Gabby Chaves sets a new track record during the Two-Day Putnam Park Test

06/29/2009

Gabby Chaves ended the two-day series test at Putnam Park with the fastest lap. (Photo: BMW AG) The Formula BMW Americas drivers and teams recently returned action on June 26-27, with two days of official testing at the Putnam Park facility in Indiana. When the final checkered flag waved, Gabby Chaves/ café de Colombia driver had turned the fastest lap. Testing commenced on Friday, with 10 FBMW Americas drivers taking the Indiana road course for the first of three sessions. Building speed throughout the three-hour run, American/Colombian Chaves was the driver at the top of the charts (1:15.834) when the action halted for lunch. Making it a EuroInternationon one-two on the timing sheets, championship leader Giancarlo Vilarinho was second quickest ahead of Team Apex Racing USA teammates Joao Victor Horto, James Kovacic and Martin Sala. After getting something to eat and debriefing with their crews, the Formula BMW race pilots were back on-course. While the drivers posted some quick times in the second three-hour session, the bright afternoon sun and increased heat prevent all but two of the race pilots from improving their times. When the checkered flag waved, Chaves had once again turned the fastest time (1:16.524), edging Team Autotecnica’s Gianmarco Raimondo. Team Autotecnica rookie Alex Ellis was third fastest, ahead of Kovacic and Euro Junior Team’s Daniel Vela. Following a brief break, the FBMW drivers returned to their cockpits for a final one and half hour session. As expected the end of the session featured several drivers going after the quickest time of the day. When the day’s activities came to a close, Vilarinho had set the time to beat (1:14.810), ahead of Chaves and Vela. Raimondo and EuroInternational’s Michael Lewis were fourth and fifth quickest in the session. All but one driver (Wilson Philippe) posted his fastest time of the day in the final session. One day later, the Formula BMW Americas were back at Putnam Park for a further two sessions of official series testing. Utilizing the cooler morning air to full effect, posting the quickest times of the test, Chaves ended the session with the fastest lap (1:13.669) and new lap record, just ahead of his teammate Vilarinho. Raimondo, the reigning Rookie Cup winner, was third fastest, followed by Lewis and Ellis. The closing afternoon test session once again featured the drivers attacking the road course outside of Indianapolis in search of a fast time. With increased heat causing the track to lose some grip, only one driver (Kovacic) was able to better his morning time. When the session concluded, Raimondo has posted the fastest lap (1:14.220), ahead of Kovacic, Ellis, Chaves and Horto. “I was quite happy to get the track record,“ Chaves commented. “We had a little trouble on Friday with traffic and getting bottled up during what should have been our fastest laps, but on Saturday the conditions were just right for us and we were quick. Even though this isn’t a track that we race at, I think you learn every day and tests like this are a great way to try some things with the team that you can’t do on a race weekend.“ The Formula BMW Americas drivers and teams now return to their base of operations prior to championship fight resuming on July 17-18, at Lime Rock Park. Entering the event in Connecticut, Vilarinho holds a five-point advantage (119-114) over Chaves in the point standings. Michael Lewis leads the Rookie Cup chase (57-52) ahead of Kovacic. FBMW Americas Testing – Combined Day Two Times June 27, 2009 Putnam Park – Mount Meridian, Indiana Pos. Driver Team Fast Time Session 1. Gabby Chaves EuroInternational 1:13.669 1st Session 2. Giancarlo Vilarinho EuroInternational 1:13.955 1st Session 3. Gianmarco Raimondo Team Autotecnica 1:14.199 1st Session 4. James Kovacic Team Apex Racing USA 1:14.511 2nd Session 5. Michael Lewis EuroInternational 1:14.565 1st Session 6. Alex Ellis Team Autotecnica 1:14.614 1st Session 7. Martin Sala Team Apex Racing USA 1:14.874 1st Session 8. Joao Victor Horto Team Apex Racing USA 1:14.942 1st Session 9. Daniel Vela Euro Junior Team 1:15.201 1st Session 10. Wilson Philippe Euro Junior Team 1:15.433 1st Session

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