Takagi Richmond Final Practice Update

Takagi Unhurt in Final Practice Accident;

Moves to Back-Up Car and Back of Pack at Richmond

 

RICHMOND, Va. (Friday, June 27, 2003) - Tora Takagi, who qualified third today for Saturday night's SunTrust Indy Challenge on the Richmond International Raceway three-quarter-mile oval, was unhurt but damaged his #12 Pioneer/Mo Nunn Racing Toyota-powered Panoz G Force beyond repair during final practice late this evening.

 

Takagi lost control of his car in Turn Two, spun and hit the outside retaining wall left-side first.  The team moved to Takagi's back-up car for Saturday night's race and, by IRL IndyCar Series rules, start from the back of the 22-car field.

 

Takagi's teammate Felipe Giaffone and the #21 Hollywood/Mo Nunn Racing Toyota-powered Panoz G Force qualified eighth today.

 

Race time Saturday is 8 p.m. EDT with a live broadcast set for ESPN.  The 30-minute IRL2DAY pre-race show will be broadcast on ESPN2 beginning at 6 p.m. EDT.

 

TORA TAKAGI

 

"We had a major problem: we damaged the car too badly.  It is disappointing because now we have to start from the back.  It will be a big challenge because it will be very important to improve positions right away so we can stay on the lead lap.  I'm not exactly sure what happened.  The car got very loose in Turn Two and I lost the rear end.  It spun and hit the outside wall pretty hard on the left side of the car.  Fortunately, I'm okay, but we have much work to do to make this race a success."