Vitor Meira Tests the ABC Supply No. 14 at Homestead-Miami Speedway


HOMESTEAD, FL December 9, 2008—Vitor Meira tested with A.J. Foyt’s ABC Supply team for the first time on an oval track December 9th at Homestead-Miami Speedway.


The one day test was conducted in conjunction with Firestone Tire Testing with drivers Tony Kanaan and 2008 IndyCar champion Scott Dixon. Also testing was rookie Raphael Matos in the Luczo-Dragon car.


“It was very good for the first day at an oval with the team,” said Meira afterwards. “Everything went smooth which is very important on an oval. We were able to get a feel for each other and see how we work together but we were also able to improve the car. There is still a lot of work to be done to get where we want to be but we have a good starting point. We have a lot to look forward to next year.”


Meira ran 140 laps and while no official times were given, the team was satisfied with the results.


“We learned a lot about each other,” said A.J. “Working with my new driver and new engineer, everything went about as smooth as we could have hoped for. I’m happy with the results.”


Team director Larry Foyt cited the test as an opportunity to work through procedures with Meira and newly hired engineer Adam Schaechter.


Larry Foyt hired Schaechter as the team’s chief engineer last month. Schaechter started working with the team December 1; he plans to relocate to Houston in the spring and will commute to Houston from his Chicago area home until then.


“It’s always a bit of an unknown as to how everyone will communicate,” said Foyt, “but I was impressed with the way A.J., Vitor and Adam worked so well together. Adam seems like he fits right in with our group. I’m excited about our team’s potential for the season.”


Most of Schaechter’s Indy car experience was gained in the World Champ Car Series where he worked from 1999 through 2007 before the 2008 unification. He took a one-year hiatus in 2005 to work as a design engineer for Swift, a Formula Atlantic chassis manufacturer.


Schaechter has worked with some of the top drivers in the Champ Car World Series including Alex Zanardi, Alex Tagliani and most recently, Bruno Junquiera as well as rookie Mario Moraes. Schaechter’s background also includes a stint with Reynard North America, an Indy car chassis manufacturer.


Schaechter’s interest in racing began with racing go-karts as a youngster. Studying mechanical engineering at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, he interned with Clayton Cunningham Racing and spent the next three years as a mechanic in IMSA and Trans Am sports cars with various teams. In 1990, he joined famed race car designer Roman Slobodynskyj’s firm. In 1996, he teamed up with Rod Millen’s off-road team and won the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in 1997 and again in 1998.


After the race team returns to Texas, they will be heading out to Foyt’s game ranch in West Texas for their annual hunting trip this week. The game ranch, operated by Tony Foyt (A.J. Foyt III), features whitetail deer, turkey, and black buck as well as fallow and axis deer and other exotic animals. For more information, check out www.foytgameranch.com.

 

A.J. Foyt Racing Tests Driver and Sponsors at MSR Houston


By Sydney Davis, MSR Houston


ANGLETON, Texas, October 8, 2008—A.J. Foyt Racing had a busy day down at MSR Houston testing both its new driver, Vitor Meira, and its sponsor ABC Supply.


The day started out with six ABC Supply guests testing an old IndyCar. The oval car was retro-fitted to drive on a road course. A section of the 2.38 mile road course was coned off to create a small oval-like course. The guests then took turns making runs of five and ten laps each.


"Today was great," A.J. Foyt said. "The ABC guys had a lot of fun and the weather was just perfect."


After the ride of a lifetime, Meira went out to show the guys how it's really done. Foyt made sure to point out how much better the professional was at driving, bringing out a laugh in everyone.


"See how he get's on the gas there?" Foyt asked the ABC Supply guests, "That's how it's supposed to be done."


Meira tested the car that was prepped for the upcoming race through the streets of Surfers Paradise in Australia.


"We just wanted to shake down the car," Meira said, "We actually have the Surfers' setup on the car, and we just wanted to get a feel for it. This gives us something to start with when we get on the other side of the world."


"We accomplished what we came out to do," Foyt said. "I won't be going down there though. It's too long of a trip for me, and I've been there five or six times before."


Today was Meira's first trip to the facility, not that it showed.


"I think he did a good job for not ever being here before," Foyt said. "His times got down pretty quick in the few laps he ran here."


"The track is good," Meira said. "It was a little green, with the hurricane and rain, but it's good. I like the track, and if it's up to me I'd like to come back, many times if possible."


Meira was hired by A.J. Foyt Racing in late September to replace Darren Manning. Meira previously raced for Panther Racing during the 2008 season finishing 13th in the overall standings with a best finish of second in the Indianapolis 500.


"Working for A.J., is always good," Meira said. "I have a lot to learn, but the first thing you learn is that you gotta push. You gotta push all the time with him."


"That's what I try to do when I'm in and out of the car," he continued. "It's too good of a job to take for granted. You have to try to be your best everyday, and you have to try and beat your best everyday cause that's how you are going to improve."


Catch the live race coverage at 10:30 p.m., October 25 on ESPN Classic as A.J. Foyt Racing and 23 other IndyCar Series teams race live down under. A rebroadcast of the race can be seen on ESPN2 at 11 p.m., October 26.