Panther Line-Up at Chicago Will Feature Matsuura, Meira and Mutoh
by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com
Compiled in part from Indy Pro Series media reports:
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Hideki Mutoh.
Photo: DanaGarrettIRL |
The green light is on for the first member of the Indy Pro Series Class of 2007 to motor into the Indy Racing League's premier competitive level, the IndyCar Series.
Hideki Mutoh of Super Aguri Panther Racing passed with flying colors his IndyCar Series rookie test at Chicagoland Speedway on Tuesday and Wednesday (August 14th & 15th) of this week, clearing the way for him to participate in the season-ending Peak AntiFreeze Indy 300 at Chicagoland Speedway on September 9th.
Mutoh recorded his second Indy Pro Series win at Kentucky Speedway on August 11th, his first-ever victory on an oval raceway, as prelude to his two-day trial under the eyes of Indy Racing League and Panther team officials in Chicago.
Mutoh joined veteran Panther Racing driver Vitor Meira at the 1.5-mile oval near Joliet, Illinois. According to reports, Hideki impressed series and team officials with his consistency and ability to grasp the changes of an IndyCar Series machine.
"It was a very productive two days and I was able to pass the rookie test,” said Mutoh, who will drive the No. 60 Formula Dream Panther Dallara Honda at Chicago.
“I was able to learn how the changes affect the car and tried different car balances too. I am very happy that we were able to practice pit stops, and I now know what it's like. I enjoyed the test and I cannot wait for the Chicagoland race."
Three-Car Panther Attack Aims to Leap at Chicagoland Speedway
If all goes as planned, Mutoh will join regular Panther Racing drivers Vitor Meira and Kosuke Matsuura in a third IndyCar entry for the event. The three-car effort will be a first for the Indianapolis-based racing team and for owner John Barnes.
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Super Aguri Panther's Hideki Mutoh.
Photo: DanaGarrettIRL |
“Hideki did unbelievably well in the test,” Barnes said. “He continues to impress everybody at Panther with his ability to adapt to these race cars and our style of open-wheel racing."
"We tested a lot with him over the two days at Chicagoland," he continued. "He didn’t get to run in traffic, because there wasn’t any, but we worked on pit stops, starts, restarts and in- and out-laps."
"We’re training him to be a champion, and that takes a lot more than just going fast. I know he’s excited, and we are too, about the opportunity to see him run an IndyCar Series race at Chicagoland.”
IndyCar Series technical director Kevin Blanch oversaw the test and was impressed with Mutoh.
“Hideki is one of the most talented young drivers I have seen in a while,” Blanch said. “He’s had the opportunity to drive the IndyCar Series car several times this season due to the bonus testing program. He’s very consistent and provides very good feedback."
"Hideki should do very well,” he concluded.
The next Indy Pro Series event is the Carneros 100/Valley of the Moon 100 doubleheader on August 25th-26th at Infineon Raceway. The race will be telecast at 5:30 PM EDT on August 31st by ESPN2.
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