Tracy set the pace of the first qualif session
source: Players
Vancouver, British Columbia - Team Player's driver Paul
Tracy set the pace in the first qualifying session of the second consecutive
Canadian stop of the 2003 Champ Car World Series. For his effort, the Canadian
driver took the provisional pole, earning another championship point and a
guaranteed spot on the front row for Sunday's Molson Indy
Vancouver.
Racing on the 1.781 mile temporary street course, Tracy clocked a hot lap of one
minute, 1.706 seconds (167.219 km/hour). With only two minutes remaining in the
session, Bruno Junquiera squeaked by his teammate Sebastien Bourdain to take the
second spot, clocking a fast lap of one minute, 1.845 seconds (166.844 km/hour),
a scant 0.76 seconds ahead of Jourdain's time of one minute, 1.921 seconds
(166.639 km/hour).
Canadian Alex Tagliani had the fourth fastest time, of one
minute, 2.032 seconds (166.341 km/hour). Tracy's Team Player's teammate Patrick
Carpentier also qualified in the top ten, his fast lap time of one minute, 2.348
seconds (165.833) earning him the eighth spot.
"It's very important in Vancouver to set the fastest time in Friday
qualifying," said Tracy, who currently leads the point standings with a
15-point lead over his closest competition. "This gives us the leeway in
the second qualifying. Team Player's can now either concentrate on race set up
or save tires for the race. But, I think that we will attack again, and I hope
we can get into a good rhythm for the second session, and get more laps in, as
well. The red flag threw everything out of whack, and at the end it was
difficult to get a quick lap."