New Panoz has issues, but passes first test

The new Panoz DP01 Champ Car has many nagging issues, but it's quickly turning into quite a race car.

"I think it's like any new car," Paul Tracy said after Sunday's Vegas GP. "I've been in the series long enough to know we went through a stage where we ran the same car for six or seven years, and everything was dialed-in on them. The cars handled perfectly. They rolled off the trailer with the thing perfect all the time because you knew all the numbers on it.

"But back in '99, '98, '97, we had a new car every year and we'd have these niggling problems every year. You would have a gearbox issue. You would have this problem, wheel bearing problems, all kinds of things that you'd have to work your way through. So that's part and parcel with working with a brand-new car. I think the racing is good. Obviously we've been able to get our car figured out for the most part mechanically. It's just today our fuel rig didn't want to put the fuel in the car. That's just one of those things that we need to work on."

Race winner Will Power also likes the DP01. "I think this car is a lot quicker than last year's car," Power said. "It's got a lot more downforce. Like Paul said, there's always little niggling problems but, all in all, it's pretty good. It's surprising how little problems there are. I think after the first three races for the rest of the season I'd be surprised if anyone has any problems. I really enjoy driving it. It's a really nicely-balanced car when you get it set up. I think Panoz did a real good job with a one-make series."

Tracy said he believes the DP01's aerodynamic package has also made it possible to race a little closer. "I think it's great, the bigger tunnels in the car," Paul commented. "With the Lola on a track like this where the corners are all kind of medium speed and aerodynamics are important, I don't think you could run as closely as Will and I ran together in the beginning of the race without really destroying your tires and disturbing the car a lot.

"When Will made the pass on me we came out of the tunnel and through a fifth-gear 160 mph, blind sweeper corner that's pretty tough to do flat when you're in front. He was tucked right up behind my gearbox and that's the benefit of having the ground effects–the tunnel–doing the work instead of all the wings. I think it's created much better racing."