CHAMPCAR/CART: Toronto: Walker Racing Friday report

The first day of on-track activity for the Molson Indy Toronto proved to be challenging for the Champ Car field due to constantly changing wet and dry conditions. Walker Racing rookies Rodolfo Lavin and Darren Manning didn't turn laps on slicks (dry tires) until the provisional qualifying round Friday afternoon.

Rodolfo Lavin (R), #5 Corona Competition Team Ford-Cosworth XFE-Reynard-Bridgestone

"Our number of laps was really limited today with the changing conditions. I only did 15 laps on slick tires. We were struggling with understeer a lot this afternoon and I caught traffic in qualifying, so it was a really tough day in the Corona car. We left a lot of time on the table. We just need a chance to get some more laps in tomorrow to work on the set-up."

Fast Facts:

Will mark his tenth Champ Car start, Will mark his first Champ Car start at Toronto, Has six previous starts at the circuit contesting races in Indy Lights (1996 - 1999) and in Toyota Atlantics (2001 - 2002) where he earned consecutive eighth place finishes

Darren Manning, (R), #15 RAC Walker Racing Ford-Cosworth XFE-Reynard-Bridgestone

"It was difficult going (into provisional qualifying) firstly because we hadn't done any dry running. I ran two laps on dry tires this morning, and it wasn't dry at the time. We even ran the ten minute qualifying warm-up on wet tires, so the first time I saw the place on dry tires was the first run on slicks in qualifying and the track was really, really dirty. The RAC Walker Racing car was pretty loose during the first run, so we made some changes and waited as long as we could for the second run, trying to get a little cleaner track. Generally we struggle to be in the top-ten on the first day, so I'm pretty pleased to be in eighth especially considering it was like the first run."

Fast Facts:

Fastest rookie and Reynard in provisional qualifying, Will be his eleventh Champ Car start and tenth with Walker Racing, Has earned seven top-ten finishes in 2003, Has eight top-ten finishes to his credit in ten starts, Ranked tenth overall in the drivers' championship after picking up three additional points for the tenth place finish for a season total of 45, Currently second in the Rookie of the Year standings