SBRS: Spring Training Wraps Up with Some Good Vibrations

(SEBRING, Fla.) Feb. 22, 2000 -Day two of Barber Dodge Pro Series Spring training saw all 29 drivers reel off more laps in preparation for the 2000 season. Much of today's activities centered around a computer screen as much as the track. Following their sessions, drivers went into extensive debriefs pouring over the Pi Data downloaded from each of the Barber Dodge Reynards.

To a man, they all reported their happiness with progress made over the course of the two days. Lap times steadily came down as the comfort zone grew and the cars became more and more dialed in.

No official times were posted over the two days of testing; however, the quicker drivers in no order were Michael Valiante, Sepp Koster, Roger Yasukawa, Matt Plumb, Andre Nicastro, Peter Boss, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marc Breuers, Jon Fogarty, Jamie Menninga, Sam Hancock, Nilton Rossoni, Brent Sherman and Alexander Sperafico. All of these drivers posted times within the 1:05.00 time bracket.

Throughout both days, Barber Dodge Pro Series coaches David Loring, Jim Pace, and Gregg Borland spent the bulk of their time analyzing data with the drivers. For the new drivers, these sessions proved invaluable, letting them know if they were on the right track with set-up and driving style. Veteran drivers were able to delve deeper into their performance in the quest to extract every tenth. On track, coaches Barry Waddell and Peter Argetsinger were on hand to give instant pit lane advice.

The Barber Dodge Pro Series kicks off at Sebring International Raceway, March 18 in conjunction with the Exxon Superflo 12 Hours of Sebring.

Quotes from Barber Dodge Pro Series Spring training:

Matt Plumb: "It's going great. I found out what the car is doing, and what it likes to make it go faster."

Sepp Koster: "The car is responding well.  The rear is more sensitive to
changes which is good for me.  Now I can get the car the way I want it."

Marc Breuers: "I am super pleased with the cars. It's a more responsive car since I last drove it at the "Big Scholarship" shoot-out. I'm excited to be here."

Rhonda Trammel: "I had a great test overall. My times came down in every session, which met one of my primary goals."

Michael Valiante: "I am happy to be among the quickest drivers despite having some limited track time. I'm pretty confident that I can even get my times down with more track time."