'Marriage' problems for the A23 and Cosworth ?

By Huw Alban
April 27 2002

More details have emerged about the delay by OrangeArrows to the shakedown run for the new Cosworth A23. Indications were that the car had 'rear end' problems, but a slightly clearer picture has emerged that the A23 might have engine seating problems instead.

Enrique Bernoldi was due to give the new car a run at the end of this week, but yesterday news hit this site that it had been delayed indefinately.
Yesterday the only indication was that the was something amis with the rear of the car, but whether it was rear wing, bodywork, or suspension etc related was unknown.

A report from rtlgrandprix (kindly translated by message board contributor Kurgan) has indicated that the problem is engine related. The site is unclear as to whether the problem is actually with the engine itself or whether it is do to with the all-crutial mating of the two components together. Unfortunately the site was unable to obtain any comment from OrangeArrows on the matter.

As for the shakedown run itself, Arrows are planning to use a long straight, probably on an airfield or even a race circuit. Possible venues are Silverstone, where Jordan has been known to to straight line tests before, or the Santa Pod drag strip in Northamptonshire, or Bruntingthorpe aerodrome where I have it on good authority Arrows have been developing the AX3.

The team are then planning to fly out Valencia next week to tkae part in the official test there. The Dutch site, in January, was also able to get some feedback from Tom Walkinshaw on why there has been a delay in the team taking to the track this year. According to the team boss, using a modified A22 with a Cosworth engine would have been a waste of time. "Both parts have already proven their status," he has been quoted as saying to the site.

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