Kmart/Budweiser driver Christian Fittipaldi drove the all-new American-made Swift 007.i race car on the 1.2-mile Firebird road course over the weekend.

After a 10 lap shakedown on Saturday, Fittipaldi recorded 125 trouble-free miles on Sunday. The race car was the same Ford-powered Swift Fittipaldi's teammate Michael Andretti drove in a successful debut test on the oval at Phoenix International Raceway late last week.

"The car is great," Fittipaldi said. "The thing that impressed me the most so far is how consistent it is. Even on old tires, it was very consistent. I've never had that before. I ran a 43.9 (second lap) at 1 p.m. in 80 degree weather. We were very happy with the time considering the warm conditions. There is more room in the car and it's better over the bumps compared to last year's car (Lola). It's more forgiving. You can go sideways and still stand on it."

The public can see the new Swift in action at CART Spring Training at the Metro-Dade Homestead Motorsport Complex, January 30 through February 1. Fittipaldi will drive the first two days while Kmart/Texaco Havoline Ford driver Michael Andretti will be behind the wheel on Saturday.

Source: CART News Service

Editor's note: SpeedCenter is expecting to present first photos of the new Swift, taken this weekend at Firebird, later week. Our photographer reports much more noticable understeer onFittipaldi's Swift (Richie Hearn was testing at the same time and looked much smoother in the turns).Obvioulsy the Newman/Haas team will be conservative in their setup of an unknown chassis and avoid damage by prefering understeer.

We are also told that "the Swift was painted like Michaels car last year. Had full sponsors and even had Christians sticker on the side. Slightly short roll hoop,no shark-fin, no pop-off valve, and overall just a "lower" looking car."

Stay tuned for more on the new chassis.