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©1998 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc. Naoki Hattori made his Walker Racing debut at Firebird International Raceway,November 17-18. The Honda engine test at Firebird was the first of severaltest sessions scheduled for Hattori, who will pilot a second champ car forDerrick Walker's team in the 1999 CART season. Driving a '98 Reynard-Honda on Goodyear tires, Hattori logged nearly 400miles in total for the two-day session and recorded a best lap time around the1.21 mile road circuit of 44.3 seconds. In comparison, Gil de Ferran, driverof Walker's Valvoline/Cummins entry, tested at Firebird in August and had abest lap of 43.6 seconds. It was Hattori's first experience driving a champcar at Firebird. Walker Quote: "Naoki did very well for his first real test in a Champcar. We were very pleased by his approach to the test: he was very focusedand worked on improving his lap times. There is a lot to learn and take inwhen you make this big of a step from Indy Lights. We were very impressed.The plan is to have Naoki reach 3,000 miles of testing before the first eventin Homestead (Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami, March 21, 1999)." Hattori Quote: "Before I drove a champ car, I was a bit nervous becauseit's much different than Indy Lights -- more power, bigger engine, differenttires -- basically, everything is different. However, after I starteddriving, everything felt very comfortable. Control and speed is much moredifficult than in a Lights car, but I (proved to myself that I) can do it. Itested different car setups and was able to find my favorite settings. Ofcourse, I have to test more, but we made good progress. Everyone on the teamis very professional. I am very excited about the start of the season." Walker Racing's next test session for Naoki Hattori is scheduled for December2-4 at Laguna Seca Raceway. Gil de Ferran, Hattori's 1999 teammate, will alsobe at Laguna Seca to test for Honda and Goodyear. Source: Walker Racing | ||
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