Nakano gets first run in new Lola

Team driver Shinji Nakano clocked up over 85 miles on the 1.65-mile road course while putting the new chassis through its paces.

"This was our first day with a brand new package, and I'm pretty happy," said Nakano. "We are still doing some trouble-shooting, but the car felt good. Obviously I need more time to be able to understand the car and to work with the set-up to be quick, so I am looking forward to coming back here in two weeks."

Tom Anderson , Fernandez Co-owner and Managing Director, echoed Nakano's sentiments on a successful start to its 2002 testing.

"I'm very pleased with our initial run," said Anderson. "We were very happy with the way the car responded to a few changes that the engineers made today. We did have some teething problems with a few parts, but I would consider the problems we had to be minor. We were also pleased with the new EFI [data acquisition] system which worked well after the winter updates."

The initial test also heralded a first working appearance for the team's new co-owner and technical director Don Halliday and team manager Bob Adie.

"Today was a classic shakedown day," said Halliday. "We had certain problems that you find when you run new pieces together, but in general I'm pleased that the first day is over because we know what the problems are now."

The Fernandez outfit is due to return to Sebring on January 23 for a further two-day test with team owner/driver Adrian Fernandez getting behind the wheel of the new car for the first time.