01/09/2006
NEWS STORY
A1 Team Ireland successfully completed two full days of testing on Silverstone's International Circuit this week with Killiney's Paddy Hogan enjoying his first taste of the A1GP car and Rathfarnham's Michael Devaney in serious action for the first time in five months. Twenty nations took part in the test, A1GP's only official session prior to the first round of the World Cup of Motorsport scheduled to take place in Zandvoort, Holland, in one month's time.
A1 Team Ireland is now rebuilding its grand prix car ahead of its official unveiling in new team livery which will take place at Dublin's Weston Executive Airport next Friday, 8 September. The team will use the occasion to confirm its driver line-up for the season.
On Wednesday morning it was Devaney who commenced the test under the guidance of team engineer Andy Miller before Hogan took the wheel at lunch time. The current leader of the UK Formula Renault Championship took to the 550bhp A1GP car with ease, setting competitive times throughout his 48 lap stint. Devaney completed the test on Thursday, running through a series of set-up changes. The team completed a total of 210 laps/760kms over the two days, Hogan achieving a best of 1m11.912s and Devaney a 1m11.877s. Also present at the test on Thursday was Kildare's John O'Hara, currently racing in Asian Formula 3, who drove for the team at Snetterton Circuit three weeks ago.
"This week's test was important for the team, giving us our only chance to run in anger before the opening race in Zandvoort," said team owner Mark Kershaw. "Given his showing in Formula Renault this year it was good to have Paddy Hogan drive the car and he did precisely the kind of job we expected. It was also important for Michael Devaney to get some good track time after a five month break from the cockpit, and to get the team working together again. It is obvious that the overall level of competition in the series has risen and we will have a tough battle for the title."