Fast in Georgia

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Fast in Georgia
©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc.
Blundell and Gugelmin sample Savannah's Grand Prize circuit
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PacWest Racing Group drivers Mauricio Gugelmin and Mark Blundell demonstrated their CART Indy cars for the crowd at the Dixie Crystals Grand Prix on the new Grand Prize circuit in Savannah, Georgia. Both men came away highly impressed with the new track.
"It's definitely suitable for a PPG CART World Series race," commented Blundell, driver of the No. 18 Motorola PacWest Mercedes-Benz. "As a brand new facility, you can see it's gotten a vast amount of attention. Savannah is an open marketplace for us to come and put on our show, and it's a good commercial area."
Blundell set a quick time of 1:01.4, around four seconds quicker than the fastest time set by an Indy Lights car. Both he and Gugelmin reckoned there was plenty more to come.
"I'd say that with proper development of setup and optimum tires, we'd lap in the 55 to 58 second range," said Gugelmin, who drove the #17 Hollywood PacWest Mercedes-Benz to pole position for the Hollywood Rio 400 last Sunday. "We're reaching about 190 miles per hour at the end of the straights. Turn 1 is like an oval — you enter at about 190, drop a gear, and get on it. That will be good for passing, because since it's like an oval, you can set somebody up high or low into the following esses. That part of the circuit reminds me of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium."
"As a drivers track, it's good," added Blundell. "It's quite demanding and really physical. It's a fun circuit to drive, and there are at least two and possibly three spots for overtaking. It doesn't have a street course feel — it's more of a road course feel, which is surprising and good for a temporary facility. From a spectator and even a TV viewpoint, there are plenty of great vantage points."
Although the PacWest team is in the midst of a particularly busy month (both CART races in May are sponsored by PacWest's major backers — the Hollywood Rio 400 and the Motorola 300), Gugelmin feels the time spent coming to Savannah was very worthwhile. "It's good for CART racing, and anytime we can promote the sport, we're glad to help. I'm happy to see a new American road course. I enjoy oval racing, but I'm tired of seeing nothing but new ovals. If we come back here to race, I'm going to have an advantage over the competition because I was able to run a few laps in a race car. Besides, I'm just trading a day in the sun in Florida for a day in the sun in Georgia."
Source: CART News Service


		JUST RELEASED! — The Official Directory for CART Racing

		Fast in Georgia ©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc. Blundell and Gugelmin sample Savannah's Grand Prize circuit PacWest Racing Group drivers Mauricio Gugelmin and Mark Blundell demonstrated their CART Indy cars for the crowd at the Dixie Crystals Grand Prix on the new Grand Prize circuit in Savannah, Georgia. Both men came away highly impressed with the new track. "It's definitely suitable for a PPG CART World Series race," commented Blundell, driver of the No. 18 Motorola PacWest Mercedes-Benz. "As a brand new facility, you can see it's gotten a vast amount of attention. Savannah is an open marketplace for us to come and put on our show, and it's a good commercial area." Blundell set a quick time of 1:01.4, around four seconds quicker than the fastest time set by an Indy Lights car. Both he and Gugelmin reckoned there was plenty more to come. "I'd say that with proper development of setup and optimum tires, we'd lap in the 55 to 58 second range," said Gugelmin, who drove the #17 Hollywood PacWest Mercedes-Benz to pole position for the Hollywood Rio 400 last Sunday. "We're reaching about 190 miles per hour at the end of the straights. Turn 1 is like an oval — you enter at about 190, drop a gear, and get on it. That will be good for passing, because since it's like an oval, you can set somebody up high or low into the following esses. That part of the circuit reminds me of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium." "As a drivers track, it's good," added Blundell. "It's quite demanding and really physical. It's a fun circuit to drive, and there are at least two and possibly three spots for overtaking. It doesn't have a street course feel — it's more of a road course feel, which is surprising and good for a temporary facility. From a spectator and even a TV viewpoint, there are plenty of great vantage points." Although the PacWest team is in the midst of a particularly busy month (both CART races in May are sponsored by PacWest's major backers — the Hollywood Rio 400 and the Motorola 300), Gugelmin feels the time spent coming to Savannah was very worthwhile. "It's good for CART racing, and anytime we can promote the sport, we're glad to help. I'm happy to see a new American road course. I enjoy oval racing, but I'm tired of seeing nothing but new ovals. If we come back here to race, I'm going to have an advantage over the competition because I was able to run a few laps in a race car. Besides, I'm just trading a day in the sun in Florida for a day in the sun in Georgia." Source: CART News Service