Tri-C TAG MASTERS World Championship – Round 3 – Team Preview

Tri-C TAG MASTERS World Championship – Round 3 – Team Preview
Wed 11 Apr, 10:19 AM

The competition is expected to intensify at Round 3 as each team start to establish themselves in the Constructor’s Championship and each driver is looking for an edge to move up in the Driver’s Championship. Here is a preview of the Top 6 teams in the constructor’s standing so far:

MakLaren International – 779 pts

Leading the Constructor’s Championship with 779 pts, the team is highly motivated heading into Round 3. Newly signed to the team, the Japanese super star, Larry Hayashigawa leads the Driver’s Championship standing with 399 pts, followed by his teammate, Alex King, in the second place with 380 pts. Despite leading the championship, MakLaren is not considered the favorite to win this Saturday. However, always a threat, MakLaren is expected to be competitive enough to capitalize on anyone’s mistakes.

Ronaldo Dennis (Team Principal): “We are very pleased with how things have been, though I don’t think we have the very best package in the grid, yet. We have one final test scheduled for Friday, April 13th and we are looking forward to that, in particularly, due to the fact that we will be working with our new Test Development Manager, Tyler Brooks. I think that our drivers will be pleased with this new relationship.”

Larry Hayashigawa (Japan): “I have settled down with this team much faster than anticipated and our third place finish last month was satisfactory considering that it allowed me to take over the lead in the championship standing. It’s hard to predict how things will turnout and we will know more after our test on Friday. I am really looking forward to Round 3.”

Alex King (Brazil): “I had a difficult debut last month as I had a number of mechanical issue. However, everything was very encouraging. I was happy that I was able to match the speed of my teammate, I think that is an important first step and I was really pleased on how my Manager, Sir Robert Brooks assisted me from the very beginning to the end of the race. I would have not made it without his help. Friday testing will give us a good indication on how we will do on Saturday.”

Toyoda Racing Team – 697 pts

Toyoda’s most valuable asset is its drivers. Combined, James Bratton and Dennis Ubersetzig, have one of the most impressive racing records. Bratton has dominated racing in Europe in the past 3 years. The American is the 2004, 2005 and 2006 CalSprinters TAG European Champion, while the German, Ubersetzig, is the 2006 runner-up. It is no secret that this pair of drivers, have been the key to Toyoda’s latest success. Toyoda is currently in second place in the Constructor’s World Championship, a position that Toyoda holds comfortably with 697 pts. James Bratton is in 3rd place in the Driver’s Championship with 374 pts, while his teammate, Dennis Ubersetzig is in 9th place with 323 pts. Toyoda has shown it can compete with the front runners and the expectations are very high for this Saturday's Grand Prix, considering the latest aerodynamic and engine development.

Satoro Nakamura (Team Principal): “We have not been able to give the best kart to our drivers and that is the only reason they are not leading in the driver’s championship. I am certain that given the right equipment, James and Dennis can fight for a win. I am optimistic about our chances this Saturday and we hope to close in the gap in the constructor’s championship between us and MakLaren.”

James Bratton (USA): “We have done a lot of aerodynamic work since our last race in conjunction to improving output power from our Rotax engine. The telemetry shows that I had the speed, I was one of the fastest driver in the infield part of the track, but lost a lot of time in the main straight. The issue I have with my kart is straight line speed and I am confident that improvements have been made and I will be able to challenge for a win this Saturday.”

Dennis Ubersetzig (Germany): “James has taken on the aerodynamic development for our team and I have been focusing on a new Leopard engine. I think I have it down now and I think that a Leopard suits my style a bit better. I am very optimistic for this up coming race and I expect my best result so far in this season.”

