Narain Karthikeyan tests Speedcars
Narain Karthikeyan, AT&T BMW Williams F1 Test Driver,
along with Indonesian saloon car racer Moreno Soeprapto and
his brother Ananda Mikola were joined by Swiss regional stock
car racer Alexandre Maus and Italian rally driver Nico Caldarola,
to test two of the championship's 650bhp cars at the Dubai
Autodrome, completing over 60 laps in total.
Commenting after their runs the drivers agreed that the Speedcars
offer race drivers an exceptionally fun racing experience
which will create tight competition and good entertainment
for the crowds.
NARAIN KARTHIKEYAN
"I had a good feel for the car, expecting some sliding
from such a heavy car I had no surprises.
But I have to say the car is a good car, despite its weight
it is very balanced and pretty forgiving, it has a strong
engine and is quick on the straight. The breaking distances
are very long compared to those of single-seater cars of course
and that took some getting used to.
The Speedcar will create a close grid which will promote good
racing and overtaking. The end of each of the Speedcar races
should be very interesting as the tires will be run down and
physical exhaustion will overcome most drivers, it will be
interesting to see the battle between the younger and former
F1 star drivers. It was really a fun car to drive, the weather
was a challenge though with over 40 degrees Centigrade it
gets very hot in the car.
I look forward to coming back and seeing some more of the
Speedcars."
MORENO SOEPRAPTO
"It's a fantastic car with lots of over steer because
of the powerful 650bhp engine which demands quite technical
driving. I expected the breaking in the corners to be much
later, however, this car demands earlier breaking and the
car is slightly nervous while under breaking conditions but
its fun and should deliver a great show. Its extremely hot
inside the car and it will be a tough drive during races,
drivers will need to be very fit. Young as old will need to
have a lot of endurance to handle these cars over the full
race distance."
Over the laps I started feeling the rhythm of the car better
and better and became more comfortable. I am tremendously
looking forward to start the Championship in November.
ANANDA MIKOLA
"The car is so much fun with a lot of under and over
steering. It did surprise me after the second lap and shot
me into a spin, but even that was fun. I am pleased that thereafter
my times were really quick.
I love single-seater racing but have to say that today I truly
had fun in the Speedcar."
ALEXANDRE MAUS
"I imagined the car to be a lot more violent and my biggest
surprise was to find the car nice and smooth to drive handling
well.
The car is scary from the outside, big and chunky, however
once inside it is a pleasure to drive, though the heat today
was just outrageous. You have to plan the breaking distance
well beforehand because its quite a heavy car but the handling
in turns is good.
For me coming from Switzerland driving in a regional championship
it was an honour today to test here and a great accomplishment.
I would recommend this series to any driver who can compete
on this level of motorsports.
The Dubai track was new to me and for that I think I performed
quite well believing that I will be competitive in the Speedcar
Championship, however, my first and main target is to learn
from such professionals as Jean Alesi and his fellow Speedcar
Drivers."
The test was being used by drivers and engineers to perform
tests on a new break system, not to search for ultimate lap
times.
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