EU3000: Vallelunga test, day one afternoon notes

FASTEST TIME FOR DANIELSSON IN THE FIRST TEST DAY AT VALLELUNGA

The first F3000 test day has already given an important portrait of the coming 2007 season, which will feature a really international line-up. Elk Motorsport's line-up was formed by the Swede Danielsson, the Ecuadorean Merchan and the Moroccan Bennani, coming from the World Series as his Scandinavian team-mate, 2006 champion of the series. The Italian Dracone was joined at the Auto Sport Racing team by the Bulgarian Arabadzhiev, while the Colombian Leal Covelli drove for Durango.

Two Brazilian drivers attended the test day too: Diego Nunez (Team Minardi by GP Racing) and Razia (Fisichella Motor Sport by Durango), last year rivals up to the last race for the final win in the South American F3 championship.

The afternoon session was problem-free both for the teams and for the drivers. The teams tested different configurations looking for the best set-up for the first race which will take place at the Roman circuit on the 22th of April.

The session was already heaten up by the first battles. Alx Danielsson posted the fastest lap in the last minutes of the session, just a little faster than Davide Rigon, who led the whole day. Great performance also for the Bulgarian Arabadzhiev who took his Lola B02/50 to third place in front of the other Minardi driver, Diego Nunez, and of FMS Team's Razia.

In this session every driver used a new set of tyres, thus being able to improve the times posted this morning.

Testing will resume tomorrow for the last day beginning at 9.00.

<pre> Vallelunga day 1 (afternoon)*

     1.    Alx Danielsson               SWE     Elk Motorsport  1'24''438       40 laps
     2.    Davide Rigon                 ITA     Minardi         1'24''474       24 laps
     3.    Vladimir Arabadzhiev         BUL     ASR             1'25''069       44 laps
     4.    Diego Nunes                  BRA     Minardi         1'25''190       28 laps
     5.    Luiz Razia                   BRA     FMS             1'25''697       39 laps
     6.    Olivier Martini              ITA     RC Motorsport   1'25''993       20 laps
     7.    Sebastian Merchan            ECU     Elk Motorsport  1'27''088       28 laps
     8.    Francesco Dracone            ITA     ASR             1'27''694       20 laps
     9.    Omar J. Leal Covelli         COL     Durango         1'28''081       7 laps
     10.   Mehdi Bennani                MAR     Elk Motorsport  1'30''609       10 laps

* all with the Lola B02/50 car

</pre> -credit: eu3000/cm