Hand Among the Fastest in Brands Hatch Test

Nov 17, 2000
Dartford, Kent, England — Joey Hand posted the fifth fastest lap during testing today at Brands Hatch, England, in preparation for Sunday’s Formula Palmer Audi Winter Series double-header finale.

Hand achieved the time of 43.72 seconds, less than three-tenths slower than pace-setter Jaroslav Janis, despite the effects of a turbocharger wastegate problem that left his Team USA Scholarship car dramatically down on power.

“It was an OK day, I guess,” reported a typically modest Hand, 21, from Sacramento, Calif., who currently lies third in the championship standings after the first two races at Snetterton last weekend. “I have a whole car without any dirt on it, and I feel good about the way I’m driving. It was OK in that I was only fifth quick, but the better news is that we found a problem with the car.

“I was making progress with my driving but I wasn’t going any faster. After we analyzed all the data, we found that the turbo wastegate was sticking closed, so we were losing a lot of time on the straightaways. I think we’re actually in good shape for the weekend.”

Fellow Y2K Team USA Scholarship winner Phil Giebler, who lies fourth in the points, was unable to take part in today’s sessions, having already committed to a test at Hockenheim, Germany, with Paul Stewart Racing’s Formula 3 team. Giebler is expected back in England tonight, and the Formula Palmer Audi team is seeking to allow him some make-up track time tomorrow in preparation for Sunday’s races.

Hand also has been busy since the weekend, having traveled back to his native California for a test aboard the DSTP Motorsports Swift 008.a with which fellow former Team USA Scholarship winner Buddy Rice won this year’s CART Toyota Atlantic Championship.