Hildebrand Shows Impressive Speed with Genoa in First Atlantic Team Test

02.07.2008

Genoa Racing, headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, teamed up with J.R. Hildebrand, Larry Connor and Imran Hussein for an impressive test at the Sebring International Raceway Short Course on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. It was the first of three official pre-season tests for the Cooper Tires Presents the Champ Car Atlantic Series Powered by Mazda, attracting no fewer than 25 drivers to the Central Florida road circuit. The Genoa team showed extremely well against the competition, ending up second quickest in the afternoon of the second day and fourth quickest overall for the two-day test with Hildebrand as the team's lead driver.

Setting fast times and making progress with their setup right away on Tuesday morning, Hildebrand, Connor, Hussein and team engineer Thomas Knapp then began to work through a number of changes in the afternoon to prepare for the upcoming season. They continued their learning curve together, and while the lap times weren't quite as competitive in the warmer conditions, Hildebrand still posted the sixth fastest lap of the afternoon. The youngster from Sausalito, California, was ranked fourth quickest overall on the day, and the team was full of optimism going into Day Two.

Hildebrand and the team then rallied to the third fastest time of the morning on Wednesday, and using what they had learned from the previous day, finished with the second quickest time of the afternoon in the high heat, though everyone's overall pace was slightly slower because of the conditions. Hildebrand was quite pleased with the outcome and looks forward to getting on track again at the next test which takes place at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca March 10th and 11th.

"We were quick in both morning sessions and made big gains in the heat from one day to the next," related Hildebrand. "So even though we didn't set the fastest time of the test, I think we got a lot accomplished while still being really quick, and I think that's as important as anything for these tests."

Team manager and engineer Knapp was similarly positive as he looked forward to the next test .

"Everyone did an excellent job during the test," he said. "The drivers did everything I expected them to do and perhaps even more. We weren't as concerned with the overall lap times because we don't have a race in Sebring, but I was still very pleased with our progress and pace. It will be more important to be on top at Laguna, which from what I can see, will be a very attainable goal."

Genoa has not yet finalized plans for the upcoming season, which starts at the historic Long Beach Grand Prix in Southern California on April 18-20, but with strong pace in each test the team expects to announce its driver lineup very soon. Team owner Angelo Ferro and manager Thomas Knapp have had a strong history in the Atlantic Series and are set to contend for the title in 2008.