15th November 2003

MICHAEL IMPRESSES DURING CHAMP CAR TEST

Up and coming European racing star Michael Keohane, from Clonakilty in West Cork, had an impressive maiden test in Champ Cars when he ran for two days with the Dale Coyne Racing team at the Sebring circuit in Florida, USA, last week (13/14th Nov).

The 23-year-old impressed the Illinois based team recording over 260 miles in one of their 750Bhp Ford-Cosworth powered Lola cars.

The Irish driver, who has spent most of the past two years in British Formula 3, took to the powerful Champ Car with amazing ease. "These cars are really fun to drive." Reported the former Irish Kart Champion. "You are never sure of how you will do until you get in one, but I am very pleased with the performance of the car and the way the whole team worked."

America’s equivalent to Formula 1, the British F3 race winner was joined in the test by experienced Czech Republic driver Tomas Enge. The 27-year-old, who has an impressive background in Formula 3000 and Formula 1, drove the second Dale Coyne Racing Lola and completed 360 miles over the two days.

"Michael went from a 210 horsepower F3 car to 750 horsepower Champ Car and looked very natural and impressive in doing so." Commented team owner Dale Coyne. "Michael’s lap times were within a few tenths of Enge’s best. Each driver showed that they have what it takes to be highly competitive in CART."

Michael impressed Dale Coyne on his maiden Champ Car test.