Panoz gets first all-out road test

The new Panoz DP01 race car that will be fielded by all Champ Car World Series competitors in 2007 got its first all-out road test this week at Sebring International Raceway in Central Florida.

Longtime Champ Car and Formula One driver Roberto Moreno put the sleek new car through its paces on the 1.67-mile Sebring course.

“I am extremely impressed with how quickly we got the testing program running and running well,” Moreno said. “All of the new systems showed great promise and should provide the teams and drivers with a car that they can really work with.

“The paddle shifters (on the steering wheel) worked well and will really allow you to drive the car in the corners deeper since you don’t have to take your hands off the wheel. The brakes worked well, the cooling systems did a great job and I am excited.”

The car went through a number of short runs as engineers were careful not to overheat it on a 92-degree day in Sebring.

“Everything is going according to plan,” said Scot Elkins, director of technology for Champ Car. “We are very happy with the results and we feel confident in our ability to complete our test plan. We are looking forward to increasing the length and the intensity of the testing as we go along.”

Carmichael takes seventh in-a-row

Ricky Carmichael has wrapped up his seventh straight Motocross title and 15th national title overall with two races remaining in the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship.

The 26-year-old rider from Tallahassee, Fla., clinched the titles with a victory last Sunday in Binghampton, N.Y.

Carmichael now owns seven AMA 250 Motocross Championships, three AMA 125 Motocross Championships and five AMA Supercross Series titles. In addition, Carmichael won an AMA 125 East Region Supercross title in 1998.

This championship may be the last for Carmichael. He announced earlier this season that 2006 would be his final full-time season of Supercross and Motocross. Many fans hold out hope that Carmichael will change his mind and continue to pursue titles in 2007.

“When I sit back and look at it, to never lose an outdoor title, that’s pretty amazing. I can’t believe it,” Carmichael said. “I feel really fortunate; it’s been a great career. I had the opportunity to race against some great riders like Jeremy McGrath – the best supercross racer ever.

“The way I look at it, if I keep racing I’m going to get beat. You have to know when your time is and I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished in my career. I have some other opportunities and look forward to seeing what they have in store for me. I’m glad I could go out on top.”

Carmichael has even indicated he might be interested in seeing what it’s like to race on four wheels in NASCAR.

Da Matta out of intensive care

Champ Car driver Cristiano da Matta has been transferred out of the intensive care unit at Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah, Wis.

A doctor said da Matta’s condition has improved significantly over the past few days, though the Brazilian who drives for RuSport Racing is still not completely conscious, responsive or able to speak.

Da Matta was injured after colliding with a deer that ran onto the track at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., during a Champ Car open test on Aug. 3.

“Cristiano is still making daily progress while recovering from injury two weeks ago,” said Chris Pinderski, Champ Car’s medical director. “He is now in an intermediate care unit at Theda Clark Medical Center. We will now begin the process of planning for longer-term rehabilitation, which is necessary after significant head injuries.”

RuSport ran the race two weeks ago in Denver with only one car, driven by da Matta’s teammate, Justin Wilson. The team plans to do the same in the Champ Car race Sunday in Montreal.