Wickens and Edwards, both members of the global Red Bull Junior Team, hundreds of miles of testing in the ultra-fast Swift 016. a chassis. With 300 horsepower provided by a Mazda-Cosworth MZR 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and massive grip from Cooper Atlantic racing slicks, the Forsythe drivers and crew used the extensive test program to adapt to the cars and each other with the team running consistently in the top five in almost every test session of the year.
Robert Wickens
Toronto, Ontario
#3 Red Bull / INDECK
Mazda-Cosworth/Cooper/Swift
2006 Formula BMW USA Champion
“I m pretty excited for the first race of my Atlantic career, but I feel a kind of calmness and confidence also. We ve done our homework, both on and off the track, getting the car dialed in, getting used to working with the guys and training harder than I thought I was capable of. These cars are so physical to drive with all the downforce and grip, it s pretty hard to describe to people. But I m fitter than I ve ever been and I ve established great communication with the crew and my engineer, Lou (D Agostino). This weekend will tell us where we are and where we need to improve, but I m confident we ll be up near the front. ”
John Edwards
Little Rock, Arkansas
#7 Red Bull / Indeck
Mazda-Cosworth/Cooper/Swift
2006 Race Winner in European Formula Renault
Youngest Driver in Atlantic History at Age 16
“It s going to be nice to put the testing behind us and actually get to do some racing. Testing is something I really enjoy, but it just doesn t compare to the adrenaline you get when that red light goes out for a standing start! We ve got to focus on good practice sessions, finding out what this track is all about and what kind of grip it s going to give us, and then try to put together a golden lap during qualifying. With this field of world-class drivers, qualifying consistently well is going to be the difference in the Championship this year. And of course staying out of trouble! That last part might be easier said than done in a series this competitive, but I ve been driving in some really intense cut-throat conditions in Europe for the past two years so there s not much that can surprise me. I m still getting to know my engineer Glenn (Knabenshue) but we seemed to have a good rapport and I think we re on top of the car, so now we just need to see if we can come to grips with this new circuit! ”
John Brunner
Indianapolis, Indiana
Team Manager
“I m pleased with the way things have gone for us at the test sessions. Last year we had a four car team, but now we ve streamlined down to two cars and I m getting a sense that maybe a smaller team will produce more focus and synergy. John and Robert are amazing young men and I m proud to have them driving for us. I think about what most kids their age are doing and sometimes I m kind of awestruck at how mature and focused they are. They still let their teenager side slip out every now and then; otherwise I d forget how young they are! But we re as prepared as we can be. The Red Bull Atlantic cars are fast and bulletproof so far, and the guys have been busting their tails to get everything polished and sharpened as much as possible. We re at a new event where the veteran drivers don t know anything more about the circuit than our guys, so hopefully we ll come off the transporters quick and be right in the thick of things. Let s go racing! ”
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