May 06, 2002
Mapes-VO test driver, Andrew Cooper, has had an awful week, one he wants to forget. He spoke to the press before he was schedueled to compete in the F3000 race in Spain.

"I've had an awful week. It started off badly and just got worse. On Saturaday I flew off to Russia for some private testing. I was awful, and set quite a poor time. I came back to Britain on Monday, waiting for conformation that I was taking part in the GB test. Me and Matt (Maple) had a mix up. It wasn't anyone's fault really, just one of those things. When I didn't get any conformation, I thought I wasn't in, so I went back to Russia to finish off. Matt however, thought that I knew I was racing, and so expected me there. He rang me up Wednesday, and was quite angry. He had every right to be. I told him what had happened, and it was fine. Unfortunately, I'd already been dropped from the test, and quite rightfully so.

When I got back to Russia, I set another poor time on Thursday. Then I realised I'd got my dates mixed up, and that I should have also qualified for the F3000 race. It was too late then though, so I tried to concentrate on my final run at Russia on Saturday.

The run on Saturday was better, but not much. I raced back to England where I had a prior arrangment, before coming down here. I was allowed to start from P22. I knew it would be tough, but I needed the race practice anyway. I haven't raced since Brazil.

I won't be racing after all now though. We found a computer glitch in warm-up. It enhances performance, but if I use it, I will be disqualified. It can't be mended here, so that's it. I'm very dissapointed, but I'll go back home, rest, and come back fresh for Austria."