Rocketsports driver Alex Tagliani enters the second
European race on the CART Champ Car World Series schedule in ninth position in
the series standings with 22 points
source: cart.com
Tagliani is positive and focused on the May 11th race. "This
is our first oval race of the season and the EuroSpeedway is my favorite oval.
It will be a tight race with many teams performing well. I hope to be fast and
have some good results," said Tagliani. "
As Tagliani prepares for the 2.023 mile oval he continues to work closely with
engineers Will Phillips and Adam Schaechter on the set-up of the #33 Johnson
Controls Ford-Cosworth Bridgestone Lola. "For the German 500 we will try to
set the car up based on what we already know of the track and past performances,
but we must keep the same basic package we used at Brands Hatch," explained
Tagliani.
"We can make changes on-site during our practice sessions to respond
to the track and conditions, which will be fairly different from England. The
Ford-Cosworth engine has the power to endure 154 laps on the super speedway, so
our job is to set the car up and run it the best we can."
The last time Tagliani raced on the tri-oval German circuit was in 2001 when he
qualified 13th and finished 21st with a DNF due to contact. "I feel confident
with Rocketsports and Paul (Gentilozzi). I see my return to Lausitz as a new
experience with my new team," said Tagliani.
"For sure, I wish I were never involved in that crash (in 2001 involving Alex
Zanardi). We have all been very strong and carried on. I've crashed on other
ovals in the past and it will take a lap or two to get back into it, but then
it's a whole new race."
Antoine L'Estage and his codriver Alan Ockwell of the Yokohama Canada Rally Team won the 2014 edition of the Rallye Defi by winning every stage of the rally.