Townsend Bell completes 1,500km test

By Phil Huff (05/09/2003)
September 5 2003

In Central France, the Lurcy test provided the chance for the team to evaluate American F3000 driver Townsend Bell, while completing essential aerodynamic development evaluation under the direction of aerodynamic engineer Willem Toet.

The three-day session saw Townsend complete over 1500kms of straight-line testing on a 1.5km track, working closely with Honda engineers to collect data. On the final day, the engineers allowed Townsend to undertake a couple of starts for experience.

At the end of his three-day stint, Townsend commented "This whole experience has been fantastic. I did a lot of kilometres and learned so much. It's been a great opportunity to learn the systems on the car and the chicanes at each end of the track enabled me to find the lateral limit of the tyres and really get comfortable. The aim of the test was to help BAR improve so I tried to do the best job I could for the team and for Honda, and hopefully I have been able to make a good contribution. I have thoroughly enjoyed the test and even after three days of going in a straight line, I still didn’t want to get out of the car!"