Mucca Rosso – 685 pts

The surprise of the year so far in the constructor’s championship is the fact that we have Scuderia Mucca Rosso in third place. This is a team that despite having a limited budget, has been able to consistently add points in the first two rounds. Veteran driver, John Passon, brings a lot of experience to the team and has been unlucky in both events so far. At Round 1, a young Tag Senior Driver spun off right in front of him at Turn 1. At Round 2, a back marker ruined his qualifying lap and later another back marker blocked him during the race at Turn 17. If Passon gets a clear track, he could surprise many and move up in the grid. Steve Thompson has been suffering from extensive vibration since the winter testings. The kart appears always very nervous through the turns. Though the team has been looking for a possible solution, it does not appear that Thompson will have a kart package that is good enough to fight for a win – a disappointment given the talented driver he is. Mucca Rosso is currently in third place in the Constructor’s Championship with 685 pts.

John Passon (France): “I hope that this time no back marker will ruin my race or qualifying lap. I don’t think we are ready to fight for a win, yet, but I am confident of a significant improvement.”

Steve Thompson (USA): “It will be a tough race. We have limited budget and we have not been able to test as much as Pherrari and Pensque, so it is hard to fight with them when we don’t test as much as them. However, overall, we have a good team and our sprits are still high.”

Pensque – 560 pts

Highly tipped to win both the Constructor’s and Driver’s Championship, Pensque is probably the strongest team in the series. Currently in fourth place in the Constructor’s Championship with 560 pts, the team has fined tuned the chassis and is known to have the strongest engine package in the grid. The excellent relationship they have with tire supplier, Burris Tires, is an advantage that no racing budget can buy. Surprisingly, Pensque has not been able to get the points expected out of them, however, no one can count them out. Expect Pensque to be extremely competitive this Saturday.

Brian Phillipsen (USA): “The team has done an excellent job in recent tests. I am very confident that we have a competitive package. I am pleased with the set up we have and by the fact we are powered by MAXX engines. I am targeting my second win and I am really not concerned about anyone else.”

Kurt Burris (USA): “It is great to be back and I intend to pick up where I left – I was the fastest man of the race in February. Brian has done most of the test for us in regards to set up and I am very pleased with what the team has reported. I think that Burris Tires will make a difference on Saturday. The expectations are very high.”

Pherrari – 369 pts

One of the favorite team to win the Constructor’s and Driver’s Championship, however, internal issues have set them back slightly. Earlier in the season, Japanese star, Larry Hayashigawa, unexpectedly left the team. Larry’s absence has been a major blow to Pherrari in the Constructor’s Championship. Jack Kirkpatrick is the only driver Pherrari brought to Round 2 and the Irish was not able to deliver the goods due to an engine failure. Speculations are that Pherrari already has a driver that will partner up Kirkpatrick at Round 3. Pherrari has peformed over 28 test sessions since the last Grand Prix and Kirkpatrick is one of the favorite to win on Saturday. A battle between Kirkpatrick and the American star, Brian Phillipsen is expected.

John Todt (Team Principal): “We are not happy with how things have gone for us in the Constructor’s Championship, but we are confident that we have a competitive package and as the season unfolds, we will be fighting for the lead. Everyone is also disappointed that our engine failed last month. We have made all arrangements necessary and we feel that Kirkpatrick will have a very competitive package. We are looking to go back to our dominating form we had at Round 1.

Jack Kirkpatrick (Ireland) – “It was disappointing to not to finish last time while leading the race and I am confident that Pherrari will have a very competitive package this weekend. We have tested extensively and I am felling really good about our chances. With all honestly and in my humble opinion, I expect to qualify on pole and I expect to win the race. I am pumped and I am going for it.”

BNW Sawber - 369 pts

Sawber is a team that is very aware of their capabilities this season. They have set realistic goals and are using the 2007 season as a development year to launch a real championship challenge in 2008. However, the team should be very pleased since they are currently tied with giant, Pherrari, for fifth place in the Constructor’s Championship – 369 pts each. Sawber race pace improved significantly at Round 2. The expectations are that they will still be in the middle of the pack.

Brad Bowman (USA) – “Still chasing set up. This is how it is when we have a new chassis. It takes time and I am confident we will get there. For now, our goal is to accumulate as much points as possible. The Constructor’s Championship is just as important as the Driver’s Championship.

Donald Amigliore (Italy) – “Unfortunately, we have been able to test as much as the other teams, but nevertheless, I am positively looking forward to this race. I am a rookie in this series and the goal is to accumulate as much points as possible.”