SEBRING, FL - Two of Canada's hottest open-wheel racers got the chance to shine at Sebring International Raceway yesterday.
Michael Valiante, who made his Champ Car World Series debut at the season-ending race in Mexico City driving a Walker Racing Reynard, was unofficially the fastest of five Toyota Atlantic Series drivers taking part.
This time, however, Valiante was behind the wheel of one of Dale Coyne Racing’s Lola chassis, which he put to great use setting a 51.88-second lap around the abandoned airfield.
Eighteen-year-old Andrew Ranger got his first-ever taste of a 750-horsepower Champ Car, turning 133 laps in a Forsythe Racing Lola. However, Ranger didn’t let his unfamiliarity with the racecar prevent him from setting the second-fastest lap of the day, a 52.07.
Both drivers were reportedly very satisfied with how the tests went, and hopefully one – or both – could be looking at a full-time CCWS ride for 2005.
Also at Sebring was 17-year-old James Hinchcliffe, who captured the Formula BMW Series Rookie of the Year Award in 2004. Hinchcliffe was testing with Polestar Racing in an effort to get familiarized with the Toyota Atlantic car before graduating to the series later this year.
By Mark Atkinson, ITMN Associate Editor
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