By Paul Kelly
indy500.com
Thursday, December 18, 2003
When Gil de Ferran decided to drive a Panoz G Force chassis in the 87th Indianapolis 500 this year, it was considered a gamble since he had driven Dallara chassis since Marlboro Team Penske joined the Indy Racing League® IndyCar® Series in 2002.
But that gamble paid off handsomely, as de Ferran drove the No. 6 Marlboro Team Penske Panoz G Force/Toyota/Firestone to his first victory in the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing" on May 25.
De Ferran didn't forget the role Panoz G Force played in his memorable victory. He visited the headquarters of Elan Motorsports Technology (EMT) - the parent company of Panoz G Force - on Dec. 17 in Braselton, Ga., to thank the employees for their efforts.
"Thank you for the wonderful job you did," de Ferran said. "From the first time I sat in the car at Indy, I knew it was going to be good. I was up to speed in no time. I really liked the way the car drove through the corners at Indy."
De Ferran toured the EMT facilities with David Bowes, chief executive officer of EMT, and Scott Atherton, president and chief executive officer of the Panoz Motor Sports Group. Bowes and EMT Chief Designer Simon Marshall showed de Ferran a new Panoz G Force chassis under construction for the 2004 IndyCar® Series season.
The tour was especially interesting for de Ferran, who studied mechanical engineering at college in Brazil before moving to England in 1988 to focus on racing.
"I was very impressed with the facilities," said de Ferran, who retired after the 2003 season. "I enjoy being around machine shops, assembly areas, and just nuts and bolts, and it's a part of being a racing driver that has always been fun for me. I felt right at home."
Asked about plans for the post-driving stage of his career, de Ferran indicated he was unsure at this point.
"I don't have anything set yet, but I hope to stay involved in some aspect of the sport," he said.
In addition to winning the Indianapolis 500, Panoz G Force also the chassis that won the 2003 IndyCar® Series title for driver Scott Dixon and Target Chip Ganassi Racing.
Panoz G Force has been a chassis manufacturer for the Indy Racing League®since 1997. ***
2004 tickets: Tickets are available for the 2004 Indianapolis 500. For information, log on to www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com, or call the IMS ticket office at (800) 822-INDY or (317) 492-6700.
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