Houston Notebook: Red Bull breaks cover

UPDATE Cars from Team Australia and Minardi Team USA ran a few laps at MSR Houston on Sunday to test improved gearbox components and shift software. Champ Car and Panoz officials are optimistic that the downshift problems that plagued most teams at the Sebring test have been solved. What was learned on Sunday was passed down to the other teams present Monday and Tuesday.

02/13/07 Neel Jani was driving a dark blue car this morning. Then, at about 11:00 am, PKV brought out a car in almost full Red Bull livery (pictured right)…….Only driver we saw around in street clothes today was Dan Clarke…….Legge went straight off in turn 4 way into the mud. Got all the way to the tire barrier (don't know if she hit it). Tore off the front wing and broke the right front suspension (pictured below left). Dale Coyne said the damage wasn't bad and she'd be back out in the afternoon.

One driver, who shall remained unnamed, said that the track was very bumpy. Referring to the mud and dirt berms everywhere, he said it looked like a dirt track. When reminded that MSR was an under-construction country club, he said "Then we shouldn't be here."

You can find our full allotment of Tuesday test photos on our Home page.