Champ Car World Series
CHAMP CAR STARS HIT BRUSSELS
The leading stars of the Champ Car World Series gathered in
Brussels today as the Belgian media got the chance to meet
local star Jan Heylen and his championship rivals.
The men who pilot the new Champ Car DP01 were all in attendance
at Autoworld Brussels at the picturesque Parc du Cinquantenaire.
Each was individually introduced to local media and fans
with the DP01 of Heylen presenting a unique contrast against
the host of historic cars on display.
"I got here last week and I've been tremendously busy
with media and sponsor commitments. Everyone is very excited
about the weekend ahead," Heylen said.
"Everyone in Belgium knows about Formula One but we
are bringing a great show over from America and I am confident
we are going to have a lot of fans coming out to take a look.
"Hopefully they'll like what they see and make the trip
to Assen as well."
Veteran Paul Tracy is one of the drivers who competed in
Champ Car the last time the series raced in Europe in 2003
– in fact – the year Tracy won the Vanderbilt
Cup.
"Coming to Belgium is a very exciting opportunity for
everyone in the Champ Car World Series," Tracy said.
"It’s a great time for the series to come to new
venues and the reaction from the fans has been really positive
here in Belgium and the Netherlands.
"I'm really looking forward to hitting the track tomorrow
for the first time."
This weekend's Belgian Champ Car Grand Prix will be followed
by the Bavaria Champ Car Grand Prix in Assen, Netherlands.
AFTER TALKING THE TALK - ITS TIME TO WALK THE WALK
Fresh from their media commitments in Brussels, the stars
of the Champ Car World Series got the chance to do a lap of
the Zolder circuit this afternoon – albeit at a significantly
slower speed.
The Thursday track walk allows the drivers and their engineering
staff to gain a valuable insight into the intricacies circuit
– a vital session when the championship visits a new
track.
While some drivers including Jan Heylen, Will Power, Simon
Pagenaud and Robert Doornbos have raced here previously, for
many stars like Doornbos' team-mate Dan Clarke – doing
a track walk plays a key role in helping learn the circuit.
"From what we saw today the circuit looks really good.
It's going to be fast and allow the Champ Car DP01 to really
spread its swings," the Englishman said.
"This place should really allow the aero on the new
car to work well around here.
"Its hard to know this early what it is going to feel
like out on track, especially since we don't know what's happening
with the weather.
"In Champ Car however, you have to learn the tracks
very fast – the level of competition is very high."
TRACK ACTION KICKS OFF FRIDAY
The Champ Car World Series will hit the track in Zolder for
the first time tomorrow from 10.40am.
The teams will have a 75 minute session to acclimatise themselves
with the circuit before qualifying begins at 2.30pm.
In Friday's one hour qualifying session, the Champ Car World
Series drivers get the chance to lock in a front row starting
position for Sunday's race by being fastest on the opening
day.
The fast Friday star gains a huge advantage by being able
to concentrate on his race set-up throughout the day on Saturday,
rather than trying to improve his grid position.
Live timing for the Champ Car World Series can be followed
at http://www.champcar.ws.
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