Team Motorola completes road course test.
Team Motorola and driver Michael Andretti continued their testing program for the 2002 CART FedEx Championship Series season with a two-day test (Wednesday and Thursday) on the California Speedway road course. Team Motorola ran 202 laps on the 1.5-mile road course with a quick time of 60.1 seconds during the course of the test.
Team Motorola and driver Michael Andretti continued their testing program for the 2002 CART FedEx Championship Series season with a two-day test (Wednesday and Thursday) on the California Speedway road course. Team Motorola ran 202 laps on the 1.5-mile road course with a quick time of 60.1 seconds during the course of the test.
Team Motorola's focus for the two-day test was to work with Honda on traction control as well as develop suspension geometry's, aerodynamic set-ups and damper information for the upcoming Long Beach street course. Team manager Tony Cotman oversaw the test and was fairly pleased with the results. "We got off to a slow start on Wednesday with rain in the morning and the track had installed some bleachers in an area of the road course we were hoping to use," explained Cotman. "So we basically diddled around most of the day and Michael only managed to get in 66 laps. We did get an opportunity to get work done with Honda on the traction control so the day wasn't a total wash and on Thursday we ran a very full day with no down time, so all-in-all I think we accomplished a lot."
On Thursday Team Motorola was able to complete much more on their to-do list and left the test feeling quite happy with the information that was gained. "We ran Michael for 136 laps on a very busy, 16-turn, 1.5-mile course on Thursday and his fitness and stamina was very impressive," said chief engineer Eddie Jones. "We didn't have any mechanicals over the course of the test and overall I'm happy with the progress we made on the cars set-up and I think we are all looking forward to the next race in Long Beach."
Andretti left Fontana Thursday evening in good spirits. "Wednesday was a little bit of a grind but on Thursday I really think we got a lot accomplished," said Andretti. "Now I'm hoping what we learned here will translate into quick times for the race in Long Beach." 2002 marks Andretti's 19th season in Champ Car racing and he currently holds the record for most career victories (41) and most career starts (291) for active Champ Car drivers.
Team Motorola will now return to their Indianapolis shop and begin preparations for their next test, which will be March 26-27 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway oval. Team Motorola's next race will be in Long Beach, California on April 14, 2002.
