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©1999 SpeedCenter Publishing Patrick Racing conducted its eighth test of the off-season with a three day session at Homestead, Florida March 3-5. Tecate/Quaker State/Patrick Racing pilot Adrian Fernandez and Visteon/Patrick Racing driver PJ Jones tested both the 1999 Swift and 1998 Reynard chassis. Utilizing the two different chassis at the test was a return to the program used in earlier testing sessions which proved to be very effective for the team, and helped them advance through the learning curve of working with the new Swift. The team returned to Homestead following a productive session on the 1.5 mile oval during Spring Training in early February, and an even more successful test on the Laguna Seca permanent road course February 23-24. This was the third off-season test the team has held at Homestead. Both drivers did extensive evaluations and "long runs" as they continued to make significant progress in developing the Swift chassis for the start of the 1999 FedEx Championship Series season March 21 at Homestead. Patrick Racing General Manager Jim McGee said, "We feel we are making significant progress in developing the Swift chassis. However, we may not be progressing as quickly as we had hoped. To that end we have worked with the Reynard, as a back-up, in case we need more time in learning about the Swift." Jim also noted that, "Testing both chassis has been very beneficial. Some of the information we have accumulated from testing the Swift helped us with the tests we conducted with the Reynard." "Pat" Patrick commented that, "We are happy with the progress we have made with the 1999 Swift chassis, but I have learned over my many years in racing that it is best to be prepared for any situation that may arise. In an effort to cover all the bases we have been working with the Reynard to prepare it as a back-up and to help us continue to develop the Swift." Patrick also noted that, "I was interested to see that Michael's (Andretti) Swift was almost as fast as the Reynard. Of course Newman/Haas Racing has two more years of development and experience with the Swift." Fernandez, who is entering his seventh CART season and second with Patrick Racing, said, "We have made a lot of progress with the Tecate/Quaker State Swift car. I think we still have some work to do especially on the ovals, but overall I think it is a very good car particularly on the road courses. We did some testing with the Reynard at Homestead which was very helpful. It gave us an opportunity to compare the cars and see where we are at this point in our development of the Swift. It also allows us to keep our options open." Jones, who is beginning his fourth CART season and first with Visteon/Patrick Racing said, "The Visteon/Patrick Racing Swift is a good car. From a team standpoint we still have a lot to learn in terms of making it consistently fast, but I think the Swift has the potential to win races especially on road and street circuits. I think we learned a lot testing both the Swift and the Reynard last week at Homestead. Being with Visteon/Patrick Racing is the best opportunity I have had in my CART career and I know that whatever we decide we will be ready for the start of the season. Fernandez will pilot the #40 Tecate/Quaker State/Patrick Racing Ford-Cosworth entry in 1999. Jones will drive the #20 Visteon/Patrick Racing Ford-Cosworth car.
Source: Patrick Racing |
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