©1999 SpeedCenter Publishing
Photos by Mike Levitt
Herdez/Payton-Coyne Racing driver Michel Jourdain Jr. and his team had a two-day testing session in Mexico last week (February 16 & 17), during the official launch of the team in Mexico, at the 1.989 mile circuit of Monterrey, located in the north of the country.
Jourdain Jr., who was at the wheel of the fastest Formula Car ever driven at the above track (a Lola B98/00/Ford-Cosworth/Firestone Champ Car), set a new track record last Tuesday with a 56.08-second lap. This happened despite the windy conditions, which didn't help a lot to lower his times. The last testing day (Wednesday), with better weather conditions the Mexican driver was able to set a new record with a 54.07 seconds lap at an average speed of 190.49 Mph. (306.5 Kph.).
Also, the team worked quick changing tires in 7.2 seconds during its best performance. Featuring the "Three Amigos", who are three Mexican mechanics working for the team in a full season basis. Orlando Ledezma is one of them and he was honored at the end of his maiden season in CART (1998), with the Rookie of the Year award by CAM.
This testing was held not only to launch the team in Mexico, also to thank the Monterrey fans for their support. This is the third time that a CART team tests in Mexico, the previous two testing sessions of the Herdez/Payton-Coyne Racing Team were held at the autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City (January 1997 and February 1998).
Antonio Marron, director of the Herdez/Payton-Coyne Racing Team announced that in year 2000 the official launch of the Series could happen in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Source: Herdez PR, Rosa Elena Torres
