Team Australia driver Will Power has set the fastest time in practice for the Rexall Edmonton Indy in Edmonton, Canada today.

Power is one of the favourites for this weekend’s event, which for the past three seasons has been a round of the Champ Car World Series.

Power won the pole position at Edmonton last season and was in a commanding position in the race until a steering rack failure ruled him out of the race.

This year Edmonton has been added to the 2008 IndyCar Series schedule and Power, who finished fourth last weekend on the road course at Mid-Ohio, is one of eight drivers with previous experience at Edmonton.

Power was third fastest in first practice in the #8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia entry, before setting the fastest time in the final practice session of the day.

Tomorrow will see final practice held before Power, who hails from Toowoomba in Queensland, will defend his Edmonton pole position in PEAK Motor Oil pole qualifying.

It was a sensational opening day for KV Racing Technology, with Power’s KVRT team-mate Oriol Servia second fastest ahead of the Penske pair of Helio Castroneves and Mid-Ohio winner Ryan Briscoe.

WHAT THE TEAM HAD TO SAY …

Will Power: #8 Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone

“It was obviously a day to get used to the set-up of (an IndyCar Series car),” said Power.

“It’s much different than a Champ Car. The team’s done a great job and we arrived here with a reasonable set-up. We definitely improved it after the first session. I think we’re in a much better position than we were last week at this time.

“It would be nice if we could repeat this in qualifying with another 1-2. We’re looking for a solid result to get some solid points, since we can’t perform this well on the ovals.

“It was dusty this morning, but as the weekend goes on, the track does grip up. It’s dusty off-line, but for qualifying, I think it will be rubbered up.

“The track is a little slippery. It’s a combination of guys learning the circuit, going off and bringing some dirt onto the track and having a harder compound tyre compared to last year, which makes it a little more slippery.

“I am really happy with the way the Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia car handled today.

“It was very difficult to get a lap. There was a lot of traffic and a lot of caution flags. A lot of people were going off, which I think is because there are no consequences or wall to run into.

“The key to going fast here is you need to have a good car, drive smart, and attack at the right time.

“We had a good day today, but we have to keep improving because the top teams will definitely be faster tomorrow.”

Craig Gore: Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia

“Superb effort by Will and the entire Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia crew today,” said Power.

“All year Will has been up against it, running at tracks he has never seen before against drivers with a lot of experience.

“Finally, when we come to Edmonton, Will has a couple of races up his sleeve around this circuit. He’s showing that he’s one of the top drivers out there on the road and street tracks and he’s almost there on the ovals as well.

“After today everyone will have learned the track so it’s game on, but Will has shown all year that he’s got what it takes. We all know that Will is an ace in qualifying and it’s going to be a great race.”

RESULTS: Practice
1. #8 Will Power 1:02.3404
2. #5 Oriol Servia 1:02.3900
3. #3 Helio Castroneves 1:02.5365
4. #6 Ryan Briscoe 1:02.5831
5. #02 Justin Wilson 1:02.6220
6. #9 Scott Dixon 1:02.6685
7. #11 Tony Kanaan 1:02.6806
8. #22 Paul Tracy 1:02.6933
9. #06 Graham Rahal 1:02.7528
10. #18 Bruno Junqueira 1:02.8760