Max,

Hello. I went to Houston to cheer other teams. I was looking forward seeing you in Japan very much, so I also expected to see you this time. I was made an impression by the color of Arciero -Blair's car. It was beautiful, especially it was running. I thought its base color is white, no, it was. What do you call the color ? Pale gold ? I like the color of the car. Thank you for finishing the race. Please visit Japan next year ( if the team could ).

Q: My questions to you or the team are what are the color names of the car ? And what do the colors mean ? - Yoko Sato

A: I would like to thank you on behalf of our team for writing in to ask us a question.
The main colors on our car are:
a.. Fluorescent Red
b.. Black
c.. Pearl White

They really have no meaning other than they are colors that show up well in pictures and on television. Thank you again for the interest in our team.

Max,

I would like to thank you for taking the time to sign an autograph for my son at Mid-Ohio. We are huge cart fans and stand in the paddocks for hours because Eric loves the drivers and cars. Many of the drivers are to busy and cannot or will not sign autographs in the paddock area. You not only stopped for Eric, but took an extra moment to give him a smile. For that I thank you and my family is now Max Wilson fans. We live in Hilliard, Ohio (Team Rahal and Zakspeed territory) but we've added you to our favorites and are going to follow your career and cheer you on. By the way Road America was not your fault. Bryan Herta has never been a very bold driver. He eased up a little too much with a bunch of Cart drivers behind him. Besides they should have stopped the river before they started the race! From the new central Ohio Max Wilson Fan Club.......GO MAX!

Dean Platt

Q: I was wondering if you thought that you may have an advantage over the other drivers in the series during the races in Germany and England since you were a driver in Europe for so long? I hope to see you on the podium! - Kristin

A: It’s nice to return to Europe because I have lived and raced in both Germany and England. After leaving Brazil, I was first in Germany for one year and then in England for four years. The European tracks will be different from the tracks that we are currently racing on. They will be new for everyone; we (the drivers) will all be learning the new venues together. Going to Lola and Ford will be good because we will see everyone who builds our chassis and engines; we will also be able to see the improvements they are making and their plans for the future. Working out and exercising will still remain important on this long trip so I stay physically and mentally ready to race. The last few races for our team have not gone our way. The series is so competitive this year; the times, speeds and the competition are close and tough. We are also still a new team and I think new teams struggle in the beginning. However, I am looking forward to the races in Europe and the four remaining races after that.

Max,

I wanted to thank you for the time and appreciation you always show to your fans. I recently had the fortunate opportunity to make your acquaintance at Road America, and I'll never forget how you went out of your way to invite me into your paddock area when I sought an autograph and my pen did not work. Never before have I seen a driver make himself so available to his fans. Thanks again and best of luck in the remainder of the season!

Shelly Vollme

Max,

I just wanted to say that I am glad that you are okay after that frightening incident at Road America this afternoon. Being with you almost every weekend watching the races, you have become really almost like family, and I am glad to know that everything is okay. I hope to see you on the podium in Vancouver!

Q: Being such a new team, do you know if you will see a big turnover in your crew members? I am also wondering how long you have signed with Arciero-Blair Racing. Thanks for making yourself so available to your fans! - Kristin Peterson

A: You would normally expect a small turn over with any team, new or old. But we are not expecting a large turn over at Arciero-Blair Racing at all for 2002. Arciero-Blair Racing has a option for my services for 2002 and I fully expect that they will exercise that option by October. - Max Wilson

Hello Max,

Larry tells me that you are healing fine after you had that nasty shunt at Michigan. Whenever I am home and practice or qualifying is going on, I will turn on my computer and watch live information from www.cart.com. I am glad to see that everyone is on the rise.

I am looking forward to this next race at Road America. It is a track that I have always admired. I hope that you will find the track suitable so that you and the team can have a good race.

Q: My question to you is, what happens to the car when the wicker bill is flapping in the wind or when it has been removed? I actually noticed it during the race coverage at Mid-Ohio before the announcers said anything. - Tom Blair

A: When the wicker bill was taken out we lost downforce in the rear of the car. But when the crew pulled it out it didn't change it too much. It took about 100 lbs of downforce off the rear. It made it faster on the straights but slower in the corners. It did however make it harder for me to drive. - Max Wilson

Max,

I took my four year old son, Joshua, to the Ford Free Prix Day in Detroit this year. As we were walking through the paddok getting autographs on the cards the teams give away, we were snubbed by some of the more popular drivers. They were too busy.

We walked past your motorcoach eating area. You were sitting and talking with someone at the table. My son held up the card and a pen. You waved him into the tent and talked to him and signed the card. I had my camera and got a picture. You are now one of my son's favorite drivers. He always looks for you during the broadcasts.

He was so excited when you were in 4th at Portland and was laughing and smiling when you led at Cleveland. He was sad when you had a problem on the pit stop that set you back.

Thanks for taking the time with the fans, especially the little ones. I can tell similar stories of the approachability of Michel Jourdain Jr., Tarso Marques and Memo Gidley. I also have pictures of them and my son that he proudly displays on his wall. You not only won him as a fan for life, but also his father as well.

Matt Granger

Max,

1st of all congrats on the 4th place in Portland! I was really pushing for ya while I was watching at home in NY. Everytime you came up on the Festival curve I really thought you were gonna get Roberto! Good luck in Cleveland. I'll be routing for you over there. Hopefully the #25 Lola Ford will be at the top of the podium in Cleveland

Mark McIntyre

Max,

I don't have a question but just want to congratulate you on a great race at Portland. I was in the stands right next to your pits and enjoyed watching your progress. You and your team should be extremely proud and good luck for the rest of the season.

Paul A. Easter

Q: Max - Hi from a British fan in Yorkshire, England. There is a surprising rivalrly in this country between Lola and Reynard, with Reynard appearing to have the upper hand at the moment. What are your views on the Lola chassis, do you think its better than the Reynard? Incidentally, I am a Lola fan! - David Hodgson

A: Our team thinks that it is a better chassis than Reynard. We are proud to be part of the Lola team. We also congratulate them on their 100th win. I'm very happy to be driving a Lola champ car. I went to the Lola factory and I saw how the cars are made. The Lola engineers work hard to give us a winning car. I hope that very soon Arciero-Blair Racing can help to increase Lola's winning numbers. - Max Wilson

Q: Max, what is driving the Lola like in comparison to the Formula One cars you tested? - Rick E. Breville

A: The engine is a bit stronger in the Champ Car and the Champ Car has better grip in the slow turns, because they are wider and have slick tires. The Formula One Car brakes better, because it has carbon brakes and the cars are lighter.

Q: Max, do you have any friends in this series? If so, do you compare notes? - Wendy Smith

A: I know most of the Brazilian drivers, but during the weekend we don't have too much time to talk. So, I don't really compare notes during the race weekend with them.

Q: Max, who is the race driver that you looked up to most while you were coming up through the ranks? - Carson Stevens

A: Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna.