Parker Talks about Rio

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Parker Talks about Rio
©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc.
Parker Johnstone about his team, the track and
his chances at Rio
On His Team and Chances at Rio:
parker's tools "Last year we qualified fifth and raced well, although we had amechanical failure that put us out at the end. Unfortunately, I don'thave that reference material to take back with me this year because Iam with a different team. But I know what a good car feels like atRio and what directions to take on a set-up.
"Although Team Kool-Green is a very experienced team, this will be thefirst time we run at Rio as a team and that makes it difficult. Atthe same time, we are now getting into the heart of the season andhave had the opportunity to work together first in pre-season testingand now through four race weekends. We're getting a real sense ofworking together, and about my likes and dislikes with regards to thecar's performance. I think our package of Reynard chassis, Hondaengine and Firestone tires should be competitive at Rio; it's up tous at Team Kool-Green to get the most out of that package."
About Racing at Rio:
"I think everyone is looking forward to Rio because every driver hadnothing but rave reviews for the layout of the track last year. It'sa different kind of oval, being D-shaped. So it allows strategies youmight see in NASCAR racing with drafting down the straightaways,combined with what you need for overtaking in fairly severe cornersthat require heavy breaking and downshifting three gears.
"The drafting and braking strategies result in a very dynamic race.There were times last year when I went from fifth to eight to sixth...and everybody was racing all through the pack from start to finish."
One Lap at the EmersonFittipaldi Speedway:
"The thing that makes the Brazil track somuch fun to drive is the combination of long straights fordrafting and the hard braking zones in the turns, both of whichyield great passing opportunities all the way around.
"From the start-finish line, you accelerate up to sixth gearbefore going into Turn One, where you're hard on the brakes anddownshifting from sixth to third. It's a late apex turn, andyou try to feed the throttle on the exit as soon as possible. Agood exit speed out of Turn One is critical for the entire backhalf of the course. While Turns Two and Three are very precise,you can take them flat in sixth gear (building up from fifth inTurn Two) without any downshifting. Turn Four requires you toget hard on the brakes and downshift again from sixth to third,but there's not much room at the exit, so you have to becareful not to carry too much speed into the turn. You have toget a good speed coming out of the turn, though, in order todraft and pass along the front straight."


		JUST RELEASED! — The Official Directory for CART Racing

		Parker Talks about Rio ©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc. Parker Johnstone about his team, the track and his chances at Rio On His Team and Chances at Rio: "Last year we qualified fifth and raced well, although we had amechanical failure that put us out at the end. Unfortunately, I don'thave that reference material to take back with me this year because Iam with a different team. But I know what a good car feels like atRio and what directions to take on a set-up. "Although Team Kool-Green is a very experienced team, this will be thefirst time we run at Rio as a team and that makes it difficult. Atthe same time, we are now getting into the heart of the season andhave had the opportunity to work together first in pre-season testingand now through four race weekends. We're getting a real sense ofworking together, and about my likes and dislikes with regards to thecar's performance. I think our package of Reynard chassis, Hondaengine and Firestone tires should be competitive at Rio; it's up tous at Team Kool-Green to get the most out of that package." About Racing at Rio: "I think everyone is looking forward to Rio because every driver hadnothing but rave reviews for the layout of the track last year. It'sa different kind of oval, being D-shaped. So it allows strategies youmight see in NASCAR racing with drafting down the straightaways,combined with what you need for overtaking in fairly severe cornersthat require heavy breaking and downshifting three gears. "The drafting and braking strategies result in a very dynamic race.There were times last year when I went from fifth to eight to sixth...and everybody was racing all through the pack from start to finish." One Lap at the EmersonFittipaldi Speedway: "The thing that makes the Brazil track somuch fun to drive is the combination of long straights fordrafting and the hard braking zones in the turns, both of whichyield great passing opportunities all the way around. "From the start-finish line, you accelerate up to sixth gearbefore going into Turn One, where you're hard on the brakes anddownshifting from sixth to third. It's a late apex turn, andyou try to feed the throttle on the exit as soon as possible. Agood exit speed out of Turn One is critical for the entire backhalf of the course. While Turns Two and Three are very precise,you can take them flat in sixth gear (building up from fifth inTurn Two) without any downshifting. Turn Four requires you toget hard on the brakes and downshift again from sixth to third,but there's not much room at the exit, so you have to becareful not to carry too much speed into the turn. You have toget a good speed coming out of the turn, though, in order todraft and pass along the front straight."