Sierra Sierra and Red Bull teams in compliance
After completion of last Sunday’s Fast Trac 100 Atlantic race at the Grand Prix of Houston, Champ Car Atlantic officials impounded both the #6 Sierra Sierra Enterprises ProWorks car driven this season by Raphael Matos and the #3 Red Bull Team Forsythe Red Bull/INDECK car piloted by rookie Robert Wickens.
Both Mazda-Cosworth/Swift/Cooper machines were transported from Houston to Champ Car headquarters in Indianapolis where each car underwent a complete examination. Once the cars were disassembled, team members were asked to leave as Atlantic officials worked through an extensive process. Both cars were found to meet the standards of 2007 Atlantic rules and regulations for competition and the vehicles were released to the teams on Thursday afternoon.
“Prior to the season, Champ Car had decided to impound both the overall championship and rookie point leader’s cars following the Houston event," said Tony Cotman, Champ Car Vice President of Operations. “The series wanted to examine the cars more thoroughly than the technical inspection we do each day at the racetrack. It’s important for our competitors to know that in a series where driver development is a top priority, both technical and competition rules need to be strictly adhered to. Racing outside of the rules is unacceptable and swift action will be taken if necessary. In this case, we’re happy to report that both teams and both cars measured up to series guidelines. We thank both teams for their cooperation and wish them continued success for the remainder of the 2007 season."
Matos and the Sierra Sierra team have set a torrid pace to begin ’07 as the young Brazilian driver has won each of the first three races to build a 23-point lead in the Atlantic Championship standings. Teammate James Hinchcliffe has posted top-10 finishes in all three events as well, rising to third in the standings. In the first two races of the season, Wickens earned two podium results and won his first series pole position. Wickens and Red Bull Team Forsythe struggled a bit in Houston as the Canadian finished 10th to fall to fourth in the championship rundown while his teammate and fellow rookie John Edwards was 12th in the Fast Trac 100.
All Atlantic teams and drivers will return to action for a doubleheader race weekend June 8-10 at the Champ Car Grand Prix of Portland Presented by Joe’s at Portland International Raceway.
For more information on North America’s premier open-wheel development series, visit www.champcaratlantic.com. Champ Car Atlantic PR