Podlesni - PR1 Motorsports test summary

Podlesni Shows Great Promise in PR1 Motorsports Champ Car Atlantic Testing

Thousand Oaks, Calif. (December 12, 2006) - 2006 Pacific F2000 Champion and Team USA Scholarship winner Robert Podlesni displayed great promise during a recent Champ Car Atlantic test with the PR1 Motorsports team.

Robert Podlesni, 19, earned an initial test as part of his award for winning the Pacific F2000 Championship. Podlesni ran two days at Buttonwillow Raceway Park with PR1 Motorsports in the Swift 016a. chassis. A variety of other Atlantic teams were testing at the same time, allowing the youngster to compare himself against those drivers in the same position, including several with far more experience.

"I love it!" Podlesni exclaimed. "The car is different than I anticipated, but it's just one of the cars you want to drive all day. I learned so much about the car and really enjoyed working with the team's engineer, John Hayes."

With five Atlantic teams present, Podlesni ran some of the fastest times of the entire test. This stellar performance, allied to his impressive technical feedback, encouraged the Fresno-based PR1 Motorsports team to invite Podlesni back for a further two days of testing at Thunderhill Raceway Park the following week.

"I'm elated at the fact that the team wanted me to test at Thunderhill," said Podlesni. "I'm very excited about the opportunity to further develop my driving skills, while continuing to feel the changes the team is making on the car."

At Thunderhill, the Atlantic hopeful worked on his consistency, feedback and feel of the new machine. Podlesni continued his momentum through the two-day test.

"I've learned so much in the past two weeks," he continued. "The past few days have truly shown me what a fantastic series the Atlantic Championship is, and I hope to be able to compete here next season."

"Alpinestars has been very supportive of my racing career. I hope to solidify additional sponsorship to make sure I will be on the grid for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, the first round of the 2007 Champ Car Atlantic Championship, next spring."

-credit: robert.podlesni@gmail.com