Fernández returns
to the track with Sebring test
February 5, 2004
First pre-season testing for
Fernández Racing
Fernández Racing
After three months away from the cockpit,
Fernandez Racing Owner/Driver Adrian Fernandez returned to the race track this week,
turning his first laps aboard the #51 Quaker State/Telmex/Tecate
Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone in preparation for the 2004 Champ Car World Series
season. The two-day test, which concluded this afternoon, was held at Sebring
International Raceway in Florida.
Visita México
Fernández Racing
“It was nice to drive the car again,
definitely,” said Fernandez, who had no problem quickly dusting off the cobwebs
following the long break. “We had a good test and were pretty competitive both days. We
tested a lot of things that we needed to test to address some of the problems we had
last year. We had our own agenda for testing and our setup was not particular to
Sebring; it was more geared towards the tracks where we have had some problems. We are
pretty pleased with the results and have a lot of data that we can use in the future.
The conditions for testing were excellent and it was a good start to the season for us.”
Adrián and the engineers
Fernández Racing
The team turned a total of 176 laps during
two days of running, taking a break from on-track activities on Wednesday to review data
and plan for today’s focus. Fernandez posted a best lap time of 51.21 seconds around the
1.67-mile permanent road course. Several other teams including Herdez Competition, PK
Racing and Mi-Jack Conquest Racing also were testing.
Fernandez will be contesting his 12th season of Champ Car competition when the green
flag waves for the first time in 2004 at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April
18. Fernandez, who ended last season with a 13-race point-scoring streak, notched
another milestone in his career when he claimed his first win as an owner/driver this
past June.
Tecate
Fernández Racing
“Our goal for this year is to be consistent
and to produce competitive cars at every single race track,” added Fernandez. “If we can
do that, and with a little bit of luck, I think we can put ourselves in a position to
win the championship and that is our main, main focus. To be competitive – to have the
car that we had in Miami, to have the car we had in Denver, in Portland, etc., etc. –
and be more consistent and not have the drawbacks that we had in some races. I feel
pretty confident. Obviously, we always say the same things at the beginning of the year,
but this is our fourth year and we have collected a lot of data and the team is more
integrated. That’s why I really feel we have more chances this year.”
During the session
Fernández Racing
Team Manager Gustavo del Campo echoed the
sentiments of the #51 crew, who were glad to be back in action following a long winter
break away from the track.
“After waiting and waiting these last three months, you can look around the paddock and
see that everyone is happy,” said del Campo. “We feel very good about the test and the
team did a tremendous job. We had a problem with the intake valve on the engine and had
to switch to the T-car this afternoon, and the car was perfect straight away.
The trailer
Fernández Racing
“With only eight testing days, you have to
make plans for a more efficient way to use these days. That is why we didn’t run
yesterday and used this time to make our plan for today. We focused on tracks where we
had problems last year, and we have a very good baseline for Long Beach. I think we are
in very good shape.”
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