Chapter 4

The Lotus Fan Force United #64 machine rolled on to a quiet racetrack at 1:40 this afternoon, desirous of putting the frustrating events of yesterday behind them.  A very slight breeze filled the air, as the sun shone down on the black and gold FP Journe Watches machine.  The gold embedded in the beautiful paint job sparkled in the light of the mid-day sun.  A smattering of clouds dotted the sky as the Indy faithful dotted the grandstands. 

The quiet racetrack on to which Jean had initially embarked quickly became very much less so, as other drivers joined him on the racing surface.  Jean posts a few laps in the 203mph range and heads for the pit.  Naturally, conversations with his engineering staff ensue, and recommended adjustments are applied to the car.  At exactly 2:00pm, Jean returns to the track which is now experiencing a breeze blowing north to south as the sun darts temporarily behind a cloud, casting a welcome shadow.  Speed does not come, as Jean is again stuck in the 202mph range. 

The recently formed Lotus Fan Force United team and their rookie charge have effectively taken on the role of developing the Lotus IndyCar engine.  Though it is not presently a world-beater, it is a stout powerplant.  It has a distinct and wonderful sound that sets it apart from its competitors.  Quite simply, the engine needs more work.  The Lotus team (and most certainly the Fan Force United team) are not afraid of the work.  They are not afraid of a fight.  Just like when Lotus first came to Indianapolis, they have taken on the big boys before, and they’ve come out on top.  Size doesn’t matter, and there’s no reason to believe that, given the right people in the right places, Lotus can’t eventually get things sorted and find themselves in the top spot.  In the meantime, we’re thrilled to be a part of the Lotus family, to have a driver like Jean, and to do all that we can to assist this company that has invested in the sport that we love. 

At 2:17pm, Jean again leaves the pit lane.  The sun is actively eschewing any clouds, and the track has reached a temperature of 121 degrees.  The team is working flat-out, doing all it can.  They are working hand-in-hand with Lotus, searching for speed.  The changes applied before this run do not indicate a fruitful search, as Jean is able to get right back to where he’s been.  He brings the car back to the pit.  Discouragement and frustration are beginning to rear their ugly heads.  Today is feeling a lot like yesterday.  However, we must always remember the words of Thomas Edison, when he was asked how it felt to fail so many times in his attempt to produce the incandescent light bulb.  Paraphrasing, he is reported to have said that he never failed, but simply found a vast number of ways that did not work.  The lesson to be learned from such a mindset is clear. 

Clearly discouraged and bordering on frustrated, Jean hops out of the car.  There is much work to do.  We’re nowhere near where we need to be, so back to the garage we go.  Jean signs a few autographs and heads back to the garage, intent on further discussion with team personnel and Lotus personnel.  There is a tremendous sense of urgency now.  Jean is desperate to finish his rookie orientation program and to put that behind him. 

The FP Journe Watches racecar reappears on the circuit at 4:41pm.  The air is slightly cooler, as is the track, as the sky sports a few more clouds than it had earlier in the afternoon.  It seems like everything has been thrown at the car in the last couple of hours.  Jean and the team are determined to finally get ROP out of the way.  Right off the bat, Jean puts up a lap at nearly 207mph.  Then, a lap close to 209mph.  Following that, a lap at nearly 210mph.  Something’s working!  Jean brings the car to the pit.  He’s not yet flat.  The car has a bit of a push.  The tires were at the end of their usable life.  There’s some extra downforce in the car right now.  He didn’t get a tow.  This has been a major gain.  It’s time to put on the speed.  Jean gets new tires and some adjustments to downforce levels and is sent back on to the track to lay down the laps needed to finally knock out phase 3. 

It seems that all of the hard work is about to pay dividends.  All involved have put their heads down and kept working.  As they lead the development efforts for Lotus, this Fan Force United team and its driver want to show Lotus, the racing world, and especially its fans and the extended family of Lotus owners and future Lotus owners what they can do.  We don’t want to let anybody forget how quickly this team has been assembled, and how short has been the time in which they have worked together.

At 4:55pm, the all-important set of laps commences.  Patience, persistence, and focus is about to be rewarded, and it is going to be a nice little reward for this team after the frustrations of one day ago.  Jean leaves the pits and never looks back.  He reels off the required laps, posting a top speed in excess of 211.5 mph and passing the extended test.  Jean returns his mount to pit lane.  He hops out while the team again goes to work on the car.  All of the tension of yesterday has melted away.  The sparkle is back in the eye.  There’s that schoolboy again!

The team puts Jean back in the car and sends him back out to work.  He is able to back up the laps previously posted, putting down lap times consistent with what he had just run, but feeling more comfortable in the process.  The progress continues.  He is able to round out the day with a nice set of laps in excess of 210mph.  All are happy.  A nice reward indeed.  It’s time to call it a day.  Now, we’re realistic, and realize that we are still well off the pace.  We’re not getting ahead of ourselves, as there is much more work to do.  However, little victories must be celebrated, and they can lead to bigger victories.  We’re a lot closer today than we were yesterday, and it feels pretty good.     

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