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Tagliani Tests New Lotus/Dallara/Firestone Indy Car

Tagliani Tests New Lotus/Dallara/Firestone Indy Car

Anne Proffit

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Anne Proffit has worked in the automotive field since - well, not telling you that. She's been a car salesperson (before it was popular to hire... More

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Photo courtesy Bryan Herta Autosport

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Team Barracuda - Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) driver Alex Tagliani took his first laps in a new Lotus/Dallara/Firestone Indy car earlier this week on Homestead-Miami Speedway's road course. It was Tag's first time in the Lotus-powered Indy car this year.

The Lotus test team, comprised of BHA, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and HVM Racing completed two days of engine development testing as well as set-up work. Tagliani was positive about his first experience with the new engine and chassis combination he'll be using this year.

"Overall it was a good test," he said. "It was nice to be back in the car and I really enjoyed working with everyone from Lotus and all three of the teams. It's a very motivated group with high expectations," Tagliani admitted.

"We picked up a lot of the info that will be helpful in upcoming tests. Oriol [Servia] should be able to continue where we left off," when the Dreyer & Reinbold driver next tests the car. "The car is nice to drive and has a lot of potential. It's also great to know that there are more updates and upgrades for the engine and chassis."

Reunited with engineer Todd Malloy, Tagliani said, "It was especially fun to be back on track with Todd on my radio." The duo earned pole position and a fourth place result last season at Texas Motor Speedway.

Team owner Bryan Herta expressed his satisfaction with Tagliani's testing: "Great to see and hear the Lotus engine for myself here in Homestead. It is easy to get excited as the season approaches and preparations continue to intensify. Alex gave us great feedback on the car and engine," he said.

The first driver to sample this year's Lotus 2.2-liter V-6 twin-turbo engine was Simona de Silvestro of HVM-Lotus Racing, who tested at Palm Beach International Raceway and at Sebring International Raceway in an extended pair of sessions for the engine's maiden outings.

Servia, of Dreyer & Reinbold Racing is next behind the wheel as the Lotus test team heads for Sebring again the final two days of January. Added tests are planned throughout February and March leading up to the IZOD IndyCar Series opener on the streets of St Petersburg, scheduled for March 25 with live broadcast
on ABC.

Production Lotus engines begin delivery to the teams - Bryan Herta Autosport, HVM-Lotus Racing, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and Dragon Racing in about two weeks time, after which teams will begin testing in their own Dallara chassis.