FBMW Americas: Chaves Quickest in Utah Testing

05/13/2009

Gabby Chaves was quickest during both days of pre-event testing at Miller Motorsports Park. (Photo: Formula BMW Americas) In advance of the third event of the 2009 Formula BMW Americas season, the series drivers took part in two days of official testing at the Miller Motorsports Park in Utah. Championship leader Gabby Chaves posted the fastest time in both days of testing behind the wheel of a EuroInternational car. The first of three sessions in day one of testing, as expected featured the drivers becoming acclimated to the high-speed road course and beginning work on car setup. When the checkered flag waved for the lunch break, double Virginia International Raceway winner Giancarlo Vilarinho had posted the fastest time (1:30.117), ahead of his EuroInternational teammate Chaves and Team Autotecnica’s reigning Rookie Cup winner Gianmarco Raimondo. When the on-track action resumed an hour later, only seven drivers elected to take part, in what was for many a slower session. When the three-hour run concluded, Raimondo had bettered his fastest time, turning a quick lap of 1:30.579 to lead the way, ahead of his rookie teammate Alex Ellis and Team Apex Racing USA rookie James Kovacic. With cooler conditions, the final one-hour and 30-minute session of day one again featured all the series drivers on-course. Posting the fastest times of the day, Chaves ended the session at the top of the speed charts via a time of 1:29.059. Completing the top-three during the session, which featured all but one driver turning his best time thus far, were Vilarinho and Euro Junior Team rookie Daniel Vela. Returning to the road course located just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah, one day later, it was not long before fast times began appearing on the time sheets. When the morning session came to a halt, Chaves had once again posted the fastest time, lowering is best time to 1:28.728. Making it a EuroInternational sweep of the top-three spots, Vilarinho and Lewis were second and third fastest in the session. Following a brief break, all but one of the cars was back on-track for the final test session. While some quick times were turned in the session, only three drivers were able to improve their best time, and no-one matched the fastest time set by Chaves. When the session ended, Chaves (1:29.368) and Vilarinho were again one-two on the timing monitors, followed by Raimondo. The Formula BMW Americas drivers and teams return to action on Friday (May 15), with the start of the Rounds Five, Six and Seven Tripleheader at Miller Motorsports Park. Formula BMW Americas Round #5 – Day One Testing Results May 11, 2009 Miller Motorsports Park – Tooele, Utah Pos. Driver Team Fast Time 1. Gabby Chaves EuroInternational 1:29.059 2. Giancarlo Vilarinho EuroInternational 1:29.692 3. Daniel Vela Euro Junior Team 1:29.697 4. Michael Lewis EuroInternational 1:30.122 5. Gianmarco Raimondo Team Autotecnica 1:30.147 6. Alex Ellis Team Autotecnica 1:30.559 7. James Kovacic Team Apex Racing USA 1:30.758 8. Joao Victor Horto Team Apex Racing USA 1:31.217 9. Wilson Philippe Euro Junior Team 1:31.235 10. Robert Garcia Robali Motorsports 1:31.385 11. Martin Sala Team Apex Racing USA 1:31.982 12. Barrett Mertins Jensen MotorSport 1:33.527 Formula BMW Americas Round #5 – Day Two Testing Results May 12, 2009 Miller Motorsports Park – Tooele, Utah Pos. Driver Team Fast Time 1. Gabby Chaves EuroInternational 1:28.728 2. Giancarlo Vilarinho EuroInternational 1:29.024 3. Michael Lewis EuroInternational 1:29.275 4. Daniel Vela Euro Junior Team 1:29.330 5. Gianmarco Raimondo Team Autotecnica 1:29.389 6. Alex Ellis Team Autotecnica 1:30.039 7. James Kovacic Team Apex Racing USA 1:30.205 8. Joao Victor Horto Team Apex Racing USA 1:30.376 9. Wilson Philippe Euro Junior Team 1:31.052 10. Martin Sala Team Apex Racing USA 1:31.073 11. Barrett Mertins Jensen MotorSport 1:31.433 12. Robert Garcia Robali Motorsports 1:32.116

 

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