[Jase007]

FYI:

[start clip]
A Record Breaking Day At The Glen
June 16th, 2005

One thing was learned from today’s test session – we can expect that the IndyCar Series cars will continue to challenge today’s historic, record-breaking day when they return for the Inaugural Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix presented by Argent Mortgage on September 25th.

During the Indy Racing League’s Open Test, the track’s fastest lap record was officially broken by Target Chip Ganassi driver Ryan Briscoe in his Toyota Panoz, who recorded a lap of 1:31.7200 (132.272mph). Briscoe’s Toyota beat the record lap previously held by Formula 1 driver Bruno Giacarmelli, set in 1980. In 1980 the track was similar in length but had a slightly different configuration. Briscoe’s record lap also beat Andrea Montermini’s 1997 record lap of 1:38.573 (124.17mph), recorded on the current Watkins Glen International layout.

Briscoe commented on his successful day, “ I had a good day. It’s amazing and fun to drive on this fantastic racetrack. It’s so fast and challenging. You’re full throttle from Turn One all the way down the back straight. I think we’ll be even faster in the race because of the slipstream”.

Team 7-Eleven driver Tony Kanaan was also at the top of the charts for most of the test and set the second quickest lap of the day with a 1:31.7204 (132.272mph). “ I was impressed when I got here today. It’s very physical, very difficult, and very demanding. It’s everything you want to have in a good racetrack”, said Kanaan.

Nineteen Indy Car drivers, including Indy 500 champion Dan Wheldon and rookie sensation Danica Patrick, tested the twists and turns of The Glen collecting valuable data about their cars while giving fans and media members from far and wide an opportunity to view these racing machines up close. All 19 Indy car drivers recorded laps less than 1 minute, 38 seconds. It was a day for the record books at The Glen. [end clip]

**For those that haven't been there ... that is smoking fast!!! Take a look at recent video from Damon and Goodrich on R-list racing forum turning 1:56 - 2:05 in 930/935 style cars to get an idea.

I think I can get to the "31s" in the '73 2.8L this weekend. I'll let you know Monday

Jase