Monterrey: Gelles Racing race notes

Simpson finishes fifth in Mexico

Fundidora Parque, May 23rd, 2006. -- Gelles Racing Champ Car Atlantic driver Stephen Simpson completed his first race in Monterrey with a deserving Top 5 overall in the #14 Western Union car in a race where overtaking was very difficult. The South African started the 3rd round of the season in fourth place and saw a competitor overtake him in the first corner. From there, he never looked back and cruised to the finish and fifth overall in a trouble-free race. Meanwhile, teammate Robbie Pecorari started on the last row due to a bent suspension from pounding the curbing in qualifying and moved up to 18th place before the finish line. Both drivers claimed there were few passing areas on the Mexican track and although they had quick machines could not improve upon their positions as much as they wanted.

"I let (Bomarito) get past me in the first corner, said Stephen. I had Houston in mind and did not want to waste my race if we made contact. I knew I had a better machine and could get him back in the next laps. However I never got the opportunity; the Parque is a track I like but with an Atlantic car, you have to be perfect to setup an overtaking because the straights are so short. We just paraded to the finish and nobody in front of me made a mistake affording me the overtaking opportunity. I'm still happy with my performance because it takes the monkey off my back.''

''I knew I could make up some ground on the pack, continued Pecorari. I had a faster car than the cars ahead but could not find a way around them without taking a big chance, 18th does not reflect what I could have done with the #28 Western Union machine as I was 7th in Morning Warm Up.''

Portland Next

After the MSR Test / Houston / Monterrey swing, Gelles drivers and crew will enjoy a break before they head West to Portland for the fourth round of the season. Tim Jennings will carry a complete revision of both cars.

-gellesracing.com