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Dec.26.2002 LOLA-DOME F106/03 Shakedown Test |
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Shakedown Test of F3 machine, LOLA-DOME F106/03, which Dome have been developing, was carried out for 2 days from December 24 to December 25, 2002 at Suzuka Circuit. Though Dome's shakedown tests are basically open to public, the new NSX-GT was tested privately and as F3 shakedown test was on the same day, it was carried out privately, too. Having said that, there were some media people who obviously heard about this test so the tests are likely to be reported in the media. Shakedown Test First Day LOLA-DOME F106/03, finished with the best engineering settings at Dome Headquarter, was delivered to Suzuka Circuit in the late afternoon on December 23. At 9:00am next day, the test started with Kogure as the driver. When he tried to speed up in the initial checking run, a trouble occurred in the suspension arm and the car had to be stopped. The part, we tried a new mechanism which was a challenge for us, needed to be stronger. As soon as we found out the trouble, the design was changed to an orthodox one at our headquarter, and the drawing was immediately sent to "Craft M" in Suzuka, which was producing the suspension arms. Though Craft M has such expertise, they did not know the trick to produce a newly designed part within the afternoon and could not deliver the part to us. We had no alternative but give up the test for the day. LOLA-DOME F106/03 have been developed to achieve a dramatic improvement in performance compared to Dallara and we have been taking innovative engineering approach to every single detail even it is visible or not. The suspension we had the trouble during the test was one of the main features of our challenge but the countermeasure for the trouble is not difficult. We would like to continue testing and the part can be as a part of standard equipment of stock-car. We had to stop the car due to the trouble and did only 18 laps in the morning before starting a serious test on the first test day but Kogure mentioned he had a good feeling about the car so we will look forward to tomorrow's test. The Second Shakedown Test Day Tension was in the air as yesterday's test was spoiled by the trouble. On the contrary, the machine was checked thoroughly and we had a good feeling about the car. The atmosphere in the pit was very uplifting by the time the newly made suspension was delivered and fitted to the car in the late afternoon. After a test run started in the morning, Team Director Tanaka changed the setting in details to obtain LOLA-DOME F106/03 chassis's basic characteristics. After completing the first stage, new tyres were fitted and we started the first attack. The time was 1:57:05, though it was an informal record, the course record 1:58:03 was renewed unexpectedly. The setting was still halfway, Team Director Tanaka was angry because some parts for setting were not delivered yet, the exhaust pipe was a temporary one so the engine could not be taken to full power…. The record breaking under these circumstances put the team's mood in full swing and everybody could think nothing but the time attack in the afternoon. According to Kogure, the car was so different from Dallara, he could not decide how much the machine could take but improving the time seemed to be realistic by running the car more. People in the pit started saying to achieve 55 second range seriously as if the time was not far from achieving. Though the wind was rather strong and the weather was deteriorating in the afternoon, we started the test as scheduled. The weather turned badly while we were still setting the car, we hurriedly tried to start the time attack but the public address coldly told us "the rain started in the west side of the course" so we had to give up but the test went well, we have to say. People in any F3 teams, if you want our car by the season starts, do let us know quickly! |
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