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ADRIAN FERNANDEZ
216.8 MPH LAP FASTEST LAP OF SPRING AT HOMESTEAD
HOMESTEAD, Fla. (March 4, 1999) - Adrian
Fernandez took last year's car out of mothballs Thursday, and promptly went out and ran
the fastest lap in pre-season testing at Miami-Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex. The
Mexican driver's speed of 216.808 mph was the second-fastest lap ever run at the 1.5-mile
oval, exceeded only by Greg Moore's 1998 record of 217.541 mph. Moore's teammate, Patrick
Carpentier, ran the fastest lap of 1999 in February's CART Spring Training, 216.617 mph.
Jimmy Vasser was second fastest of 19 drivers in Thursday's test, turning
consistent laps of 215.139 in the Target Ganassi Honda Reynard. He was followed by Scott
Pruett in a Toyota Reynard, 214.797 mph, and Michael Andretti in a Ford Swift, 214.626
mph.
Fernandez' quickest lap came in less than ideal conditions.
"Our fast lap came at 3 o'clock, in the heat of the day," said the
23-year-old Fernandez. "The car was very well balanced. We're very happy with our
progress."
Patrick Racing must now decide which car to race March 21 in the season-opening
Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami Presented by Toyota - the year-old Ford Reynard, or the new
Ford Swift they had planned to campaign this year.
"We have to get together tonight and see what is our plan," he explained.
"This is an older car. We just have to regroup and make the best decision for the
benefit of the team."
Fernandez was 21st fastest in Spring Training, with a lap of 207.706 mph.
"We did do a lap of 25.5 in the Swift on Thursday morning, so we're also
improving with that car," he explained.
Nineteen drivers participated in Thursday's private testing session, with 17
drivers expected Friday as preparation for the Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami Presented by
Toyota continues.
Thursday's top speeds (Unofficial, randomly taken from various sources)
Adrian Fernandez
24.94 216.808 mph
Jimmy Vasser
25.1 215.139
Scott Pruett
25.14 214.797
Michael Andretti
25.16 214.626
Paul Tracy
25.2 214.286
Dario Franchitti
25.36 212.934
Mauricio Gugelmin
25.4 212.598
Naoki Hattori
25.49 211.848
Gil de Ferran
25.5 211.765
Martin Blundell
25.6 210.938
Richie Hearn
25.8 209.302
Michel Jourdain
26.1 206.897
P.J. Jones
26.1 206.897
Robby Gordon
26.19 206.186
Shigeaki Hattoiri
26.43 204.313 |
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