TURN ONE CRASH HINDERS TEAM AUSTRALIA
source: bammedia.com.au Team Australia's hopes of successfully celebrating Alex Tagliani's 100th race in the Champ Car World Series today at Denver were ruined by a spectacular first corner crash. Tagliani's Aussie Vineyards Lola was damaged when Cristiano da Matta attemped to charge down the inside at the first corner on the opening lap - bouncing over Tagliani's right front wheel and landing virtually on top of Justin Wilson. Da Matta's team-mate Jimmy Vasser also received significant damage in the accident. After limping back to the pits, Tagliani climbed out of his #15 Lola as the Team Australia crew set to work on repairing damaged front suspension as well as bodywork. After initially losing four laps, the Canadian returned to the race with his battered racecar but had to make two more lengthy pitstops to make further repairs to cure cronic understeer and ensure the car was safe to continue. Tagliani eventually finished in 14th place, but was able to move up a spot to seventh place in the championship standings - closing on Vasser who also spent the remainder of the day in and out of pit lane for repairs. Aussie team-mate Marcus Marshall was able to dodge the first corner drama and moved from 18th to 11th on the opening lap. The Champ Car rookie continued a relatively trouble free race to finish in 12th place - exiting the car in a thirsty state after his in-car drink system which keeps the driver hydrated failed to work. The Champ Car World Series will now head for Tagliani's home soil in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in two weeks on August 28. ALEX TAGLIANI - CAR #15 POSITION: 14th GAP: + 15 laps "I am really disappointed with the race start. I have no idea what Cristiano (da Matta) was thinking - he came charging down the inside on the start where there was no room and ran straight over my front wheel, leapt the kerb and hit Wilson and Vasser. "He basically hit everything that moved at the first corner. "I am so disappointed for the team, that was not the way I wanted to celebrate my 100th race in Champ Cars.
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