FRENCH YOUNG GUN IMPRESSES EMERSON FITTIPALDI IN CHAMP CAR TEST

The 17-year-old Barber Dodge driver, Nelson PHILIPPE, earned high praise from former Formula One world champion Emerson Fittipaldi after the young Frenchman completed his maiden test for the Fittipaldi Dingman Racing Champ Car team in Florida today. “I am very proud to invite the youngest driver ever to drive a Champ Car”, quoted the Brazilian Champion.

The test which was conducted on the short course circuit at the famous Sebring track, was stopped by the track marshals due to heavy showers.

Despite this being Philippe’s maiden outing in a Champ Car, he impressed the legendary Brazilian.

Emerson Fittipaldi said :

“I have been following Nelson’s career in the last few years through karting and more recently the Barber Dodge Pro Series. His talent and the progression I have seen, convinced us to invite him to an official Champ Car testing session in Sebring. It is a great day for Nelson, his performance was impressive and his results surpassed our expectations.

Nelson, despite his young age (he turned 17 in July), consistently improved his lap times and his ability to respond to the instructions of his engineers and mechanics provided further proof of his talent, not only as a driver but as a professional.

His ability to adapt his driving style to the conditions and get the best from the car despite the small window he had to operate in showed a maturity beyond his years. His overall performance confirmed my initial observations of him.

Nelson has earned a place on our short list for next year and we will definitely consider him as a possible driver for the 2004 season”.

Nelson, who is a member of the French national team, began his racing career in karting in Argentina at the age of 12. He then, moved to Italy where he raced in karting and was appointed as Tony Kart Racing Junior class official driver in 2001. Today, he lives in the United States where he progressed from the American Go kart series to the Barber Dodge Pro Series in 2003.

Nelson puts the 900HP Champ car to the test

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