PROMISING SIGNS FOR HUNT AT LONGBEACH
19/4/2004 13:58 (Press Release) -
Gold Coast driver Josh Hunt began his initiation into the tough Toyota Atlantic Championship with a promising start qualifying mid field for the opening race of the Championship at the Toyota Grand Prix of Longbeach in California, USA to start in the early hours of tomorrow (Monday) morning Australian time.
From the time that 18-year-old Hunt hit the circuit in his Wright Patten Shakespeare/Atkinson Gore Group Swift he immediately showed signs of a bright year for the young Queenslander setting a time just outside the top 10 in opening practice.
Continuing to gel with the Lynx Racing team Hunt is making steady progress coming to grips with the 250bhp Swift.
“Josh has picked up on the characteristics of the car at a fast pace which is very pleasing,” said Team Manager Steve Cameron.
“Before this weekend his time in the car was very limited and the Long Beach circuit is far from the easiest circuit to learn, especially with it being his debut in the Championship.
“Given these factors it is a very good result and looks promising for the year ahead.”
The final 20-minute qualifying was held under wet and windy conditions around the 1.9-mile circuit was cut short when a driver spun on the opening lap cutting the session 10-minutes short.
At the end of this session Hunt was 14th fastest and his time from Friday’s qualifying session on a dry track will have him start from 15th on the grid.
“Friday was a real tough day trying to get a handle of the car and the circuit at the same time,” said Hunt.
“Over the weekend I have begin to feel more comfortable in the car each time I have gone out for a session and aim to move up the order tomorrow, a top 10 result would be great on debut.”
Ryan Dalziel claimed the first pole position of the Championship ahead of Jon Fogarty, Alex Figge and Hunt’s Lynx Racing teammate Bryan Sellers.
The opening 32-lap race of the Championship will begin at 10:30am local time (3:30am Monday April 19 Aust EST).
The time in Long Beach in California, USA is 17 hours behind Australian EST.
Toyota Atlantic Championship - Round One
QUALIFYING
1. Ryan Dalziel 1:18.563
2. Jon Fogarty 1:19.206
3. Alex Figge 1:18.922
4. Bryan Sellers 1:18.987
5. Andrew Ranger 1:19.024 (R
6. Danica Patrick 1:19.275
7. Ronnie Bremer 1:19.278
8. Tonis Kasemets 1:19.583
9. Rocky Moran Jr. 1:19.760
10. Chris Festa 1:20.140
11. Jonathan Bomarito 1:20.178
12. Eric Jensen 1:21.436
13. Alex Garcia 1:21.515
14. Philip Fayer 1:21.806
15. Josh Hunt 1:21.840
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Sunday, April 18, 2004
8:00 AM - 8:15 AM Atlantic Warm Up
10:15 AM Grid Atlantic Cars
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Atlantic Race (32 Laps or 50 Minutes)
Release Date: 18/04/2004
GCMEC
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