Asian F3 Pacific Champion, Dillon Battistini, had a successful two day test for the Minardi Champ Car Team at Sebring. The team were impressed with his speed and feedback and once again an AF3 graduate is demonstrating the value of Asian F3 to a driver's career.

Dillon had two days in the car, sharing with GP2 driver, Ernesto Viso, and was soon up to speed after completing over 300 miles.

Keith Wiggins of Minardi reported "I was also impressed with Dillon with his professional approach and feedback. It was more of a jump for him from F3 but he definitely proved that with enough time in the car he'll be a good addition to the Champ Car World Series."

Battistini, who won the Asia Pacific Formula Three championship this year said: "It was fantastic. I went 1.5 seconds quicker today than I did yesterday, and I think that was only 0.5 seconds off what Robert Doornbos and Dan Clarke [Minardi's 2007 race drivers] did on their last test here.

"I think the brakes, the power and the downforce are fantastic, but I think the improvement was down to being able to visualise which way the track went and also just knowing better what to expect from the car.

"Physically I didn't find it too hard. There was a track we raced at in Asia Pacific F3 at Batangas in the Philippines which is incredibly physical, both in terms of layout and because of the humidity and heat. The conditions here in Sebring were much better.

"Yesterday my arms were tired because this Sebring layout doesn't give you any real straights. They're long curves, and with the downforce these cars produce, you're turning gently, but flat out!

"But I think I did 70 laps yesterday and 65 laps today, so I was okay. I was working with Michael Cannon [Doornbos' engineer this season] which was brilliant. He said my feedback was good, so overall I think I made a good impression."

For more news check out the following sites:

http://www.minarditeamusa.com/press041207.html

http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=12425

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/64269

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/05122007/58/2007-season-battistini-impresses-minardi-test.html

http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/champcar/41937/

http://www.automobilsport.com/minardi-team-usa-viso-ernersto-battistini-dillon-test-sebring-champ-car-dp01-florida-track-rookie---30679.html

http://www.automobilsport.com/front_content.php?client=1&lang=1&idcat=458&idart=28445&displaylimit=26

http://www.crash.net/motorsport/champcar/news/157925-0/battistini_wants_more_after_first_taste.html

http://www.formula3.cc/content/view/21738/491/

http://www.fosagold.org/F1SA/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=4786

http://sportnet2.wordpress.com/2007/12/05/battistini-viso-complete-minardi-test/

http://en.rsspress.info/article/ce34a8fc9d99a0d4af757768b43f6fad/Battistini+impresses+in+maiden+champcar+test.html

http://www.champcarworld.net/pages/news.php?id=4806&lg=nl&r

http://www.champcarworld.net/pages/news.php?id=4817

http://www.grandprix-live.com/2007/12/06/champcar-viso-battistini-complete-minardi-team-usa-test/

http://www.racegarage.it/notizia.php?id_news=5502

http://www.superlicenca.com.br/0,0,6,46049,00.html