Motegi, Japan (September 16, 2011) -
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing completed the first day of
practice at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, Japan. This will mark DRR's
ninth time to compete at the picturesque circuit, but the first on
the 2.983-mile road course. DRR drivers Giorgio Pantano (No. 22
Kona Deep machine) and Ana Beatriz (No. 24 Ipiranga) worked
diligently to get the cars pointed in the right
direction.
The name of the game was to learn the circuit and that's
exactly what Giorgio Pantano did. Today's session was all about
getting the No. 22 Kona Deep machine comfortable and work on areas
to get it just right. Unfortunately, it wasn't the direction the
team was hoping to go in and DRR will work diligently on the car
overnight. Pantano was 21st fastest during practice with a time of
1:40.9659.
It was a similar story for Pantano's teammate, Beatriz.
Today didn't go according to plan for the Brazilian, as she tried
out the circuit for the first time. The No. 24 Ipiranga crew will
look over the data tonight and search for a new and improved path
for tomorrow. Beatriz was 26th quickest in the session
with a time of 1:41.4711.
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing will be on track for the Indy
Japan: The Final At Motegi in Motegi Japan on September 17th. The
race telecast will air live on Saturday, September 17th at 11:30 pm
(EDT) on VERSUS. The race will air live on the IMS Radio Network,
XM channel 94, and Sirius channel 212.
What they have to say...
Giorgio Pantano, No. 22 Kona Deep:
"We didn't quite get it right today. We just need to work on
a lot of things over night and try to get the car more comfortable.
At the moment we are kind of far away, and we just need to keep
working on it and hopefully we will be there in the
morning."
Ana Beatriz, No. 24 Ipiranga:
"This track is beautiful and I love it, but unfortunately we
just weren't fast enough. We need to work hard for tomorrow because
I think we are missing something, but we will keep working on
it.