AVONDALE, Louisiana (March 14, 2015) – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLLR) and driver Graham Rahal completed their first test day with Honda’s all-new aerodynamic kit today at the 2.67-mile NOLA Motorsports Park road course. The team previously tested at this track February 10-11.
“Overall the day was pretty good,” said Rahal, who completed 80 laps. “We didn’t get to run our last set of tires but I don’t think many people did. I would have liked to have picked up a bit more speed; our fastest lap was on old tires so I was kind of hoping to see what we could do on new tires but we just never really got to wring its neck. For our first day, the car feels decent and for it to be the first time we have run with this aero kit and to have been right up there with the fastest Honda team, and be the fastest one this morning felt pretty good. We’ve got a little more work to do to catch up to the fastest guys but all in all its pretty close and we feel pretty good about it.
“In some areas you notice the difference the aero kit makes and others, not as much,” added Rahal on the feeling of driving the car with the new aero kit compared to the previous configuration. “When we talk about more downforce, typically that is higher speed so in the high speed areas, sure you can feel it but in the slower speed areas it’s not as noticeable. We have been waiting for this day for a long time and I’m very happy it went as well as it did. We will keep working on it, get better and better and I think we will be good in the end.”
The team will travel to Barber Motorsports Park tomorrow for a series-wide open test March 16-17.
The 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series season begins with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 29. For more information, log on to www.rahal.com,www.grahamrahal.com or www.indycar.com
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