Atlantic Drivers Keep On Digging

[Dov]

From speedtv.com:

Valiante set the fastest time of the day, but considering his total lack of previous Champ Car experience, Andrew Ranger came in a close second. “The car is so fast, it’s almost crazy!,” he exclaimed. “You push the gas so hard, and immediately you have to brake hard - your body just never stops moving! In an Atlantic car, since it so much slower, you can get some rest on the straights, something you never get to do in a Champ Car.” Considering Ranger completed 133 laps, that must have been quite a workout. But the youngster is not complaining. Far from it. “Of course I’m a bit tired, but not that much. I’ve been training [in the gym] a lot, and it seems to be paying off,” he grinned.

[Snrub]

Anyone know the times? Vaniante seems to have the right attitude, he's made some very mature comments regarding his philosophy driving champ cars.

[gttouring]

Ranger i like, valiante is good too, Dzail sorry-(ryan "deeeahl") is impressive, these guys really have a knack and perhaps can anchor the sport with there good attitudes and good racing for years to come..
it has been a while since sucha crop of drivers came through, it always seems like it was one or 2 at a time, no so many hopefuls. or is it because there is opportunity from within the series, or so may top series to choose from...or is it really changing of the guard?

[BootsOntheSide]

Most of those guys have been knocking on the door for 2 or 3 years already though.

[Dov]

Originally posted by Snrub
Anyone know the times? Vaniante seems to have the right attitude, he's made some very mature comments regarding his philosophy driving champ cars.

Michael Valiante Canada Dale Coyne Racing Lola 51.88 sec 110 Laps
Andrew Ranger Canada Forsythe Racing Lola 52.07 sec 123 Laps
Jarek Janis Czech Republic Forsythe Racing Lola 52.25 sec 107 Laps
Marcus Marshall Australia Dale Coyne Racing Lola 52.45 sec 92 Laps

[Kicking-back]

Originally posted by gttouring
Ranger i like, valiante is good too, Dzail sorry-(ryan "deeeahl")

"Day-ell"

[Ac.]

The most interesting quote in this article is the following.

Like his more experienced countryman, 18-year-old Ranger is nurturing hopes of contesting the big league next year. “It all depends on whether my sponsor [Proctor & Gamble Canada] decides to move up,” he revealed.

If Ranger does move up, which team would he be going to? And as much as I would like to see him in a Champ Car, perhaps another year in Atlantics would be a better for his long term career.

[f1manoz]

Fingers crossed some of these guys are given an opportunity for next season. Would be great to see some of these obviously talented racers get a chance at the big time.

[Dov]

From newssun.com:

Marshall has put much at stake upon his ability to do so with the Champ Car series. Having exhausted all his options back home, where he impressed on the Australian F3 series, it's either win a spot with Dale Coyne or race on a European circuit.

[jjspierx]

Originally posted by Kicking-back
"Day-ell"

Actually gttouring was correct, "Dee-All". At least thats how the Speed announcers have been pronouncing it for 2 years now, as well as the Portland Live announcer at the 3 races I've seen him there at.

[Kicking-back]

I'm just giving you how his family would say it.

It's a difficult one to phonetically spell.

[Snrub]

Wow, those times are much better than the Monday times. I wonder if the weather wasn't cooperating Monday?

[D.R.T.]

Originally posted by Dov
From newssun.com:

It would be great to see Marcus secure at ride. Great driver, really only came to the attention of the Aus community last year in the Careera Cup category. I can remember watching him in the rain at the Bathurst 24 hour last year, awesome stuff.

Does Marcus have any more testing planned with ChampCar teams.

[Kicking-back]

Marcus Marshall drove in British F3 last year.

He took 1 win after gambling on slicks at a damp race.

Generally he was a back marker though - he's not ready for ChampCars.

[mitchie]

Originally posted by Kicking-back
Marcus Marshall drove in British F3 last year.

He took 1 win after gambling on slicks at a damp race.

Generally he was a back marker though - he's not ready for ChampCars.

Perhaps. To be fair though, he jumped in early/mid season as basically an F3 rookie, especially when compared to those around him. He had one round in the Australian series of F3 experience to his name, in an '01 Dallara compared to the '04 he drove in the UK.

I reckon the times he put together at Sebring suggest he is alot more ready for Champ Car than you think.

[Kicking-back]

I just think he needs more experience first.

Times from one test do not mean a whole lot.

I'm not saying never though.

[BootsOntheSide]

Those times don't relaly cover Janis in glory, do they? He's got the most experience fo the cars, and gets beaten by a Coyne driver and an 18-year-old? I must admit that he hasn't lived up to my expectations so far.

[FIRE]

Euro F3000 champion Nicky Pastorelli (Holland) will test for Walker Racing at Sebring on 14 December.

[Snrub]

So does anyone have any opinions of Pastorelli?

[Kicking-back]

He wasn't the quickest driver in Euro 3000 - although he won the title, the field had little strength in depth.

The jury's out on him, I'd say.