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OPEN WHEEL: Reynard Formula Nippon Ready for Championship Start

23 March 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
The Reynard 2KL Formula Nippon car will dominate the Formula Nippon 2000 grid with 18 of the 20 cars contesting this year's championship representing the marque, following its success in the Series last year, with 9 out of 10 races won by Reynard cars and the Championship being taken by Tom Coronel in the PIAA Nakajima Racing Reynard 99L.

In the two all-team testing sessions prior to the season opener this weekend Reynard has shown to have another strong Championship contender. The second of the tests was held at Motegi circuit last weekend with former Arrows Formula 1 driver, Toranosuke Takagi, heading the time sheets after two days on track. The Reynard cars ran reliably and quickly with the new for 2000 rear wing regulations introduced in an effort to increase overtaking opportunities by biasing the grip more to tyres than to aerodynamics.

Alan Smith, Chief Engineer, Reynard Formula Nippon programme, concludes, "Pre-season testing has been very productive for us. The Le Mans Company, our Japanese agents, have been working hard through the winter to accommodate the requests for new cars and update kits, and it's good to be out on track with the Reynard teams. We're anticipating a strong showing from the Reynard teams and our new aerodynamic package for this year should help us to keep ahead of our competitors. Of course, the first race on Sunday at the Suzuka Grand Prix circuit will be the first real test for us and I hope we will be celebrating."

With extensive new Series regulations introduced in 1999, Reynard designed and built a new Formula Nippon chassis introducing a stepped floor, longitudinal gearbox and aerodynamic developments. For 2000, Reynard has added a number of development parts and revised rear wing package to meet further regulation revisions. Although the new car is much safer, meeting all the new FIA safety regulations, the Reynard Formula Nippon has not been slowed down and the racing continues to be exciting and competitive.

Text provided by Alison Hill

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