FA: Podlesni happy with PR1 tests.

Recently-crowned Pacific F2000 champion Robert Podlesni has admitted that he is hungrier than ever to make the jump to the Champ Car Atlantic series after enjoying a promising test with PR1 Motorsports.

The 19-year old earned an initial test for winning the Pacific F2000 title, and ran two days at Buttonwillow Raceway Park with PR1's Swift 016a. A variety of other Atlantic teams were testing at the same time, allowing the youngster to compare himself against those drivers in the same position, including several with far more experience.
Podlesni duly ran some of the fastest times of the test, encouraging the team to invite him back for a further two days of testing at Thunderhill Raceway Park the following week.

"I love it!" Podlesni exclaimed, "The car is different than I anticipated, but it's just one of those cars you want to drive all day. I learned so much about the car and really enjoyed working with the team's engineer, John Hayes.

"''m also elated that the team wanted me to test at Thunderhill. I was very excited about the opportunity to further develop my driving skills, while continuing to feel the changes the team is making on the car."

At Thunderhill, Podlesni worked on his consistency, feedback and getting a handle on the new machine, but continued his earlier momentum through the two-day test.

"I've learned so much in the past two weeks," he continued, "The past few days have shown me what a fantastic series the Atlantic Championship is, and I hope to be able to compete here next season."

Although he has clearly impressed the PR1 operation, Podlesni is aware that he still has some way to go to secure his place in the field for next season, and will spend the rest of the winter attempting to raise the necessary sponsorship.

"Alpinestars has been very supportive of my racing career, but I hope to solidify additional sponsorship to make sure I will be on the grid for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix next spring," he confirmed.