INDY LIGHTS: Dorricott Racing Tests Four Prospects
11 November 2000
DORRICOTT RACING TESTS FOUR PROSPECTS FOR
2001 DAYTON INDY LIGHTS CHAMPIONSHIP
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Nov. 11, 2000) - In the first of two scheduled
driver test sessions, Dorricott Racing completed two days of thorough
testing with four Indy Lights driver candidates seeking positions with
Dorricott Racing for the 2001 Dayton Indy Lights Championship. Testing was
held at Buttonwillow Raceway Park outside of Bakersfield, Calif., Nov. 6-7.
Test participants included current Indy Lights driver Luis Diaz, of
Mexico City, Mexico; 2000 Barber Dodge Pro Series champion Nilton Rossoni,
of Curitiba, Brazil; 2000 Barber Dodge Pro Series runner-up Jon Fogarty, of
Portola Valley, Calif.; and 2000 European Formula 3 champion Marcos
Ambrose, of Australia.
Each driver received an equal amount of task specific and
orientational track time over the two days. The test was structured to
allow Dorricott Racing to assess driver ability in all aspects and not just
lap time.
"We were extremely impressed and pleased with the results of each
candidate," said team owner Bob Dorricott. "Each brought their own style
and talent to the track and it was obvious from the start that they each
possess exceptional abilities as race car drivers. All adapted very well to
the Indy Lights Lola with Luis being the only one with extensive experience
in an Indy Lights car."
The 2000 Dayton Indy Lights Championship was Diaz's first season of
full-time Indy Lights competition. The 1998 Formula Mexico Championship
winner campaigned with Team Mexico Quaker Herdez and posted a season best
race finish of 6th place at Chicago. He finished 13th in the Indy Lights
final standings with 31 points.
"This test was a dream come true for me," said Diaz. "I think
Dorricott Racing is one the most professionally run teams in Indy Lights. I
think I worked well with all of the engineers and mechanics. This is a
close team. Everybody works well together and they like being with each
other. That's one of the best parts of Dorricott Racing."
Rossoni won the 2000 Barber Dodge Pro Series Championship behind
six wins and 175 championship points. The 19-year-old Brazilian finished
6th place in the 1999 Barber Dodge Pro Series following a split season in
1998 between the Formula Chevrolet Brazil series and Barber Dodge Pro
Series.
"This was a very good experience," said Rossoni. "I enjoyed working
with the entire team and engineer Alex Purdy. This is a very professionally
run team and doesn't leave anything to chance. The car was well set and my
time on the track was productive. The gearbox difference between Indy
Lights and Barber Dodge was a bit of a head ache but I worked it out."
Fogarty, 25, was Rossoni's closest challenger in the Barber Dodge
Pro Series competition this season where he finished in second place with
three wins and 155 points. Fogarty finished fourth place in Barber Dodge
competition in 1999.
"There is a lot of difference between an Indy Lights car and what I
drove in the Barber Dodge Pro Series," said Fogarty. "Indy Lights cars
obviously have much more horsepower and react quick than Barber Dodge cars.
The most challenging difference for me, however, was the tires. The Dayton
Daytona tires have more grip relative to what we ran in the Pro Series.
Tires in the Pro Series seemed to remain consistent over the span of a race
weekend. Indy Lights tires have to be maximized when they're fresh. That
adds a new dynamic in race strategy. There are also more variables to learn
in Indy Lights ranging from greater attention to set-up to high speed shock
adjustments. There is much to learn but that's what makes it so much fun.
"I learned a lot working with the engineers. We made a variety of
changes and went some directions that worked and others that didn't. Either
way was a learning experience which was one of the reason's I wanted to
test with Dorricott Racing so badly.
"Testing with Dorricott has been the best opportunity I've had in
racing to date. I'm looking to move up and I'd really like someone to give
me a chance in Indy Lights. Running with Dorricott Racing would be like a
dream come true for a guy trying to work his way up through the rank and
file. I perceived Dorricott Racing to be the best overall Indy Lights team
before the test. My perceptions were confirmed. It's also a
California-based team which is great for me."
Ambrose traveled the most miles to test with Dorricott Racing by
flying over 16 hours from his home country of Australia to Los Angeles. The
24-year-old Aussie lived in Bedford, United Kingdom, this past season
enroute to winning the 2000 European Formula 3 Championship. He was also
named Australia's "Young Driver of the Year" for 2000. Prior to Formula 3,
Ambrose ran two years (1998-99) in the highly visible British Formula Ford
championship and two years in Australia's Formula Ford championship
(1996-97). He is the 1995 Australian Go Kart champion.
"This was a great experience," said Ambrose. "I think the level of
the team, the car, and the set-up for the test was first class. It was
enlightening to be on the inside of a good team that works well together.
"It's different than what I've done before. This is the first car
I've driven with more horsepower than grip. It's quite a jump from Formula
3 in Europe. Indy Lights cars are also much heavier than Formula 3. The
leap in horsepower is significant because you have to start feeding the
power much later. This isn't an element in Formula 3. It's a real challenge
under a two-day test session because you only have a limited amount of time
to adjust your driving style to the car."