The 2008 Champ Car Atlantic season began in earnest for Walker Racing - and new recruits Kevin Lacroix, Greg and Leo Mansell - with the completion of two days of testing at MSR Houston late last week.
The outing at the 2.38-mile road course located 13 miles south of Houston marked the first of a series of tests before the team heads out to Sebring for the first official Champ Car Atlantic open test in early February. The weather was a mix of wet and dry conditions, allowing the team to accomplish everything it set out to do and giving all three drivers time to get adjusted to their new cars over long runs
“We went into Houston with a long list of tasks and checked off each one successfully," team owner Derrick Walker confirmed, "All three drivers accomplished a lot in the two days.”
The Mansell brothers got their second taste of testing the car last week, having signed on the back of a debut outing in November.
“It was great to finally get back in a car after a couple of months off," Leo admitted, "We learned a lot about the cars, especially in the high speed corners, and had a productive two-day test. I am very excited about the 2008 season and am looking forward to the tests we have scheduled over the next few months.”
Canadian Lacroix, meanwhile, used the test to get to know the team better, having signed with Walker in August for his second season in Champ Car Atlantic.
“I think the test went very well," the sometime A1GP driver commented, "The first day we didn't get much time in because of the weather but, on the second day, we made more progress. We made a lot of changes to the car and learned a lot about it as well. There were some areas where we were slow, but we learned where to get the speed and I know we will be faster for our next test.”
All three drivers will be back in action when Walker Racing next tests, at Firebird International Raceway in Arizona this weekend.
![THe proposed livery for Greg and Leo Mansells' Walker Racing Champ Car Atlantic entries [pic credit: Walker Racing]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/398763.jpg)
