PCM Off to a Solid Start
The team completed two and a half days on the popular 1.7-mile test track, which features two-straights and eight turns including a hairpin. Returning for his second season of Champ Car competition, Alex Figge completed 247 trouble-free laps in his #29 Champ Car, while David Martinez of Monterrey, Mexico completed 255 laps throughout the test in the #28 PCM Champ Car.
Martinez is evaluating his options for his first full-season of Champ Car competition; Team Manager Michael Harvey was impressed by his performance in his first test with PCM, “David did a great job throughout the test here at Sebring." Harvey continued, “We knew he is quick based on his previous performances in the Champ Car, but we were also very impressed by his feedback, his ability to develop the car and his teamwork."
Alex Figge opened the 2008 season quickest the first morning of the test and ran in the top-eight throughout, recording his quickest lap Monday morning with a time of 50.521 seconds at 118.929 mph. “Alex was quick immediately, and most importantly, the #29 team worked on developing the car for the upcoming season and they made consistent improvements throughout the test. It looks to be a very competitive field and we are encouraged with our progress," commented Harvey.
The Pacific Coast Motorsports Champ Car team is on its way back to California where they will prepare for a television commercial shoot for series partner, Bridgestone. The PCM Atlantic team, which was announced in Hollywood last week, is on track in Sebring today, with 2008 drivers Carl Skerlong (#28) and Frankie Muniz (#29).
Alex Figge: “I think we had a good test overall. We got the season started on a positive note by learning a lot over the past few days and developing important relationships. Mexico City feels like a long, long time ago and I was really ready to get back in the car, it felt great. I am looking forward to the season. I think the developments we made here at Sebring should help us at Long Beach. I am looking forward to the next couple of test and continued progress. I am going to stick around here for a few days and watch our Atlantic guys; I am excited about this program as well."
David Martinez: “I’m really happy with the work we did today. Right out of the box the car was great and we were able to put in very good laps. Yesterday we had a lot of problems that kept interrupting the test but today things went great and we learned a lot. I’m very happy to have been here in Sebring with Pacific Coast Motorsports. I learned quite a bit about how you need to drive this car and how to use its down force, I have to thank my coaches Lee Bentham and Mike Zimicki, and my engineer Gerald Tyler because they helped me a lot, and together we were able to understand and develop the car. Also, thanks to Tom Figge for this opportunity. I enjoyed working the whole team and I hope I can stick around for the rest of the year."