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ChampCar Atlantic Test - Buttonwillow, CA. |
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Written by Joel Miller
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Wednesday, 19 September 2007 |
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On the way to the circuit yesterday morning is when it really set in that I was finally going to be able to drive an Atlantic car. None of this would have been possible if it were not for the Team USA Scholarship and the people at USRacetronics/Buttonwillow Raceway Park/Champcar/Cosworth/Cooper Tires. Before the test I spoke with various Atlantic drivers about the car, and the biggest point they mentioned was the braking pressure required. In the first session I concentrated on getting the most out of the bakes. Through out the day my lap times were improving with every lap around the track. However, with every lap around the track my neck became more and more fatigued. The USRacetronics team told me that drivers necks are usually the first to go on their rookie test, but I was not going to let this get in the way. In the afternoon, the team manager and engineer decided to practice qualifying runs. Pat and I conducted a series of one timed lap runs which forces a driver to go out and get the job done right away. This training excursive brought about the end of our day at Buttonwillow. Considering the warm conditions, I was able to put together competitive times when compared to regular series drivers. I have to thank everybody who supports the Team USA Scholarship for giving me this opportunity to test the Champcar Atlantic in preparation for the Formula Palmer Audi races later this year in England.
Joel Miller
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 25 October 2007 )
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Formula Palmer Audi Test - Bedford Autodrome |
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Written by Joel Miller
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Monday, 10 September 2007 |
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September 6, 2007 21:30pm UK Time Zone
Today was our final full day in Bedford, England for our testing trip. Like every morning during this trip Pat and I woke up to the lovely smell of staying on an English farm bed and breakfast house. Our wonderful breakfast was cooked by the owner’s daughter every morning which turned out to be very good. Planning to be at the circuit between 9/9:30 am we got our race bag and headed to the track in our FPA loaner car, the ultra high performance VW Passat (being sarcastic on that). Once we arrived, Pat and I checked in with our contact there, Chris Dredge, to see what he had in store for us.
Today, we had the task of working with the corporate program on the go kart track. We had plenty of laughs with this because the people in the corporate program were so slow but still managed to crash real hard. In between sessions Pat and I would put in a few hot laps on the karts. Who was faster you ask? Well, I will leave that determination up to you, but as a reminder I was ICA champ for a reason. Once 5 O’clock came it was our time to get suited up for the afternoon test. Today was our second day in the car, and right out of the gate I was back to my lap time from the day before. I wanted to work with different setup changes today, to see a different feeling in the car.
The two hour test went really well, as I was able to complete 120 miles of testing in only 2 hours (only got out of the car once for a photo shoot). In the end, I was able to post some real competitive times the instructors told me with good consistency. I feel comfortable in the car from the two day test, and I’m looking forward to the race weekends in the fall. Pat and I leave early tomorrow morning for London’s Heathrow on our long plane ride back to the states.
Joel Miller
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Last Updated ( Monday, 10 September 2007 )
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