Monterey, California, March 9, 2007 – The Conquest Racing Atlantic Team completed their final pre-season testing program yesterday under sunny skies at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Giacomo Ricci was the quickest of the Conquest drivers. The Italian ended the two-day test in fourth place on the combined timing sheets and kept himself in the top group throughout the open test. As for Ricci’s teammate at the second year Atlantic squad, American Matt Lee, he ended all but one session in the top half of the 25 car field.
Giacomo Ricci
#18 Mazda-Cosworth / Swift / Cooper
4th – 1:16.605 (105.173 mph)
“I’m quite happy, everybody worked well in the team and we improved the car and this is really important especially looking toward Las Vegas . I am also happy because now I am much more constant with the time. We need to work a little bit more to get to the top, but fourth is not so bad and everybody is happy. The Conquest Team worked really well for me and I think now we have found a good car and we are ready for Vegas.”
Matt Lee
#44 Mazda-Cosworth / Swift / Cooper
14th- 1:17.399 (104.094 mph)
“It was a difficult test for me. I struggled a bit with the track and went off a few times. I’m still learning, but overall the car was good. I feel that there is still some work to be done to be closer to the top but the real test will come in a month at the first race of the season in Vegas. The guys at Conquest are doing a good job and once race time comes around we will be near the front.”
Eric Bachelart
Owner
“I think in general we had a good test. Giacomo continues to impress everyone. It was only his second test with us and you can tell that he is much more comfortable in the car and he is putting in constant lap times. Matt had a little bit of difficulty here at Laguna Seca but it is all part of his learning curve. He is a real racer and I am confident that he will be competitive and in the top group of drivers at the first race of the season.”
The Conquest Racing Atlantic Team now heads back to their race shop in Indianapolis where they will continue their final preparation before heading to Vegas for the inaugural Vegas Grand Prix.
Press: Pre-Season Testing
