AUSF3: Protecnica Racing Phillip Island Friday notes

POSITIVE START IN WET AND WILD PRACTICE FOR PROTECNICA AT PHILLIP ISLAND

Protecnica Racing's Chris Alajajian set the second fastest time in practice for round six of the 2005 Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship for the CAMS Gold Star at Phillip Island Raceway, today.

Wet weather descended on 'The Island' today, making what is already one of the most awe inspiring circuits in the national that little more daunting and treacherous. Despite the weather, the drivers weren't hanging around, with times in the first session still well over 160km/hr average speed for a lap.

"Very fast and slippery," surmised Alajajian, who currently sits third in the standings, of the circuit after the sessions.

In the opening thirty minute practice session, Alajajian lapped the 4.45km circuit in the second fastest time of the session, 1:36.5379. Following more rain between the sessions, the times were slower in the afternoon, and Alajajian ended the session fourth fastest, courtesy of a 1:47.7569 lap time.

It was a promising start, and Alajajian feels there is still plenty of potential in the times.

"There was a bit of a dry line in the first session, but it was a lot wetter out there in the second," he said. "We weren't really too focused on times today, as we spent the sessions really trying to get a feel on the car around here.

"The weather was something we had to learn about as well. I haven't done many laps in Formula 3 in the rain, only really at the AGP, so today was a good chance to get a handle on the different conditions.

"It was really just a matter of taking it easy and taking small steps forward."

Protecnica Racing also spent the day working with Othmar Welti for the first time during a race weekend. While it is still early days for the team working with the renowned Formula 3 engineer, Alajajian feels the relationship has certainly been worthwhile, and will only get better as the weekend goes on.

"His knowledge is helping out already this weekend. We have only been scratching the surface of his technical knowledge so far, but as the weekend progresses and we all learn more and more, and I'm sure we will continue to improve.

"I'm looking forward to tomorrow and the races on Sunday."The action continues tomorrow, Saturday with qualifying sessions at 10:35am and 1:15pm, before a pair of races on Sunday.

A two day pass for this weekends round of the Australian Motor Racing Series at the picturesque Phillip Island Raceway, south of Melbourne, is just $20, with kids under 16 free.

Protecnica Racing thanks the ongoing support of Jack Hillermans Smash, Elf Oil, Scuderia Veloce Motors, Nudie, Workflow Systems, Bilstein, Moody Kiddell & Partners, Heasman Steering, Disc Brakes Australia, Hawk Performance, Monza Mens Boutique, H & R Springs and APT Signs.

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