IMSA

First successful test for Zanardi and the BMW M8 GTE

The Paralympic champion spent three days testing the car he will use at Daytona for the 24 Hours at the end of January 2019. The Italian also prepared for the change of drivers with Jesse Krohn despite his handicap.

Published on 09/11/2018 à 17:48

Bernard

0 View comments)

First successful test for Zanardi and the BMW M8 GTE

More than two months after its notable appearance in DTM near Misano (Italy, he had obtained fifth place in Race 2), Alessandro zanardi is back behind the wheel of a BMW. On the small private circuit of Miramas (Bouches-du-Rhône, owned by the German brand), the Paralympic champion completed his first laps aboard the M8 GTE that he will use at the 24 2019 Hours of Daytona (Florida, 26- January 27) for three days.

The 52-year-old Italian has covered the trifle of 700 kilometers despite tricky conditions. “Miramas is not an easy circuit to negotiate, it was a real challenge to learn the behavior of the car and the track simultaneously. My sensations quickly improved and I quickly understood how I can control the electronics of the M8 GTE with my hands. »

Alessandro Zanardi, a leg amputee, does not use prostheses to drive. All controls relating to acceleration and braking are carried out manually via a single system, already seen during his stint in DTM and optimized since. The accelerator takes the shape of a circle at the back of the steering wheel. Simply pull the hoop towards you to accelerate, with one hand or a few fingers, and release it to decelerate.

 

And to brake? The pads can be controlled by a manual system. Requiring less effort than a pedal, the brake lever is placed on the central console of the cockpit, to the right of the pilot, which simply pulls to activate. Alessandro Zanardi can “drop” the gears by pressing a button at the top of the brake lever, and “up” the gears on the steering wheel.

© BMW Motorsport

The other objective of these sessions was to practice changing drivers. Jesse Krohn was present at Miramas in this capacity. “It’s impressive what we’ve managed to accomplish., continues Alessandro Zanardi. It is important to keep in mind that during these pit stops, you also have to change the steering wheel. We achieve it in less than 20 seconds, and sometimes we flirted with the 15 seconds. »

0 View comments)

Read also

Comments

*The space reserved for logged in users. Please connect to be able to respond or post a comment!

0 Comment (s)

To write a comment