Justus Grabs Prov. Pole at LB

[BartonTheWeird]

1 Justus
2 Macri
3 Diaz
4 Dalziel
5 Allmendinger
6 Valiante
7 Figge
8 Hand
9 DeVellis
10 Patrick
11 Roy
12 Garcia
13 Krisiloff
14 Jensen

[Drafter]

Second Qualifying Results
A J Allmendinger sets new TA track record with pole time of 1:16.261
Dalziel 1:16.331
Diaz 1:16.459
Macri 1:16.608
Justus 1:16.857
Valiante 1:16.899
Figge 1:17.079
Hand 1:17.516
DeVelis 1:17.649
Roy 1:17.865
Patrick 1:17.880
Garcia 1:18.847
Krisiloff 1:19.093
Jensen 1:20.617
Fayer 1:25.337

[scheisselos]

What happened to Romain Dumas and Figueroa the other Squadra Fortia effort?

[BartonTheWeird]

Scuadria Fortia has unfortunately closed up shop, effective immediately. So we will no longer be hearing for them. It's a shame, too.

from www.wickedracingnews.com

Los Angeles ( April 9, 2003 ) With two days before the start of the Long Beach Grand Prix, San Diego based Toyota Atlantic team Scuadra Fortia announced that, effective immediately, it will cease competition in the CART Toyota Atlantic Championship Series.

Team Owner Allen Berg spoke with Wicked Racing News earlier today and stated that the decision that this was strictly a business decision. The current nationwide financial uncertainty as well as the increased costs associated with running the Toyota Atlantic series all added up and ultimately contributed to this decision.

Although he wishes that the circumstances were different, the current financial situation dictated this course of action. No one can blame Berg for not trying. Berg had solicited sponsorship from over 800 business but to no avail. As Berg points out , the recently announced Grupo Gigante sponsorship was strictly for the Monterrey race.

Scuadra Fortia was formed 6 weeks prior to the opening race of the 2002 racing season . With drivers Eduardo Figueroa and Waldemar Coronas at the helm the team the team enjoyed a couple of top 10 finishes with Coronas 6 different races. For 2003 the team entered the season again with with Eduardo Figueroa and Formula 3000 runner-up Romain Dumas. Figueroa finished the race in 14th, while Dumas finished 9th.

Though Berg states that he remains supportive of the series and reaffirms its importance in Open Wheel driver development, he expressed concern that costs are getting increasingly higher. In addition to the current economic situation in North America, testing and costs associated with engines are escalating at a rate that has unfortunately left him behind.

Berg stated that he is beginning the process of liquidating the team's assets. Continue to check Wicked Racing News for further information.