CHAMPCAR/CART: Herta Laguna Seca qualifying notes

The #77 Champ Car driven by Bryan Herta qualified fifth for the Honda Grand Prix of Monterey with a time of 1.09.392. Due to a penalty, Herta was disqualified and will start at the back of the field in the 26th position. The disqualification stemmed from a right rear underwing stay that came loose during the group one qualifying session. During the mandatory post-qualifying inspection, the #77 Forsythe Indeck/Ford-Cosworth/Reynard failed the 50 lb. rule, rule 9.4.1C of the CART rulebook, which states the sidepod panel deflection must be less than one tenth (.10) inch. Upon application of a point load of fifty (50) pounds, the #77 car exceeded the rule by .025, equivalent to half the thickness of a dime. The car was inspected Thursday at the mandatory CART inspection and passed. The car was checked again immediately before the qualifying session by the CART technical inspection team and passed inspection.

Bryan Herta #77 Forsythe Indeck/Ford-Cosworth/Reynard

Saturday Morning Practice: 9th - 1.10.209

Qualified: 5th - 1.09.392

Will Start: 26th

Herta on the Day: "My engineers Lee Dykstra and Don Bricker made quite a few changes to the car last night, and they made a big improvement on the car. The balance of my car was the best it has been all weekend; we didn't have to make any changes to the car during qualifying. It was great to get back into the top five; I am just hugely disappointed with the penalty. We have worked really hard to get the car into the top five, and it is a shame that we won't be able to enjoy the fruits of our effort. My job just became much more difficult for tomorrow, but I have the confidence of knowing I have a good racecar so I will give it my best."

-FCRT-