IFM’S FORMULA S2000 CAR IS “MORE THAN FAST”After the latest test was concluded in Italy yesterday, International Formula Master’s (IFM) Series Director Mauro Sipsz has declared the Formula S2000 race car to be “more than fast”.The single-seater, which will run in the brand new international series, has made a big impression on the motorsport industry with its instantly remarkable pace. “Since the very beginning, the car has been more than fast,” said Sipsz. “We have in our hands one very, very fast car. For this reason we are not concentrating on performance in the tests, but more on the reliability because we have so many new things.”In particular official test driver Giorgio Pantano was charged with pushing the new six-speed, limited slip differential gearshift and clutch paddles to their limits in Vallelunga, and completed more than 1,000km with no problems.“It was working very well,” said the GP2 driver. “If you have no disabilities with the clutch movement you can make a really good start and that is the case with this car. I’m sure it will make a very good spectacle for fans!“This test was just to put kilometres onto the car. I really pushed the car; we make it work very hard!”Sipsz says that Pantano’s expertise is essential in these rigorous final stages of proofing the Formula S2000. “You must have the very strong, fast driver as Pantano to make sure every element of the car stands up to the most severe test,” he said. “We develop looking for reliability of all the elements of the car to make sure it is consistent, reliable, strong and powerful. We do this in order to deliver the cars in April in the best possible way in time for the first official testing with the teams.”This most recent three-day test is the last to be held at the regular testing venue of Vallelunga. “Yesterday we made a run of 20 laps, one of 25 and another of 30, so each around the IFM race distance at Vallelunga, and the car was perfect,” said Sipsz. “We also looked at the endurance of the Yokohama tyres; they are very consistent and survived for a long time.“Now we are going to Monza because we want to test the car and components on a very fact track. The target is to run at least 5,000km of testing, which is the same as the rebuild period for the engine and is more or less what teams will run during this season’s eight rounds.” The Formula S2000 also completed all the FIA F3 2008 homologation tests today. The IFM season will start on 20 May at Valencia Spain. It will then follow the FIA World Touring Car Championship to all its European rounds.For more information please visit www.formulamaster.net.