Former Champ Car and IRL front-runner Patrick Carpentier enjoyed a successful Homestead test as he put the #11 CITGO Pontiac Riley second fastest on the opening day and fourth fastest on combined times.
The Canadian has been confirmed as full-time partner to Milka Duno in the SAMAX-run car for 2006, and currently awaits the identity of the two drivers to share driving duties in the season-opening Rolex 24 at
Daytona.
"It was a perfect test,” said SAMAX owner Peter Baron. “The main objectives of the test were to finalise the line-up for the 24 and evaluate the new compound Hoosier tyre. We were absolutely delighted with the people we evaluated and will announce who they are later.
“Our current engineering team was not in place the last time the series was at Homestead, so this was their first look at the track and first time on a new compound Hoosier tyre. The entire team did a phenomenal job.
”We came with a car that was fast as soon as it hit the track, and basically spent two days on top the time charts only with the exceptions of a few teams putting on new tyres late in the cool afternoon with the goal of unseating our top position. We stuck to our testing plan and didn't let our egos lead to distraction.
“We are quite confident that we could have posted a lap time that would leave the field scratching their heads. The chemistry with the entire team is just fantastic. The start of the 24 can't come quick enough for us!"
"The test went really well and we definitely increased momentum,” added Duno. “The crew worked really hard and we gained from our performance in the previous test. It was great to be on the track again at Homestead and it was very nice to see some hometown fans at the track. I'm sure we'll all be working hard to improve even more for our next test at Daytona!"
