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IndyCar: Pippa Mann enjoys successful test with Conquest Racing

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Khatir Soltani
British female driver Pippa Mann had her first taste of an IndyCar, driving one of Eric Bachelart’s Conquest Racing’s Dallara-Hondas on Tuesday at Texas Motor Speedway.

The test, which was originally planned for Monday, was postponed to Tuesday on account of cold temperatures and high winds in the area.

Eric Bachelart and Pippa Mann. (Photo: Conqest Racing/Didier Noirhomme)

Mann was also quick to complete her IndyCar Series rookie test, which allowed the team to move on to the remainder of the day’s testing plan. Although a fuel pump issue interrupted part of the day, the crew was able to promptly fix the problem and return to the track.

“Pippa quickly got up to speed and was setting competitive lap times early on and that isn’t always the case for someone turning their first laps in an Indy car,” said team owner Eric Bachelart.

“She did a really great job and provided really good feedback to the team, which helped us to make some changes and make the car even better balanced and faster. Overall I’m very pleased with how the day went and with what we were able to accomplish.”

Photo: pippamann.com

“We ran some competitive lap times, both on new and used tires,” said Pippa Mann. “Overall I'm not only pleased, but excited by how the test went. I loved my first day in an Indy car as well as the high banks of Texas and running the high speeds.”

The 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series season gets underway Sunday, March 27 with the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
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