Targa 66 Moroso 2005

TARGA 66 PRE-SEASON TESTING February 25-27, 2005

Our 2005 race season got off to an early start in Florida this year as we took advantage of pre-season testing at Moroso for a change. Eager to shake off the winter doldrums were Rick Carlino with his Chevron Gropa, and Hamish Somerville with three of his cars, including his latest acquisition – the Williams FW07 F1 car, having just arrived from the UK after being prepared and tested by Simon Hadfield Racing.
Hamish Somerville's "new" Williams FW07 F1 car at Simon Hadfield Racing in England, for prep & testing before flying to the USA	such a charming & tidy English yard.... (click photos to enlarge)
Simon Hadfield tests Hamish's F1 car at Mallory and Donington	(The car passes with flying colors, so to speak...)

While there is always plenty of anticipation at the beginning of a new season, we just couldn’t wait to see Hamish get out on the track in this car for the first time. We were like kids on Christmas morning.
- Photos by Wayne Leblanc (click to enlarge)
Finally the moment arrived, & sure enough, Hamish took to the Williams car like a duck to water.
He was a natural. Driving flawlessly, he never stalled on takeoff and he even got the tires warm on his first outing. Needless to say, the car looked and sounded spectacular on the track.
After driving his March F2 car for the first time, Hamish had come in with the biggest smile on his face. But it could not compare to the exhilaration written all over him after driving the Williams FW07. The car was a perfect fit as well – Hamish is apparently an Alan Jones clone.
- Photo by Bob Harrington (embellished by the Webmaster)
With proper guidance from F1 car specialist Tony Morris of Simon Hadfield Racing in the UK (who came over to show our crew a few tricks of the F1 trade), Hamish got quicker and quicker as he became more comfortable and in control every session. The car was everything we had hoped it would be. Ace F1 Engineer, Tony Morris	- Photo by Wayne LeBlanc (click to enlarge)

	We also had an opportunity to shake out Hamish’s Chevron B23 at Moroso after its winter rebuild. A few adjustments, particularly in the braking department, and all was well. Alas, the March F2 car still had problems and had to be parked. Turns out the new oil tank fitted last year just didn’t have enough flow. Oh well, back to the drawing board… Hamish in his trusty Chevron B23, supported by Lee, Thatcher Goddard, and new crew-member, Ed Barker (farthest left) - Photos by Wayne LeBlanc (click to enlarge)

In his Chevron Gropa, Rick Carlino got quicker and quicker the more comfortable he became with the track at Moroso. After some initial problems with the ignition, the car ran like clockwork again, albeit a little on the hot side. We would rectify this for Sebring by repositioning the cooler.
Racer Rick Rocks in his Gorgeous Gropa - Photo by Gordon Jolley
The weather was “iffy” all weekend, but this did not deter our pilots; that is, until Sunday when monsoon conditions put paid to any hope of running Sunday morning. We decided to pack up early and split for Sebring, where everything was a bit less expensive. Nevertheless, everyone had good fun. We must have earned shares in Paddy Mac’s Irish Pub, we were there so frequently. This really is a great way to start off the season.
On to Sebring!

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