2001 Panoz LMP
The new 2001 Panoz LMP challenger took to a race track for the first time yesterday with Panoz pilot David Brabham at the wheel at the start of an intensive testing program prior to the car’s racing debut in Adelaide on 31st December. The sight and sound of the car delighted all those present and attracted much attention.
The first of the 2001 chassis, which was only completed last week, had been shaken down at a closed proving ground in the UK but the whole team was anxious to see how the car would perform on its natural habitat - a proper racing circuit.
An opportunity to run briefly at Silverstone under the watchful eyes of Panoz Director of Racing, David Price, Technical Director John Baldwin, and Chief Designer Andy Thorby was seized upon before the car is shipped to the USA for the remainder of its test program. Key members of Zytek and Xtrac were also present to monitor the performance of the new lightweight Panoz 4-liter V8 engine and the new compact transverse gearbox.
The company’s founder, Don Panoz, had been present when the final touches were put to the car’s build last week and he was able to press the button to fire the engine up in the new chassis for the very first time. The Panoz V8 engine has already undergone several hundreds of miles of testing in a ‘mule’ car.
David Brabham said after stepping out of the car, My initial impressions are that the car has enormous potential. Everything about it is an improvement from last year. The drivability of the new Panoz V8 engine is great, it’s very progressive on the throttle and I’m sure that, by the time we get to race the car, the engine will surprise a few people.
The track was rather damp and cold and we weren’t able to get any heat into the tires so I’m looking forward to testing the car extensively in the US where the temperature will be warmer. We can then start to work on the chassis and tire development and aerodynamics around this new car. I’m looking forward to driving the car in anger.”
The car will be testing in the Southern States of the USA for the remainder of November and beginning of December before being shipped to Australia.
Press Release and Photographs Courtesty:PANOZ MOTORSPORTS
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