Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia driver Will Power has made his intentions clear on day one of the of 2008 Nikon Indy 300, smashing the opposition in the first two practice sessions of the weekend on the streets of Surfers Paradise in Queensland, Australia today.

The local hero was over a second quicker than the next best car of Helio Castroneves in second practice today, showing that while it is only the opening day of proceedings around the 4.498km/2.795 mile street circuit, Power is in red hot form for his and Team Australia’s home event.

Power drove a set of scintillating laps in front of a huge and parochial Aussie crowd, setting a time of 1min34.8084secs in the #8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia IndyCar. Castroneves’ best time was a 1min36.1609secs, a massive gap in the hugely-competitive IndyCar Series field.

In first practice earlier this morning Power was also fastest, two tenths of a second faster than Justin Wilson.

Power is confident that there is more time and improvement to be found in his Aussie Vineyards machine, but was also quick to point out that it is early days and that Sunday is the day that matters most.

Power’s KV Racing Technology team-mate Oriol Servia, who is joining Power in the colours of Aussie Vineyards and Team Australia this weekend, was also right on the pace on the Gold Coast today.

The Spaniard was fourth fastest in the second practice session of the day, a strong recovery after contact with a barrier cut short his run in opening practice, where he was eighth fastest.

Final practice and qualifying will be held tomorrow, before the 18th running of the Nikon Indy 300 is staged on Sunday.

WHAT THE TEAM HAD TO SAY …

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

“It was a very good day for the our whole KV Racing Technology team and the Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia car was good right out of the box,” said Power.

“It’s still early and qualifying isn’t until tomorrow.

“That and Sunday are all that matter to me. I am glad we are quick, but we still need to improve the car a bit tonight.

“This is a very competitive field and we will have to be faster tomorrow.”

Further Will Power quotes are available from the audio grabs on this media release

Oriol Servia: #5 Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone

“It seems like the #5 KV Racing Technology – Team Australia car is good shape,” said Servia.

“Will (team-mate Will Power) showed the speed that the car has, which is very good.

“I hurt my chances by crashing in the first practice, so am a little behind on the laps. But, the crew did a great job getting the car back together and I really want to thank them.

“Also, I know, and really like, this track, so I am confident we are going to get back to the top.”

Craig Gore: Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia

“Great effort by Will today,” said Gore.

“He is looking very relaxed and knows that the job is still ahead of him. His lap times today were incredible, but we’ve been here before.

“The Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia car looks great out there on the track and it was very good to get here to the track today to see Will set that time in practice.

“A great start, but qualifying and the race are where it counts.”

RESULTS: Practice 2
1. #8 Will Power 1:34.8084
2. #3 Helio Castroneves 1:36.1609
3. #10 Dario Franchitti 1:36.1712
4. #5 Oriol Servia 1:36.4394
5. #06 Graham Rahal 1:36.4963
6. #02 Justin Wilson 1:36.5127
7. #9 Scott Dixon 1:36.5812
8. #17 Ryan Hunter-Reay 1:36.8863
9. #6 Ryan Briscoe 1:37.5183
10. #11 Tony Kanaan 1:37.5485

RESULTS: Practice 1
1. #8 Will Power 1:36.3391
2. #02 Justin Wilson 1:36.5607
3. #10 Dario Franchitti 1:36.9904
4. #9 Scott Dixon 1:37.0052
5. #36 Alex Tagliani 1:37.0625
6. #11 Tony Kanaan 1:37.0650
7. #18 Bruno Junqueira 1:37.3127
8. #5 Oriol Servia 1:37.4146
9. #6 Ryan Briscoe 1:37.5896
10. #06 Graham Rahal 1:37.6370