CART: Hattori Withdraws
1 May 1999
Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix - Round #4Nazareth Speedway, Pennsylvania
Shigeaki Hattori - #16
EPSON Bettenhausen Motorsports
Mercedes-Benz/Reynard/Goodyear
April 30, 1999 - Following a minor incident in Turn 4 in this morning's first official practice, EPSON Bettenhausen Motorsports has decided that discretion is the better part of valor and has withdrawn rookie driver Shigeaki Hattori from this Sunday's Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix.
The slow spin in Turn 4 damaged only the left rear corner of the '98 Reynard and Shigeaki was checked and released from the CART Medical Center with no injuries.
Team owner Tony Bettenhausen explained, "We have been struggling with the lack of testing so far this season and, combined with the new low downforce aerodynamic package for this event, we feel it is better to be conservative. We need to re-evaluate our program and find a way to build more testing into it, even if it means that we miss some races."
Crew Chief Vince Kremer agreed and added, "I think it's important for people to know that we're keeping the faith. We believe that Shigeaki has the ability to compete at this level but he needs to have the testing miles under his belt first."
"We ran some miles in yesterday's practice session," Shigeaki explained. "But I was fighting the car all the way around the track. I found that the low downforce wing package makes the car very unstable to drive. I feel very bad for the team because I know they are working very hard for me. We just need more experience."
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