Seen in Sebring – IV
(L to R) Nicky Pastorelli is fairly confident of landing a Champ Car ride in 2007, he will meet with Paul Gentilozzi today. Bruno Junqueira waits anxiously to get into Dale Coyne's 2nd car. The new external starter assembly used when the car is in the pits. The unit is much smaller than the previous version.
01/24/07 Wednesday morning has dawned overcast but dry so far in Sebring, Florida where the Champ Car and ALMS teams have gathered for preseason testing. There is a slightly greater chance for showers today. Depending on who you talk to the new Panoz Champ Car is 10 pounds lighter or 7 pounds heavier than the overweight Lola it replaces. The goal of making the new car lighter was dealt a setback when the starter, starter battery, and paddle shift system were added. However, everyone feels having theses systems is more important than the car being lighter.
As heavy as it is, the new car should prove to be faster on street circuits where corners are tight because the wheelbase of the new car is some 7 inches less than the Lola. However, on high speed corners like we see on ovals a longer wheelbase is better. Of course Champ Car no longer has ovals on its schedule so a shorter car is good.