MEDIA RELEASE- For Immediate
Release, August 19
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 much 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.
For more about Chris Alajajian, check out www.TheChris.com.au
Phillip Island Combined Practice Times;
1 Michael Trimble 1:35.1066*
2 Chris Alajajian 1:36.5379
3 Neil McFadyen 1:36.7161
4 Aaron Caratti 1:37.1854
5 Daynom Templeman 1:37.2510
6 Marc Williams 1:40.5360
