PacWest Tests Four More Drivers

Indianapolis, IN (October 19, 1999) - PPG-Dayton Indy Lights drivers Oriol Servia, Casey Mears, Philipp Peter, and Scott Dixon made their Champ Car debuts in early October at the Putnam Park road course outside Indianapolis.

Like PacWest Lights drivers Didier Andre and Tony Renna - who tested at Sebring in August - the foursome piloted a 1998 PacWest Reynard equipped with a 2000 Reynard gearbox. Each driver was afforded one day of testing and completed approximately 100 miles.

"It was a really good experience," recounted Dixon, a 19-year-old New Zealander "The balance of the car is excellent, but the best part is the power. I was also quite surprised at how quickly the Champ Car stopped, considering its size. It's a very nice car to drive. My goal was to give it my best and not fall off, so I'm happy,"

Mears was similarly enthusiastic. "It was awesome," he admitted. The Champ Car is very different from the Indy Lights car. In a way, it's almost easier to drive, and the amount of information you can collect is amazing,"

"The Indy Lights guys did a terrific job," noted PacWest's Vice President of Racing Operations John Anderson. "All of the drivers were comfortable with the Champ Car very quickly. It was also good for them to see how the telemetry gives them so much information. If the situation presents itself in the future, PacWest would be only too happy to do another test like this."