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SG
Formula
AND NOW, LET THE SEASON OF FORMULA RENAULT 2.0 TESTS
COMMENCE!
SG Formula
are busty preparing their 2010 test plans, Bertrand Pechon, the man
responsible for the Tests at SG Formula says: "Closed season testing is
an incredibly important time for our team. No-one has forgotten that for
drivers like Jules Bianchi and Charles Pic it all began with a session
of testing at the end of 2006. Just a few months later they were both
winning their first race in Formula Renault 2.0. Bianchi wowed them at
Ledenon in the French championship, and one week later Pic hit the
heights in Nurburgring in the Eurocup. These test sessions have a double
purpose. Firstly, to assess the potential of the drivers and to train
them up for their future career in motor racing."
So
how does a test day unfold for Formula Renault 2.0 drivers? "They come
in the day before in order to properly prepare for the test session"
explains Bertrand Pechon "they do the whole circuit on foot with their
engineer, who gens them up on the theory on the FR2.0 racers and the
techniques for driving them. They do intensive training on the brake
simulator in order to improve their pedal technique, working on the fine
art of balancing maximum brake pressure with full control over weight
transfers as the car reaches its limits. The next day the drivers start
practical lessons under true competition conditions, working with an
engineer and a chief mechanic. The drivers get a lot of time at the
wheel. At the end of each session of practice they get to examine their
lap data with their engineer, who goes through everything point by
point, noting what has gone well and what needs to be worked on. The lap
data is compared to the results obtained by our benchmark drivers. We've
had cameras on board our cars all season, and the videos provide a
valuable additional resource for training. All in all, I thing we have a
package from which the drivers can learn a great deal."
Winter test sessions are aimed primarily at two categories of driver.
First there are those who are being assessed and trained as a team
driver for the 2010 Eurocup or WEC seasons. Then there are those who
want to receive training with the aim of starting in Formula Renault 2.0
in 2011. These drivers can go on to more advanced test programmes next
season in parallel with their careers in Karting or start single-seater
racing within the Auto Sport Academy.
Official SG Formula testing schedule:
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November 24 and 25: Monteblanco (Spain)
- November 30 and December 1: Motorland (Spain)
- December 3 and 4: Motorland (Spain)
- December 9 and 10: Barcelona (Spain)
- December 14 and 15: Valencia (Spain)
A
new Formula Renault 2.0 car will make its debut in 2010 so unlike in
previous seasons the test period will be prolonged beyond December. It
will be possible to organise other practice days up to the start of
February.
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