CART: Forsythe Racing - Road America
15 August 1998
GREG MOORE #99 PLAYERS/INDECK REYNARD-MERCEDESPATRICK CARPENTIER #33 PLAYER'S/INDECK REYNARD-MERCEDES
PRE-RACE: TEXACO/HAVOLINE 200, ELKHART LAKE, WISCONSIN
GET IN, SIT DOWN, AND HOLD ONSPEED ABOUNDS
ELKHART LAKE, Wis., August 12, 1998 - Former Formula One Champion Mario Andretti, who spent many seasons driving on Europes famous road courses, considers Road America one of the nicest and fastest road courses in the world. Greg Moore and Patrick Carpentier are ready to put the pedal to the metal on the fast straightaways tucked deep in the heart of the wooded Wisconsin countryside. The 4.048-mile road course is the site for Round 14 of 19 of the CART FedEx Championship Series.
Moores first two CART races at Road America were less than spectacular, yielding zero PPG Cup points. In 1996, he was punted off the course, and last season he spun off the track. But if his quick speeds and dominance of the track at a test session last month is an indication of this weekends showing, Moore should be a front-runner.
"Were looking forward to a good weekend. Road America is a beautiful track, and as a driver its fun to race on. Its a wild ride because youve got fast corners that you can go flat out, some slow corners, and three of the fastest straightaways where you can really fly," said Moore. "The Blue Crew had the perfect setup on the car when we tested here. This year Im determined to finish the race. With the right setup and fast pit stops, I think we can win."
Patrick Carpentier has tasted victory at this countryside track, in 1996 during his days in the KOOL/Toyota Atlantic Series, CARTs support series. During his rookie year in a Champ Car, Carpentier was forced to retire after only two laps due to loosing fourth gear. This year he intends on duplicating his recent testing success at Road America to run up front and challenge for the win.
"Thanks to Lee [Dykstra], my engineer, and the rest of the Blue Crew, weve been continuing to improve. Things are starting to come together," said Carpentier. "I like this road course. Winning here in 1996 was special. If we can qualify up front, I think well have a good shot at getting a podium finish."
Forsythe Racings Atlantic sensations Lee Bentham and Alex Tagliani are putting on the heat as the KOOL/Toyota Atlantic Championship descends on Road America for Round 10 of 13. Bentham hopes to extend his lead in the Atlantic drivers standings, while Tagliani hopes to collect enough points to challenge his teammate for first spot in the championship battle. Bentham currently has 121 points, and Tagliani is close behind with 99.
Jerry Forsythes method for attaining international success as Chairman and CEO of Indeck, a leading owner and operator of cogeneration and independent power plants, as well as the worlds largest supplier of rental boilers, is the same method he applies to his race team.
"We recently had a successful test at Road America. If we can bring that same success to the track this weekend, theres no reason we shouldnt be up on the podium," said Forsythe. "I believe our drivers and Blue Crew are the best in CART. If we can overcome the mistakes that have been made and fine tune our efforts, Forsythe Racing will continue to win, and thats what we expect of ourselves."
Catch the Forsythe Racing excitement on www.forsythe-racing.com, featuring live real-time in-car audio broadcasts of drivers Moore and Carpentier talking with their engineers, and of CARTs race control officials, live timing and scoring of the Champ Cars, and pictures of the latest racing action.
The Texaco/Havoline 200 will be broadcast live on ESPN, Sunday, August 16th, at 3:30 pm ET.
