Rookie Carpentier Impresses on Oval Again

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Rookie Carpentier Impresses on Oval Again
©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc.
Third fastest Saturday morning, leads rookies at Rio
CART rookie of the year co-leader Patrick Carpentier once again demonstrated his affinity for ovals, managing to turn the third-fastest lap of this morning's practice despite constant interruptions for yellow flags. The young Canadian, who pilots the Team Alumax Reynard/Mercedes-Benz and currently shares the rookie of the year lead with fellow Mercedes driver Dario Franchitti, qualified third on the oval at Nazareth, Pa., two weeks ago.
"The time was really good," Carpentier said. "We changed a few things this morning, most of them mechanical and the car just kept getting better and better. Obviously we want to stay up with the top guys this afternoon."
Mauricio Gugelmin used the session to continue working on his race setup, posting the sixth quickest lap in his Hollywood-sponsored car. Marlboro Team Penske drivers Paul Tracy and Al Unser Jr. did the same, ending the session ranked 10th and 11th, respectively. Greg Moore was 15th in the Player's/Forsythe Racing entry.
"I'm pretty happy with the balance of the car and very happy with the power of the engine. Now it's just a matter of putting together a good lap for qualifying. Either way, it's going to be close."
Two of the many caution periods during the session involved Mercedes-powered cars. Mark Blundell spun in turn one when a coolant system leak deposited water on his tires, sending the Motorola Reynard/Mercedes into the turn one wall. Blundell was able to return to the session in his backup car.
"That was a scrappy session," Blundell said. "We had a fluid loss and clipped the barriers, and it wasn't particularly productive with all the yellows. I think we only got about eight timed laps during the session, but we'll take that into account and do the best job we can this afternoon."
Franchitti, struggling with handling problems, also spun in turn one, backing the Hogan Racing entry into the wall lightly. He, too, was able to continue in the backup car.
Qualifying is scheduled for this afternoon. Tomorrow's race will be televised by ABC starting at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Source: CART News Service


		JUST RELEASED! — The Official Directory for CART Racing

		Rookie Carpentier Impresses on Oval Again ©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc. Third fastest Saturday morning, leads rookies at Rio CART rookie of the year co-leader Patrick Carpentier once again demonstrated his affinity for ovals, managing to turn the third-fastest lap of this morning's practice despite constant interruptions for yellow flags. The young Canadian, who pilots the Team Alumax Reynard/Mercedes-Benz and currently shares the rookie of the year lead with fellow Mercedes driver Dario Franchitti, qualified third on the oval at Nazareth, Pa., two weeks ago. "The time was really good," Carpentier said. "We changed a few things this morning, most of them mechanical and the car just kept getting better and better. Obviously we want to stay up with the top guys this afternoon." Mauricio Gugelmin used the session to continue working on his race setup, posting the sixth quickest lap in his Hollywood-sponsored car. Marlboro Team Penske drivers Paul Tracy and Al Unser Jr. did the same, ending the session ranked 10th and 11th, respectively. Greg Moore was 15th in the Player's/Forsythe Racing entry. "I'm pretty happy with the balance of the car and very happy with the power of the engine. Now it's just a matter of putting together a good lap for qualifying. Either way, it's going to be close." Two of the many caution periods during the session involved Mercedes-powered cars. Mark Blundell spun in turn one when a coolant system leak deposited water on his tires, sending the Motorola Reynard/Mercedes into the turn one wall. Blundell was able to return to the session in his backup car. "That was a scrappy session," Blundell said. "We had a fluid loss and clipped the barriers, and it wasn't particularly productive with all the yellows. I think we only got about eight timed laps during the session, but we'll take that into account and do the best job we can this afternoon." Franchitti, struggling with handling problems, also spun in turn one, backing the Hogan Racing entry into the wall lightly. He, too, was able to continue in the backup car. Qualifying is scheduled for this afternoon. Tomorrow's race will be televised by ABC starting at 2:30 p.m. ET. Source: CART News Service