CART: Blundell delighted following test at Phoenix
2 March 2000
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
In a test termed by members of the PacWest Racing Group as "one of the
most
positive of his Champ Car career," Mark Blundell (Motorola PacWest
Mercedes)
completed 166 trouble-free miles at Phoenix International Raceway Monday,
recording an unofficial best time of 19.99 seconds. Following on the heels
of last week's test at Sebring, which was cut short due to an assortment
of
problems, Monday's result was especially encouraging to Blundell and the
PacWest team."Today's test was definitely our best for the season and certainly one of the best in recent times," Blundell said. "Everybody was extremely happy with the progress and we leave the track knowing there is still more to come. Today's test was certainly very pleasing with the season drawing closer and the first couple of races on ovals. We learned a lot and I was quick as well."
Team Manager Russell Cameron concurred. "I don't think we could have asked for much more from today's test," Cameron said. "We did a quick time and then put together a long run and all the results indicated we are certainly heading in the right direction."
Mauricio Gugelmin (Nextel PacWest Mercedes), Blundell's PacWest teammate, joined him at Phoenix Tuesday as the test continued. The drivers combined to record 270 incident-free miles while turning consistent laps in the 19.7-second range.
"We got in a long run and were able to share a lot information between the two cars," Blundell said afterward. "We were faster than we were yesterday, and even in the heat of the day, I still managed a 19.9-second lap, which was pretty encouraging."
Text provided by CART
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