“The PKV Racing team made some gains today, especially when we ran the
Bridgestone alternative tyre. I still have some concerns when we run the primary tyre, but I have much higher grip and less problems when I am on the alternative tyre. But, I have to say we still have a lot of work to do before the race. I am pretty disappointed with our qualifying effort because we were so much better in testing during the off-season. I think part of the problem is that the Long Beach circuit is bumpy and we don’t have a lot of data in that area. However, I am looking forward to tomorrow’s race. The first corner of the first race of a championship is always a concern, but we have some very talented drivers in this series, so I am not really worried.”
RONNIE BREMER (#55 HVM Inc. Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone):
"We had a little problem with the differential this morning and, unfortunately, it was a bit of a problem toward the end of the session this afternoon as well. I made a small mistake on the exit of turn ten on my last lap, that combined with the differential problem kept us from improving at the end. I am happy though, ninth isn't too bad for my first weekend in a Champ Car, I think I've surprised some people. My Bridgestone alternate tyres were great, I picked up a lot of time with them when I used them in qualifying, I am looking forward to them in the race tomorrow. The speed is unbelievable compared to the Atlantic car. Having so much speed I am learning I must be careful with no traction control, my foot is the traction control."
AJ ALLMENDINGER (#10
Red Bull Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone):
“To say we’re frustrated is probably an obvious understatement. I was struggling with some front-end grip yesterday, and today it was more of the same. The car is just not handling well. I know we can get there, because we’ve been really quick in testing and Justin [Wilson] has been quick all weekend. We’re definitely going to be working hard tonight so that we can deliver the results we all know RuSPORT is capable of.”
JIMMY VASSER (#12 Gulfstream/PKV Racing Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone):
“The PKV Racing team made a little improvement in final qualifying…not as much as we wanted, but the car was a little better. I really liked the Bridgestone alternative tyre. It has more grip and that was one of the biggest factors in our improvement. Overall, as an owner and a driver, I am obviously disappointed with where both cars ended up on the grid. I expect to qualify higher. We still have a lot of work to do before tomorrow’s race, but we have the warm-up session tomorrow to see how the changes we come up with tonight will work.”
RYAN HUNTER-REAY (#31 Rocketsports Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone):
"We've faced some major issues this weekend and have had to sort out some problems. It has been an uphill battle for us at Rocketsports this weekend. We are going to regroup right now and work towards a good race set-up for tomorrow. Starting in the pack means I going to have to take advantage of any opportunities we can including turn one at the start."
BJORN WIRDHEIM (#4 HVM Inc. Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone):
"For sure, 13th is not where I wanted to end be. With the field as tight as it is, you must get everything out of the car, especially the tyres. Today, there was more for me to find in the tyres and I did not maximise them. We made a change between the qualifying warm-up and the qualifying session that did not suit the softer tyres. So we made a little mistake, but that is the way it is sometimes. I have learned a lot the last two days and it is incredible how tight the field is. I am looking forward to my first Champ Car race tomorrow. It will be important for me to keep it clean and have good pit-stops."
MARCUS MARSHALL (#5 Aussie Vineyards Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone):
“It was great to be closer to everybody today and I was able to have a real go on the faster option Bridgestone Potenzas. On my first set of tyres, my out lap was really strong and the second lap was going really well until I hit traffic right at the end of the lap. I was about six to seven-tenths up on my fastest before that happened. My second set of tyres didn’t feel quite as strong, I think the track temperature rose a little, but I didn’t have the same level of grip. I am very happy so far because I keep getting faster with every lap. Tomorrow will be a big day for me and I am really looking forward to it. I don’t think I am going sleep at all tonight. I have been used to running at the front in my career, but I am in the big leagues now, so it is time to start the learning experience."
