NA-F2000: Series Watkins Glen Thursday notes

F2000: Thursday WGI Testing Report

Watkins Glen, NY -- Some 30 F2000 cars took to the track for two 45-minute sessions prior to rounds seven and eight of the 2010 season at Watkins Glen International with the IndyCar Series. Perhaps the biggest storyline to the day's untimed sessions was Australian rookie Daniel Erickson, who is back in a F2000 car for Quantum Mechanics/Primus Racing after showing impressive speed at VIR.

"I've never been here before and the track is pretty challenging," said Erickson, who added that he used YouTube to learn the 11-turn road course. "The car felt good and we made use of both sessions with some aero changes and rear shock adjustments."

Last year's winner Phil Lombardi saw two trouble free sessions in the #3 GTP Motorsports Van Diemen. "We just couldn't get the car to handle, we made all these changes and nothing," commented Lombardi. "Turned out it was a loose front sway bar mount, so we're back to square one. I'm glad we found the problem because we were pulling our hair out."

It was Stevan McAleer's first somewhat-official day as a driver in the Race House #14, McAleer was a late addition to the field for the sprint car/midget squad and brings a long history of karting and Skip Barber experience to the paddock. The rookie from Scotland had the opportunity to shake down the Race House entry at Lime Rock just a few days ago.

"The cars feels good and I'm happy with everything," said McAleer, who is teaming alongside Tim Paul, in the #06 SMR entry. "I've been here before so I know the track but let me tell you; I've never felt g-forces like that before. I don't want to put down anything I've driven in the past but my neck has never felt like this."

Fabio Orsolon's #26 Alegra Motorsports Van Diemen made the final session of the day for a handful of laps following a last-minute flywheel replacement by the Alegra crew. Orsolon is bouncing back after a heavy crash at Mosport that hurt him in the championship standings. Teammate and championship points leader Victor Carbone did not participate in the day's activities due to travel problems and is expected at the track tomorrow morning.

Also rebounding from a rough Mosport weekend is R-Sport's Jonathan Scarallo. "It feels good to get back into the car," said Scarallo, who ended his weekend at Mosport with a heavy crash during the first round of qualifying. "R-Sport did a great job putting the car back together and the changes we're making today are making it faster and faster."

The testing sessions were relatively clean with the exception of Liberty Motorsports driver Zach Craigo who hit the turn one tire barrier, damaging the left rear corner on the #85. Additionally, local-favorite and Masters Class competitor Craig Clawson battled throttle position issues .

Action continues from Watkins Glen on Friday, July 1 with two morning practice sessions followed by afternoon qualifying for race one at 2:45pm (GMT-5) and 4:45pm.

-source: www.F2000ChampionshipSeries.com