Franchitti's Sears Point test

Andretti Green Racing star Dario Franchitti is to become the first driver to test an IRL IndyCar Series car on the Infineon Raceway at Sears Point, when the team conducts a test at the Sonoma venue later on Thursday

Nov 11, 2004, 11:54 AM

The Scot, who was sixth on his return to the Indy Racing League this year and took two victories after a long injury lay-off, will undertake compatibility testing as the IRL continues its adjustment road courses which appear on the series schedule for the first time in 2005.

Franchitti, of course, has extensive road course experience, most recently from his time racing in the Champ Car World Series.

The test is to determine what changes are needed to be made to the cars and track, if any, before the race is run in August next year. Teams have already tested on the Miami-Homestead road course.

"It should be good fun," said Franchitti. "It looks like a good track, with some challenging parts. And the car should be good around there. I was pleasantly surprised after the Homestead test, and we're learning all the time."

The IRL will hold an open test at Infineon Raceway for all the teams in April.