Moseley impresses on Barazi debut.

Stuart Moseley showed just why the Barazi-Epsilon team had taken a punt on his abilities for the forthcoming Le Mans 24 Hours by setting the team's fastest time in pre-race testing after just four dry laps in the Zytek 07S.

Barazi veteran Michael Vergers set the fastest LMP2 time on a slippery track in the first four-hour session and, for much of the session, the Dutchman was as high as tenth overall, but Moseley's afternoon effort lowered the benchmark, even if other, more powerful, machines pushed the #32 car down to 16th overall.

After the lunch break, the team concentrated on giving its newest member as much track time as possible and, during his only four dry laps, Moseley quickly got the feel of the 07S, improving at two seconds a lap before recording a time of 3min 43.920secs, which proved to be the third fastest LMP2 lap of the day behind two Porsche RS Spyders.

Conditions were variable throughout as swathes of rain passed over the circuit, leaving parts wet and parts dry - on the same lap. Knowing that he dare not risk the car with the 24 Hours just over a week away, Moseley's first stint on a wet and drying track gave him a chance to learn the 07S and relearn the track, despite a fuel leak inflicting slight burns to his bottom.

"The car is fantastic," he enthused, "I'm really pleased with how the day has gone and my time in the car. The only things I'd change would be the weather, which was dreadful, and the burnt bum!"

The Briton's second stint gave him just four timed laps in the dry but, in that run, he set the day's fastest Zytek time of 3min 43.920secs.

"I went out straight after the lunch break and did four timed laps before a red flag came out. It was good, and I was third fastest LMP2 behind the two Porsches. After the red flag, I did five laps in the wet and was even happier - until the car started aquaplaning on the back straight. You can't do anything about that, whatever you do with set-up.

"The car is very driveable and has fantastic mechanical grip. It's very user friendly and I can't wait to get out again. There's something very magical about Le Mans and it has to be a career highlight.

"Having driven here a couple of times before, I was able to build the pace up, but one of the most impressive features of the Zytek is its capability in the slow corners. It is also a really comfortable car to drive - the visibility is excellent and seating position good. It is far more driveable in the wet than the cars I have driven previously at Le Mans."

Vergers reported that the entire Barazi-Epsilon team was 'extremely happy' with the way the day had gone, despite the foul conditions.

"We had a routine day with no problems," he claimed, "We're looking strong."

"It was a difficult day to test, with conditions changing on a regular basis," observed Zytek chief designer Tim Holloway, "However, we were able to run at a sensible pace in all conditions and there were no dramas for the two teams using Zytek chassis. We tested some systems and new parts and these proved very successful."