Ron's letter from America - 8th April 09*
Scott’s drive in the Honda Grand Prix of St Petersburg
The team really struggled with the car right through to qualifying as I mentioned over the weekend. Then in practice on race morning (Sunday) they finally felt that they had a great car.
During the race they were having a good run until the first pit stop when unfortunately the Penske driver parked in Scott’s pit, which meant he couldn’t get in. So he went from fifth to last. The start of a disastrous day.
During the rest of the race they tried different strategies hoping that it would stay green and thus save fuel. However there were a number of yellows and then with about 34 laps to go they decided to come in and fuel to the end.
At that stage he was heading for an eighth place when he tried to pass Mutoh and as you know they came together.
Scott was able to keep going. After that he went right then left and then tried to turn right again and it wouldn’t turn. So it was into the wall, game over! (He had broken a steering arm from hitting Mutoh).
It was pretty disappointing because they had a good car. I thought that it was capable of a podium.
After St Petersburg Scott’s as positive as ever. It has always been a track which hasn’t been kind to Scott, whereas Watkins Glen has been a paradise.
Indy Lights at St Petersburg
It was a great result for our team (Jay Howard and Charlie Kimble), considering their lack of testing. Charlie came from eighteenth in the second race through to finish seventh. He did a very good job with some great passing manoeuvres and avoiding the carnage in front of him. Jay is fifth overall in the championship.
We are looking forward to heading to Long Beach in ten days time with two cars in the top ten.
We qualified badly at St Petersburg and it’s hard to claw your way forward from the middle of the pack. But hey, it was a good result considering and the team picked up $39,000 in prize money as a result.
The next round at Long Beach, California
It’s a good track, a typical street course with not many places to pass. I would say that it is better than the Gold Coast or St Petersburg. It has been very good for Scott. He’s won there before.
I think hat it s track that will suit our Indy Light drivers. After the round in the weekend I’m confident that we can continue the top ten finishes even a podium.
It has been straight back to the track (Palm Beach International Raceway) this week. Back to finalising the weekend events from the track. We have some really interesting events coming up which are quite exciting (more later
Tonight will be the coldest night that they’ve had for a while. It is going to be 40 degF (5 deg c) and tomorrow 60deg F (15 deg C).
The weather here is unbelievably good. It was windy earlier today. Everyone was freezing while for you and I it was a comfortable breeze. We have a cold front that comes through from the north west. While everyone is in the minus we are in the forties (Fahrenheit).
It reminds me of the years that we were living in Townsville Australia. When we came back to NZ we thought the winters were cruel and that we were going to freeze. But they were nothing compared to what a lot of America has. I’m talking about the Midwest, like Indiana. It is a matter of getting acclimatised.
More soon.
Other letters from Ron
Qualifying was average, the racing should be great
*Ron Dixon is father to Indianapolis 500 winner and 2003 & 08 IndyCar champion Scott Dixon. He is also the President of Palm Beach International Raceway, Junpitor, Florida. This season nzracer.com follows Ron on his road trip around America with the Indycar Championship. Each week Ron will give us the insiders view from track side, pit lane and behind the scenes.
