Team Australia s Will Power has become the first Australian to win a round of the Champ Car World Series after clinching the Las Vegas Grand Prix in Nevada this morning. Power, who started from pole, dominated the race in his Aussie Vineyards-backed machine to clinch the win from Dutch rookie Robert Doornbos and Champ Car veteran Paul Tracy.
Other former Australian podium winners have included Geoff Brabham and former F1 world champion Alan Jones, but Power, who won last year s Rookie of the Year title, is the first Australian to stand on the top step. Power was born and bred in Toowoomba, Queensland, and currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana, close to the team.
Team Australia is owned by Queensland businessman Craig Gore and US racing legend Derrick Walker. Power basically took up from where he left off last year s championship.
He claimed pole in the penultimate round of last year s title chase at his home race on the streets of Queensland s Gold Coast and then clinched his first podium finish in the last race of the year in Mexico City. He claimed the pole for today s race by almost a second from his nearest rival and, despite losing the lead on the opening lap to Tracy, ran a fast and trouble-free race under a perfect strategy prepared by Walker.
Defending champion and Power s main rival for this year s title, Sebastien Bourdais, crashed out on lap 30 of the 68-lap race. Power s team-mate Simon Pagenaud also showed good speed throughout the weekend and looked a top three threat before he suffered engine problems and withdrew after 47 laps.
The next round of the championship is in Long Beach, California next weekend.
WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY ...
Will Power - #5 Aussie Vineyards Team Australia DP01
“It feels really good, ” said Power.
“The only issue I had was a really long brake pedal at the end of the race. But we had an 18-second lead, so we just brought it home and brought Derrick Walker his first win since 99. It s his birthday. So a pole and a win, I think that s a pretty good present for him.
“We also brought Craig Gore his first Champ Car win as a team owner and that is something pretty special.
“Craig is a passionate Australian and he has worked so hard for three years to get us into the position we are in today. I am proud to be the first Australian to win one of these races and there have been a few guys try over the years.
“It is also a great result for Aussie Vineyards and the rest of our sponsors who have become a part of the Team Australia program.
“This is the first of a long marathon because we really want to win this championship.
“I lost the start to Paul. I was a bit worried about it because we were on the dusty side of the track.
“I was sort of expecting to get wheel-spin, and he got me there. Then he made a bit of a mistake in the chicane. I got a good run on him with power-to-pass and passed him.
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