©1998 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc.
The1998 FedEx Championship Series post-season began when thechecker flag waved at the Marlboro 500 on November 1, but it didn't last long for PacWest RacingGroup. The team's brief 7-day post-season officially ended Sunday, November 8 when it took deliveryof the first 1999 Reynard Champ Car chassis.
"It's going to be a great competitive advantage for us getting the new car this early," commentedJohn Anderson, Vice President of Racing Operations. "It's earlier than we've ever had a car before.If you look at where we were last year and where we are now, we're already months ahead of the game."
The Reynard 99I is scheduled to hit the road November 18-20 when Mauricio Gugelmin shakes down the carat Sebring International Raceway. For now, Chassis #001 is being prepped to accept the Mercedes-BenzIC108E powerplant that will power the car for the initial test. The updated Mercedes-Benz IC108F isexpected to arrive shortly thereafter.
"The chassis is basically an evolution of the same successful design Reynard has been winning withfor the last couple years," continued Anderson. "We are impressed with what we see and are eager toput the car to pavement."
The first of the Reynard 99i cars
PacWest Racing Group endured a difficult 1998 season with Gugelmin earning a top finish of fourthand teammate Mark Blundell a sixth. The team looks to regain its 1997 form when Blundell claimedthree victories while Gugelmin captured a win and three poles.
The 1999 FedEx Championship Series will kick off with CART Spring Training set for February 3-4 atHomestead Speedway in Miami.
Source: PacWest Racing Group
