Dragon Racing to finally get its engine
Its cars have been in the paddock the entire time, have gone through technical inspection and its drivers–Sebastien Bourdais and Katherine Legge–have been present, but the one item needed to make the cars go round has been missing in action.
SPEED.com reports hearing from the series sources that issues stemming from a need for financial transactions to take place between both parties were resolved on Monday, which led to Lotus instructing Engine Developments Limited, makers of the 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6, to release an engine from its factory.
Shipping from England, the engine arrived in Florida at 4:20 p.m. this afternoon, and Lotus Indy project manager Olivier Picquenot told SPEED.com he hoped the motor would clear customs and arrive at the track before 10 p.m.
Provided the engine clears, the Dragon team will need to do a complete engine and engine kit installation–an extremely long procedure to do in the field–starting late tonight, which leaves a bit of a question mark as to when the team will hit the track.
Legge, who has been out of a racing car for almost a year, is expected to drive when the car is ready.
Buried in the minutiae of the Dragon/Lotus engine supply situation is the fact that apparently only one lease has been paid for, leaving the status and timing of the second car's on-track appearance in question as well. Speedtv.com