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Mauricio Gugelmin completed 77 laps during the team's first of three plannedtest days with the new 1999 Reynard Chassis yesterday at Sebring InternationalRaceway. Gugelmin posted a best time of 52 seconds, nearly a second-and-a-halfquicker than the team's previous best test with a '98 car earlier this year.Gugelmin spent much of the day conducting the initial shake-down program onChassis #001, the first '99 Reynard to be delivered to a Champ Car team.The #18 Hollywood PacWest Mercedes-Benz was fitted with an interim '98 Mercedes-BenzIC108E powerplant until the new IC108F engine becomes available.
"We're very encouraged," commented Technical Director Allen McDonald. "We spent abetter part of the morning trying different configurations and getting Mauriciocomfortable with the car. He is very pleased and we're making good progress.I'm looking forward to tomorrow."
The test will continue through Friday.
Source: PacWest Racing Group
