Spa test: Ricardo Sperafico on top
Ricardo Sperafico and the Petrobras Junior team leapt back to form by topping the times at the two-day Spa-Francorchamps Formula 3000 test yesterday
The Brazilian, who won at the Belgian circuit last year with the Petrobras team, set his time of 2m05.190s during Wednesday's morning session to dislodge Italian Giorgio Pantano from the top of the time sheets. Sperafico has yet to win a race this year, but has shown his credentials to try to repeat last year's success when the F3000 International brigade races there on August 31.
Coloni Racing's Pantano, who has emerged as a late title contender following his victory last time out in Hockenheim, had topped the times on the rain-affected first day before being second fastest on day two. "It's just great to see Giorgio driving like this at the moment," said team boss Paolo Coloni.
The Arden International team continued its strong form, with Tomas Enge and his rookie team-mate Bjorn Wirdheim - on his first ever visit to Spa - ending up third and fourth quickest.
Enge's main title rival, Super Nova's points leader Sebastien Bourdais, was also well in contention by ending up fifth fastest with a 2m05.816s lap.
Local ace David Saelens made a return to the F3000 cockpit on the second day of testing, joining the Red Bull Junior team in place of regular pilot Ricardo Mauricio. He ended up setting the 16th quickest time.
Briton Justin Keen ended up 18th in his first run with the European Minardi team, and was joined by fellow F3000 returnee Joel Camathias for the test. Swedish newcomer Thed Bjork missed the second day of testing after a sizeable accident on Tuesday when he crashed his Nordic Racing Lola at the top of Eau Rouge.
Ricardo Sperafico Petrobras 2m05.190s
Giorgio Pantano Coloni 2m05.356s
Tomas Enge Arden 2m05.560s
Bjorn Wirdheim Arden 2m05.785s
Sebastien Bourdais Super Nova 2m05.816s
Enrico Toccacelo Coloni 2m05.969s
Mario Haberfeld Astromega 2m06.225s
Antonio Pizzonia Petrobras 2m06.376s
Rob Nguyen Astromega 2m06.499s
Nicolas Kiesa PSM 2m06.514s
Tony Schmidt PSM 2m06.535s
Tiago Monteiro Super Nova 2m06.587s
Patrick Friesacher Red Bull 2m06.930s
Derek Hill Durango 2m07.095s
Rodrigo Sperafico Durango 2m07.472s
David Saelens Red Bull 2m07.611s
Zsolt Baumgartner Nordic 2m07.853s
Justin Keen European 2m08.257s
Joel Camathias European 2m09.167s
Thed Bjork Nordic 2m12.506s
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