Indy Lights: Philippe quickest in pre-season test

Frenchman Richard Philippe set the fastest time on day one of the Indy Lights pre-season test at Palm Beach International Raceway.
 

Genoa Lights and Richard Philippe topped the timesheets on day one of the Indy Lights pre-season test at Palm Beach International Raceway this week.
 

The newly renovated circuit, formerly known as Moroso Motorsport Park, saw Philippe, driving for series newcomers Genoa, set a best time of 1:07.304 seconds, just pipping American Charlie Kimball of Sam Schmidt Motorsports and Panther Racing’s Martin Plowman.
 

Others at the test included Sam Scmidt’s Ana Beatriz, Guthrie Meyer Racing pair Ali Jackson and Sean Guthrie and Panther’s Pippa Mann.
 

“I was really proud of Richard and the whole team,” said Genoa Lights owner Mark Olson. “"It is always a pleasure to work with professionals. We had a definite plan for the day. Richard went out and hit all his marks, working his way through the plan. His feedback was very precise and the team quickly dialed the car in. It was a real workman like effort by everyone."
 

Day two of the test saw Canadian James Hinchcliffe and Brazilian Nelson Merlo join the Sam Schmidt Motorsport line up, while Kimball took Philippe’s place at Genoa Lights.
 

All four teams will now move on to Homestead-Miami Speedway for two days of oval testing at the end of this month, with AFS/Andretti Green Racing and drivers J.R. Hildebrand and Sebastian Saavedra joining the group.