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Rosamond, Calif. – Colin Fleming, 2001 CART Stars of
Tomorrow winner and ten-time national karting champion,
recently tested a Fran-Am 2000 race car in conjunction with
Intercar Motorsport and Sandy Dells Racing at Willow Springs
Raceway, near Los Angeles.
"The car is incredible," said Fleming, who hails from North
Hills, California. "I was amazed at how much grip the car
produced and with its driveability throughout the entire
powerband. The car reacted to changes very well and with the
help of Joe Tabor (owner of Intercar Motorsport), Toyota
Atlantic engineer Sandy Dells and F2000 driver Mike Potekhen,
we set some pretty respectable lap times. We got down to the
low 54-second range with more than 300 miles on the tires.
Given the history and reputation of Formula Renault in Europe,
combined with the support of Michelin International, I know
that the Fran-Am series will become very prestigious as well."
Fleming, 17, currently competes in the 2002 Formula Dodge
National Championship presented by Racer as a recipient of the
Barber-CART scholarship, and continues to race in selected
kart events across the country. His next Formula Dodge race is
scheduled for April 12-13 at California Speedway in Fontana.
"I can't thank Intercar Motorsport and Sandy Dells enough for
this opportunity," said Fleming. "Hopefully, I can continue my
relationship with them as I progress through the ladder
system. Naturally, I would also like to thank Skip Barber and
CART for their continued support of my career."
Sandy Dells recently announced that his team has purchased one
car with the intent of running Potekhen in this year's Fran-Am
2000 North American Pro Championship series, and is
considering drivers for two additional cars.
The Fran-Am 2000 Championship, a cousin of Formula Renault in
Europe and South America, begins its inaugural North American
season this year with support from Michelin International.
Each Fran-Am 2000 race features a $25,000 Michelin
International supported cash prize fund, with the overall
series champion winning a ride with a leading Formula Renault
team for the entire 2003 European series.
Formula Renault is recognized worldwide as a primary feeder
for the Formula One stars of tomorrow. Recent graduates
include McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen (who went straight to Formula
One from Formula Renault) as well as Sauber's Felipe Massa.
American Pat Long is competing in the 2002 British Formula
Renault series with Raikkonen’s 2000 championship-winning
Manor Motorsports team.
The Fran-Am 2000 race car is the same car that currently
competes in Formula Renault around the world, and features a
spec-Tatuus carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, sealed
2.0-liter/186-horsepower motor (capable of running an entire
season without a rebuild), 6-speed sequential gearbox, and
spec-Michelin Sport racing tires. The spec nature of the
series has proven to keep operating costs to a minimum, while
providing a level playing field to all competitors. Since gear
sets are pre-determined, race weekend adjustments are
basically limited to wings, spring rates, ride height, castor,
camber and tire pressure. Most races begin with a standing
start, and culminate after 50-60 miles.
Four of the ten race dates for the 2002 Fran-Am 2000 North
American Pro Championship include the Molson Indy Vancouver on
Saturday, July 27, CASCAR at Mosport on June 14-16,
Mid-America Motorplex on September 6-8, and the series finale
at Firebird International Raceway on December 1. In addition,
the series just added a fifth event at Race City Motorsport
Park in Calgary, Canada, on July 21, in conjunction with the
CASCAR Mopar Parts 300 weekend. Further events will be
announced shortly.
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Ricardo
González
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