source:
crash.net
The Walker Racing Team has completed a successful day of testing at Sebring
International Raceway with 2004 Euro F3000 Champion, Nicky Pastorelli getting
the chance to get behind the wheel of a Champ Car for the first time.
The test was also the first time Pastorelli had been to the famous Sebring track
and may provide a glimpse of things to come for Walker Racing as it expands to a
two-car effort in 2005.
"We had a good, productive test with Nicky as his clear feedback and smooth,
tidy driving style allowed him to adapt to the Champ Car quickly and post some
very good lap times in spite of the cool Florida conditions," team owner Derrick
Walker said. "The Champ Car World Series continues to be one of the best
formulas in the world. When you consider the car, the engine, and the racing
cost versus value, Champ Car is second to none in my opinion, and I think it is
a great option for European drivers in their quest for Formula One."
Pastorelli adapted quickly to the 750 horsepower Champ Cars, and was quite
surprised by the power of the Ford-Cosworth engine.
"The power was huge, but very controlled," he said. "It is a fun car to drive,
but a very serious race car, it is almost an F1 car. I was very happy with the
team, they are very professional like teams in Europe. The engineers and I
worked very well together, as we made changes we went faster each time, I felt
very comfortable with the team.