Transitioning teams getting ready for Sebring test
The team manager and shop personnel have been diligently working to prepare the Dallara/Honda/Firestone package for delivery to Sebring International Raceway, where it will test March 19-20 in preparation for its first IndyCar Series race.
Conquest Racing, Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, KV Racing Technology, Dale Coyne Racing and HVM Racing are expected to make the transition to the IndyCar Series from the Champ Car World Series. Since the announcement about unification in late February, teams have been working around the clock to prepare for the start of the season March 29 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
"I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now," Mower said. "It's only basically come together (in the past couple of days) with a lot of items. It's been a monumental task not only for us, but for us, the IRL, for the other teams that have been assigned to help teams. To do it in two to three weeks has been incredible."
The teams received their cars the first week of March, and have been aided by existing IndyCar Series teams with technical instruction and data and basic setups.
"The first thing was the tubs, painting the tubs, adjusting the bodywork," said Eric Bachelart, Conquest Racing's co-owner. "While we were doing that, we only got the engines March 11, we started to prepare the different components of the car, crack test everything, build everything. Now that we have the engine, we can start to do all the trimming of the car."
Every box arriving at the shop is "like Christmas."
"Over the years, you find yourself in some amazing situations," Bachelart said. "There is always a solution. It's OK. We have a good team manager, and he's well on top of everything. I'm concerned but not overly worried. At least we're going to be there."