And So It Begins...

Work….Testing….Much craziness. Test number three: Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey California. Sun and a little warmth, but no love. A beautiful racing circuit, set against the backdrop of a state park. An area that used to be a military base, and some portions are still ‘off-limits’ with signs posted ‘Live Ammunition’ and areas riddled with unspent cartridges. Still, it is quite picturesque. We had a nice hotel and a beautiful view of Monterey Bay, but sorry to say, we had no opportunity to enjoy it as we left in the morning darkness and returned every night after the sun had set.

We were testing two cars, two drivers this test. Robert Doornbos and Zsolt Baumgartner were the pilots of our two entries. This was Zsolt’s first drive in the new Panoz chassis. He did well, but unfortunately he had a couple of ‘offs’ and the second shunt finished his test altogether. Robert, with about twenty minutes of track time left on the second day, had an almost identical crash. So after loading the two crashed cars onto the transporters, we had to wait for the end of the ‘standing start’ practice before our fuel tanks could be emptied. Sadly, this meant we ended up sitting around two almost loaded transporters for over an hour. We finally got the fuel tanks loaded, the transporters closed and ready for the return home. Not the greatest of ways to finish pre-season testing.

After we all took quick showers and packed up, our van made the trip to San Francisco for the return flight to Indy. It was difficult to remain conscious and I think I nodded off a couple of times on the ride to the airport. The long awaited stop at In-N-Out Burger helped though! A Double-Double, ‘Animal Style’ combo and a chocolate shake, a thing of beauty…and tastiness!! You gotta get a stylin t-shirt too; that goes without saying.

We had a 12:01 am flight on Northwest that stopped in Minneapolis/St. Paul at 6:27 am with a more than three hour layover. Most everyone took the opportunity to sprawl out and sleep. I could not sleep so I took pictures. Due to the overwhelming amount of, and severity of the threats I received, I have chosen not to post these photos. We finally arrived home at 12:43 pm the next day, having a delay receiving our bags. I think we left the airport at 1:30, but we were finally home!

Eager Anticipation...

Back again. A new racing season has rolled around once more. This one brings great promise for my team. Before the last part of the 2006 season, there had been rumors of a Formula 1 team wanting to purchase and take over operation of an Indianapolis based Champ Car team. We are one of 5 teams in Indy; the only remaining team on Gasoline Alley.
After the final race of the '06 season down in Mexico City, our team owner had a meeting alluding to the fact we had been chosen for the Minardi Formula 1 team to purchase. Just before our Christmas party, the official announcement was made, and we were officially to be 'Minardi Team USA'! We got to meet our new team owner, Paul Stoddart, and a few key players of Minardi at the party. We are all very optimistic for the 2007 Champ Car season.

The new chassis arrived for the teams just before the end of December. Teams took delivery of their new cars at the Champ Car world headquarters here in Indy. The car manufacturer (Elan Motorsports) was behind on production, therefore each team only received one chassis at the first delivery. Just one chassis would provide plenty of work for the coming weeks; preparing for the first test in Sebring, Florida.

Receiving the newest livery to the team, we dissected the car. Inspecting the new design, the shop was abuzz with excitement. The lines, the form, emulating the sleekness of a Formula 1 chassis. The fit and finish from the factory was good. Cars, in years past, have been somewhat of a nightmare to build and had required much more work to bring them to racing level. All cars will need preparation, but the newer constructions have lent themselves to better builds.
The weeks of preparation brought extended shop hours to accomplish all the aspects of a new car build. As stated earlier, the newer chassis designs require less work, so we have not had a very hard build. Deadlines are met, but toward the end of a build, the little things cause the biggest headaches. Not having all the parts, and having to fit parts because the design and the actual part don't coincide are a couple of these headaches.

Last night was the ubiquitous 'late night', having the deadline of actually loading the car on the transporter to leave this morning for the first test. We loaded the car and finally left the shop just minutes after 11:00 pm. A great sense of completion and satisfaction comes over you as you see the racecar rolled onto the upper deck of the transporter. Also, a great sense of relief!

As I write now, the transporter is on its way to sunny Florida. Part of the team is traveling Monday to run a 3 day test. I wasn't selected to make the trip, so I will remain and wait for our next car to be delivered - supposedly tomorrow. Many on the team doubt it will make this deadline! As the first car runs in Sebring, those who have back home will begin preparing our second livery. Time is rushing toward the first race, and I'm sure we'll have even later nights and tighter deadlines. The price of 'big-time auto racing'!