Pagenaud beats ’03 Champ Car pole time
Pagenaud again exhibited the pace and potential of both he and the new-for-2007 DP01 Champ Car, going quicker than the 2003 pole time of 1:07.058 set by Paul Tracy at the last Champ Car event staged at the circuit as the Frenchman set a best lap time of 1:06.28.
The rookie completed two days of testing around the 2.4-mile (3.86-kilometre) road course in the #15 Aussie Vineyards Team Australia DP01, developing valuable set-up information around the twisting and undulating venue.
Completing two full days of testing, Team Australia and Pagenaud logged a total of 132 laps logging 321 miles (516 kilometres) on the Midwest road course.
Monday and Tuesday’s testing was valuable for Pagenaud as the Frenchman continues to come to grips with the powerful Champ Car after winning the 2006 Champ Car Atlantic Championship.
Team Australia is gearing up for Round 4 of the Champ Car World Series as the green and gold Aussie Vineyards squad heads to Portland International Raceway for the Mazda Champ Car Grand Prix of Portland Presented by Joe's Sports and Outdoor in Portland, Oregon on June 10.
But first, Pagenaud will be joined by Team Australia team-mate Will Power in testing the Aussie Vineyards Champ Cars at the Circuit Mont Tremblant on May 25 in Quebec, Canada ahead of that circuit hosting its first Champ Car event in the sixth round of this year’s championship.
WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY …
Simon Pagenaud – #15 Aussie Vineyards Team Australia DP01
“Mid Ohio is a fantastic track," said Pagenaud.
“I had the chance to push my Aussie Vineyards car to the limits.
“Our test was very productive. We went through the list of items we wanted to test and we were able to find other tools to improve the car during a race weekend. We worked to adapt the car to my driving style.
“Needless to say, we definitely made a serious step forward. I can’t wait to go to the test in Mont Tremblant next week and see where we are compared to the competition.
“The stop watch wasn’t the most important thing, because I really feel comfortable in the car and I know we went in the right direction.
“I really enjoyed these two tests days, where the dialogue with the team was crucial in a way to improve the car. I feel like the entire Team Australia squad did an outstanding job and accomplished our objectives for the test."