Monday was the first day of open testing for the 2008 for the Champ Car Atlantic series at Sebring International Raceway and many drivers and teams were on hand to get back into the motion of racing.
At the end of the day, Canadian James Hinchcliffe of the Forsythe Championship Racing team turned a best lap at 57.449 seconds. Second quickest was American driver Jonathan Bomarito of Sierra Sierra Enterprises who posted a lap at 57.542 seconds in his first official test session with the team that won the 2007 series title.
Newcomer at Forsythe Racing, Mexican David Garza impressed with a third place at 57.860 seconds.
Fourth quickest was second-year American driver J.R. Hildebrand with Genoa Racing at 57.981 seconds. Brooks Associates, Finnish rookie Markus Niemela completed the top five with a best lap at 57.997 seconds.
Quebecer Kevin Lacroix, driving for Walker Racing was not too far off as he completed his day 6th at 58.004 seconds. Lacroix finished the day ahead of his two teammates, brothers Greg and Leo Mansell.
Testing continues today.
Combined times from Day 1 of the Sebring test:
1. James Hinchcliffe, #3 Forsythe Championship Racing, 57.449 sec.
2. Jonathan Bomarito, #6 Sierra Sierra Enterprises, 57.542 sec.
3. David Garza, #7 Forsythe Championship Racing, 57.860 sec.
4. J.R. Hildebrand, #17 Genoa Racing, 57.981 sec.
5. Markus Niemela (R), #8 Brooks Associates Racing, 57.997 sec.
6. Kevin Lacroix, #25 Walker Racing, 58.004 sec..
7. Carl Skerlong, #28 Pacific Coast Motorsports, 58.116 sec.
8. Daniel Morad (R), #70 Eurointernational, 58.121 sec.
9. Alan Sciuto, #26 Mathiasen Motorsports, 58.246 sec.
10. Dane Cameron (R), #9 Sierra Sierra Enterprises, 58.350 sec.
11. Greg Mansell (R), #5 Walker Racing, 58.429 sec.
12. Juho Annala (R), #21 Conquest Racing, 58,472 sec.
13. Mike Forest, #32 PR1 Motorsports, 58.540 sec.
14. Sebastien Chardonnet (R), #18 Conquest Racing, 58.583 sec.
15. Adrien Herberts, #45 Paladin Motorsports, 58.594 sec.
16. Frankie Muniz, #29 Pacific Coast Motorsports, 58.711 sec.
17. Filip Salaquarda (R), #10 Brooks Associates Racing, 58.732 sec.
18. John Edwards, #36 Newman Wachs Racing, 58.787 sec.
19. Simona De Silvestro, #34 Newman Wachs Racing, 58.833 sec.
20. Leo Mansell (R), #15 Walker Racing, 58.881 sec.
21. Brett Van Blinkers (R), #2 Jensen MotorSport, 59.147 sec.
22. Dillon Battistini (R), #13 Jensen MotorSport, 59.252 sec.
23. Larry Connor (R), #27 Genoa Racing, 59.317 sec.
24. Imran Husain, #37 Genoa Racing, 1:00.820
At the end of the day, Canadian James Hinchcliffe of the Forsythe Championship Racing team turned a best lap at 57.449 seconds. Second quickest was American driver Jonathan Bomarito of Sierra Sierra Enterprises who posted a lap at 57.542 seconds in his first official test session with the team that won the 2007 series title.
Newcomer at Forsythe Racing, Mexican David Garza impressed with a third place at 57.860 seconds.
Fourth quickest was second-year American driver J.R. Hildebrand with Genoa Racing at 57.981 seconds. Brooks Associates, Finnish rookie Markus Niemela completed the top five with a best lap at 57.997 seconds.
Quebecer Kevin Lacroix, driving for Walker Racing was not too far off as he completed his day 6th at 58.004 seconds. Lacroix finished the day ahead of his two teammates, brothers Greg and Leo Mansell.
Testing continues today.
Combined times from Day 1 of the Sebring test:
1. James Hinchcliffe, #3 Forsythe Championship Racing, 57.449 sec.
2. Jonathan Bomarito, #6 Sierra Sierra Enterprises, 57.542 sec.
3. David Garza, #7 Forsythe Championship Racing, 57.860 sec.
4. J.R. Hildebrand, #17 Genoa Racing, 57.981 sec.
5. Markus Niemela (R), #8 Brooks Associates Racing, 57.997 sec.
6. Kevin Lacroix, #25 Walker Racing, 58.004 sec..
7. Carl Skerlong, #28 Pacific Coast Motorsports, 58.116 sec.
8. Daniel Morad (R), #70 Eurointernational, 58.121 sec.
9. Alan Sciuto, #26 Mathiasen Motorsports, 58.246 sec.
10. Dane Cameron (R), #9 Sierra Sierra Enterprises, 58.350 sec.
11. Greg Mansell (R), #5 Walker Racing, 58.429 sec.
12. Juho Annala (R), #21 Conquest Racing, 58,472 sec.
13. Mike Forest, #32 PR1 Motorsports, 58.540 sec.
14. Sebastien Chardonnet (R), #18 Conquest Racing, 58.583 sec.
15. Adrien Herberts, #45 Paladin Motorsports, 58.594 sec.
16. Frankie Muniz, #29 Pacific Coast Motorsports, 58.711 sec.
17. Filip Salaquarda (R), #10 Brooks Associates Racing, 58.732 sec.
18. John Edwards, #36 Newman Wachs Racing, 58.787 sec.
19. Simona De Silvestro, #34 Newman Wachs Racing, 58.833 sec.
20. Leo Mansell (R), #15 Walker Racing, 58.881 sec.
21. Brett Van Blinkers (R), #2 Jensen MotorSport, 59.147 sec.
22. Dillon Battistini (R), #13 Jensen MotorSport, 59.252 sec.
23. Larry Connor (R), #27 Genoa Racing, 59.317 sec.
24. Imran Husain, #37 Genoa Racing, 1:00.820