CART: Off-Season Testing Continues for PacWest Racing

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

(Sebring, FL) – PacWest Champ Car rookie Scott Dixon returned to the track Wednesday to continue his preparation for the opening round of the CART FedEx Championship Series on March 11, in Monterrey, Mexico.

Dixon took to the 1.6-mile Sebring road course for the third time this season as the twenty-year-old Kiwi continues to accumulate productive miles in anticipation of his first year of Champ Car competition.

Battling the flu bug, Dixon completed approximately 140 miles and put up a quick time of 51.4 seconds. That time was comparable to other Reynard drivers competing in Sebring, as Paul Tracy also ran a 51.4-second lap.

There were approximately six cars participating in Wednesday’s session, and Helio Castroneves put in the quickest lap time of 50.4 seconds.

PacWest will run again on Thursday, with Mauricio Gugelmin joining Dixon on the track before they head to Laguna Seca for a two-day test February 14-15.

SCOTT DIXON - # 18 PACWEST TOYOTA

“Even though I wasn’t feeling well, I still believe that we had a productive test,” said Dixon. “I think we’re pretty close to being where we need to be for Mexico. We worked on things Wednesday that Mauricio has been trying - and liking - with his car, so hopefully I can learn some things from him regarding the way his car is set-up. My car was a bit too ‘pointy’ earlier in the day, so my crew tightened it down before we got into our general testing program.”

RUSSELL CAMERON – PACWEST DIRECTOR OF RACE OPERATIONS

“Wednesday’s session confirmed the mental toughness that Scott possesses, which seems to be the theme we’ve been talking about all winter,” said Cameron. “Scott ran all day while suffering from the flu, and while he did have a couple of minor offs, he avoided all contact and ended up putting together a time comparable to the other Reynard drivers on the track. His head was spinning and he was feeling weak, so we got him in and out of the car a lot during the day so he could rest and consume some fluids. I’m sure after plenty of rest Wednesday night, Scott will be ready to have another productive day on Thursday.”

Text Provided By Tom Hollett

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