Firestone Fast Six Qualifying Report - Motegi17/09/2011
IZOD IndyCar Series - Indy Japan - The Final
Twin Ring Motegi Road Course, Motegi, Japan
Saturday, September 17, 2011 - Round 15 of 17
Twin Ring Motegi Road Course, Motegi, Japan
Saturday, September 17, 2011 - Round 15 of 17
'Firestone Fast Six' Qualifying Results (mph): 1. Scott Dixon (109.143); 2. Will Power (109.113); 3. Graham Rahal (108.919); 4. Ryan Briscoe (108.793); 5. James Hinchcliffe (108.558); 6. Helio Castroneves (108.501).
Firestone qualifying recap: In the first three sessions of knockout-style qualifying, all cars used a new set of alternate red sidewall tires. In the Firestone Fast Six, each car was equipped with used alternate tires. The primary tire is new for this season and is making its debut this weekend at Motegi, while the alternate is the same spec that was used earlier this season in Edmonton. This is Scott Dixon's second pole position of the season (Mid-Ohio).
Qualifying temperatures: Track temperatures ranged from 100°-114° F (38° - 46° C) and ambient temperatures from 86°- 87° F (30° - 31° C).
From pole winner Scott Dixon, #9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone: "The track, with it cooling off, seemed to be getting a bit better. We're on the pole, and that's what counts. Being in Japan for the last IndyCar race for us at the moment, it feels pretty special. Hopefully Team Target can go on for a good race tomorrow. It's hard, because we're the only formula here, and it's tough to put rubber down. But you can see with the times going down, we're beginning to get quicker on the track and the rubber's starting to go down. The alternate Firestone tires feel really good - good grip and good consistency. The primaries are just hard, but that's what they're there for! They seem to be lasting fantastically."
