Cleveland: Tim Bridgeman race one, two notes

BRIDGMAN DRIVES TO BONUS POINTS IN CLEVELAND Cleveland, Ohio, USA-27 June 2006: Tim Bridgman had a mixed weekend at the Champ Car Atlantic double-header in Cleveland: he increased his Championship points in race one by making up the most places ...

BRIDGMAN DRIVES TO BONUS POINTS IN CLEVELAND

Cleveland, Ohio, USA-27 June 2006: Tim Bridgman had a mixed weekend at the Champ Car Atlantic double-header in Cleveland: he increased his Championship points in race one by making up the most places - 19th to 12th - and then finished 20th in race two after pitting to change a nose cone following contact during the race.

Nonetheless the Essex-born Briton said he enjoyed racing on the airport course: "We made up some good places in the first race, it reinforces that we can race well and gain positions," he said. "And while we weren't quite on the pace all weekend, the circuit was definitely decent fun to drive. Considering we were racing at an airport it was great, it's just a shame we didn't find the grip to carry the speed."

Next for the Montreal-based driver is Toronto, which is, in a way, one of three Canadian 'home' races on the North American race calendar for Bridgman, the others being in Montreal and Edmonton. "We're heading back to the streets, which should be good. Lack of pace has spurred us on to get everything sorted for Toronto and get back up to the sharp-end of the field," he said. "We had an ok weekend in Portland with a top ten finish in the points, so we're looking to regain that momentum."

Race two in Cleveland marked the mid-point of the season and with six rounds to run the Epson Team Jensen driver now sits mid-field out of the 37-strong competitors who have entered the Champ Car Atlantic Championship.