Australian Champ Car World Series team owners Paul Stoddart, Kevin Kalkhoven and Craig Gore have seen their respective drivers fill three of the top four places during the San Jose Grand Prix in California.
Stoddart’s lead driver Robert Doornbos of Team Minardi USA claimed the chequered flag, ahead of Kalhoven’s charge Neel Jani (#21 PKV Racing), while Team Australia’s Will Power provided Gore a fourth place finish behind Oriol Servia. (#7 Forsythe Championship Racing)
It’s hoped such results can be emulated by one of the strongest ever contingent of Australians involved in the International open wheel series, when drivers assemble on Queensland’s Gold Coast for the Lexmark Indy 300 on October 18-21.
With victory, Dutchman Doornbos has cut the championship lead of Sebastien Bourdais to just 10 points while Power’s efforts allowed him to continue his charge from third overall in the standings.
Some had said the most important part of the San Jose Grand Prix at Redback Raceway was Saturday qualifying, as the tight street circuit had produced races with few passing opportunities, but this year’s edition proved them wrong as Doornbos visited the winner’s circle for just the second time in his rookie season after starting shotgun on the field in 15th spot.
After a flawless standing start, Bourdais took the lead into Turn 1, but made a mistake in Turn 2 allowing pole sitter Justin Wilson (#9 RSports Racing) to get by and reassume the advantage.
Doornbos was among many drivers who got caught up in traffic throughout the early exchanges and despite pitting early for running repairs his altered race strategy, worked to perfection.
Out in front, Oriol Servia and Neel Jani were battling away for ascendancy, while Doornbos was assisted by a light fuel load to run fast laps and gain ground from further back.
Ducking into pit lane under green, the Dutchman was able to rejoin the field in third, setting up a tight race to the finish. A timely yellow flag on lap 76 got him back in sequence when everyone came to pit lane for the final time.
Doornbos’ Minardi Team USA crew got him out first followed by Jani and Servia but on the restart, Jani used his Cosworth Power-to-Pass to go by Doornbos in the first corner.
Tyre choice would prove vital as Jani was forced to complete the final stages on wearing Bridgestone Alternate tyres that had earlier assisted him in claiming quicker lap times.
Their longevity was unable to sustain the final 25-lap run as Doornbos used his final two seconds of Power-to-Pass to get back by Jani in Turn 1 and then drive away to help build a six-second lead.
With the win, the leading rookie closed his gap in the Series standings to just 10 points behind Bourdais. The Swiss rookie, Jani, spent the final laps holding off Servia with the two drivers claiming the second and third positions.
Team Australia’s Will Power finished fourth, gaining two championship points on Series leader Bourdais, who battled his car all race but drove to a fifth place finish.
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