SBRS: Long shines in test

Patrick Long, the 2000 Formula Dodge Western Regional Championship runner-up, shone in his first Barber Dodge Reynard 98E test at Sebring International Raceway. While no official times were gathered from the test, Long posted a lap in the low 1.09 sec. range according to his on board data, matching the quick time set by Barber Dodge Pro Series Big Scholarship winner Ryan Hunter-Reay. Both drivers unofficially had the fastest time of the two-day test around Sebring's 2-mile test loop.

Long is currently racing in England in the Slick 50 Zytec Formula Ford Championship. A former karting champion as well as Skip Barber Karting Scholarship winner, Long scored an impressive nine wins in 11 starts in the 2000 Western Regional Championship. He hopes to make his Barber Dodge Pro Series debut later this summer when the series makes a stop at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. on August 20. Long impressed not only with his quick times, but also with his consistent lapping and technical feedback.

Hunter-Reay currently leads the strong rookie contingent in the 2000 Barber Dodge Pro Series battle for Rookie of the Year honors.

Also testing at Sebring was Barber Dodge Pro Series regular Sara Senske who is coming off her best finish at Cleveland nearly a fortnight ago. Senske also posted a time in the 1:09 range despite only running for a half day on Monday.

Milka Duno of Venezuela had yet another productive two-day test as she continues to come to grips with the Barber Dodge Reynard. Duno pounded around the hot, dry Sebring track turning in solid lap times dialing in the set up of her car more to her liking. Also continuing to log solid miles is Barber Dodge Rookie Jeff Glenn. Likewise, Glenn focused on increasing his comfort level in the car and working on a set-up of the car in preparation for the next round at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on August 13.

Joining the Barber Dodge regulars were several drivers from the Formula Dodge National Championship Presented by RACER. Among them, Jon Morley, a race winner at New Hampshire this past June posted some very competitive lap times. Morley currently resides fifth in the overall point's standings for the National Championship title. Joining him were Ryan Howe, who like Long was a Skip Barber Karting Scholarship winner in '99 and was the man who beat Long to the Western Regional crown, and Davy Cook, himself a multi race winner in the '99-2000 Formula Dodge Regional Championship series. Both drivers are in the Top-10 in points in the National Championship, each having a very productive Pro Series test. Consistently lowering their personal best marks over the course of the two-day test, they concluded by turning quick times of their own. All three drivers have aspirations to make their Pro Series debuts at either Mid-Ohio or Road America.

Several new drivers tested the Barber Dodge Reynard in Sebring. John Hall returned for his second ever outing in the car. Hall settled in to a fine rhythm as he put in productive miles. He hopes to be able to contest much if not all of the second half of the season.

Finally Shareef Malnick and Ricardo Immery, both Formula Dodge Regional Championship standouts had runs in the Pro Series racer as they explore options to race in a handful of Pro Series events this year. Both drivers had solid test runs as they acclimated to the unfamiliar car. And getting their first tastes of the Barber Dodge Reynard were Dustin Hodges and Giuliano Pilagallo. Hodges comes to the Pro Series with from the SCCA FF2000 Series while Brazilian Pilagallo has raced extensively in both Europe and South America. Both drivers spent much of the test making themselves comfortable in the car and gaining an overall impression as they consider the possibility of entering one or two races later this year.

-George Tamayo