Balancing act for Fontana in Detroit.

It certainly has been a baptism of fire for Norberto Fontana in this year's Fed Ex Champ Car series. Just six races in this year's championship and the Della Penna driver is yet to score a point and has failed to start two of the last three races due to a persistent injury.

Fontana's troubles began in practice for the Motegi race when he crashed heavily and was briefly knocked unconscious. CART's rulebook states that any driver who loses consciousness during or after an accident is banned from racing for a week, therefore the ex-Sauber driver was forced to watch the race from the sidelines.

As a result of the accident, Fontana suddenly developed vertigo which was unusual as the driver did not sustain any physical injuries as a result of the crash. The team rolled out a new chassis for Fontana at Nazareth but it was clear that the driver was struggling and shortly after half distance in the re-scheduled race, he crashed.

Still not feeling 100 per cent, Norberto sought the help of CART's director of medical affairs, Dr Steve Olvey. Olvey examined the driver and discovered that in the Motegi crash, he had dislodged a number of particles in his inner ear which had an effect on his sense of balance. The loose particles have been the cause of the vertigo and also the driver's erratic performance at Nazareth.

Fontana is currently undergoing a series of extensive balancing and positioning excersizes in an effort to lodge the particles back in their rightful place. He took the wheel of his Reynard-Toyota at the Mid Ohio CART test last week and has made it clear that he will be fit to race in Detroit on Sunday.

If any problems arise during the week then Memo Gidley, who also tested the car at Mid Ohio, will deputise.