for a long time because of a gearbox problem and rain poured when he was about to test in Mario's car.

The thing that intrigued me the most is Rahal's test. The note said that Rahal wasn't testing with Michel, but with "some german guy" or "a german driver" I can't remember the exact words. The point is that a german driver tested. Maybe TV Azteca could not reveal his name, or the guy reporting is a total idiot. Seeing as Lotterer was supposed to drive a second car all season long at Rahal's, could this be a great note? Could it be just a test? Could mexican media be that stupid as to turn fans on with bullsheet? Who knows, but I for sure am looking forward to one more car.

Anybody know anithing more on these tests?

Snrub · 1 Oct 2003, 00:56

I hope they are right about Lotterer. The only question is why the heck does he need a test for? Hire the guy.

CART's quality of drivers has improved a lot this year with a bunch of driver revelations. I can't wait to see who's in the field for next year.

gttouring · 1 Oct 2003, 01:40

the funny thin gthis year in CART as far as quality drivers go, why weren't more teams contesting for wins?
are PT and Bourdais that good over everyone else? and the teams preparation just better? with almost identical cars across the board we see who really is good, and how good vassser and Hunter-Reay really are bringing in the reynards so high.
a 4th in miami go vasser.
now with a good schedule being on paper, any word on what the test was really for, and 'the german driver' will he bring german auto interest?

Shaggy_SoCal · 1 Oct 2003, 05:51

To me, racing is like an American football offense.
If the coach calls the right play, the blockers block the defensive line, and the recievers run their routes, the quarterback can do the things he needs to do to score touchdowns.

In racing, if the engineers and mechanics prepare the car well, the team owner makes the right race calls, the pit crew makes quick pit stops, the driver will be able to do his best to win races.

The quaterback in football is the most visible part of the offensive team. He shoulders most of the burden if the team does not win, even though it takes everyone to do so.

The dirver is the most visible part of the race team, and like the quarterback, shoulders most of the burden if the team does not win.

Understand that the burden is a perception. Ryan is not a slow driver, but if the car is not working the way he wants it, he'll look slow even though it he isn't the main cause for his slowness.

One main difference I can see between football and racing is that in racing, if you go out of bounds you won't be coming back in.

macdaddy · 1 Oct 2003, 06:54

Interesting...
Thanks for the info, Dov.

ascarracinguk · 1 Oct 2003, 17:16

go to cart.com for the pics!!!

Andy Roberts · 1 Oct 2003, 18:08

I tested against Nelson Phillipe in the Barber Dodge Pro Series at Sebring in April and set a nigh-on identical time despite him already having done 3 races and 8 tests, and I'd never seen the track or car before. Good luck to him as he is definatly talented, AND has the money to get him to CART.

BootsOntheSide · 1 Oct 2003, 19:39

Not a hint of sarcasm or bitterness there Andy?

Thanks for teh testing links though. Bad luck for Gonzáles, hopefully not a shape f thigns to come.

Andy Roberts · 1 Oct 2003, 19:41

Bad day at work. Not usually like that sorry

He's a top bloke though and should do well in CART if he gets a full time drive next season.

Snrub · 2 Oct 2003, 02:47

I you watch enough races and watch how the driver is driving the car you can usually get a decent idea of who is doing what. This year has shown how big the differnces can be between a good setup and a bad one. Few of us may be Geoff Boss fans, but the 3 second difference between him and 6th place in qualifying is not all due to driving ability. A substantial part is due to setup ability, but also his team's setup ability. Further proof is that Papis may not be a championship contender, but he was WAAAAY off the pace at a couple of races.

Dov · 2 Oct 2003, 20:06

I just found out that the German driver testing for Team Rahal is some guy called Pierre Kaffer. I've heard this name before, but I don't know anything about him.....can anybody fill me in?

P.S. If you guys want to see a few pictures of him testing Jourdain's car, just go to cart.com.....

Andy Roberts · 2 Oct 2003, 20:24

Pierre Kaffer was in the Porsche Cup this year. Not sure how he did but his website is at www.pierre-kaffer.de which I just found on google but its in german.

Kicking-back · 2 Oct 2003, 21:10

Kaffer tested for Patrick Racing last week too.

macdaddy · 2 Oct 2003, 21:42

Maybe a German manufacturer likes him?

Dov · 3 Oct 2003, 00:37

Quote:

Originally posted by macdaddy
Maybe a German manufacturer likes him?

If CART wants German manufacturers, they will (most likely) have to keep racing in Germany. IF OWRS cancels the European races in 2004 then they MUST return by 2005.....no later then 2006!

Thanks guys for the info on Pierre Kaffer.

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