Edmonton: Tim Bridgman race notes

TOP TEN FINISH IN ATLANTIC'S EDMONTON ROUND FOR BRIDGMAN

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada - 24 July 2006: Briton Tim Bridgman had his best result of his Champ Car Atlantic rookie season at Edmonton's temporary circuit held at the JAGflo Speedway at City Centre Airport on Sunday.

Racing in round eight of the Championship at the officially titled 'West Edmonton Mall Grand Prix Presented by The Brick Atlantic race', the Essex driver said he was pleased to finish eighth and claim 41 more championship points in the hugely competitive series. He took his number 2 Epson Team Jensen car around the 36-lap race in some 42 minutes before an audience of nearly 64,000 spectators.

"We were four tenths off P1 in qualifying; it was a different session to others we have had this year as the temperature was over 100 degrees [Fahrenheit - 37 degrees Celsius. The high grip track surface made quali like a superpole session and the new tyres were good for one lap so there was very small window to get a time," analysed Bridgman, who started from 10th in the race.

"I knew from practice I had the pace to be further up the field as we had a good package so it's a respectable result to bring it home in eighth. The team did a great job and we're aiming to build on this for San Jose; I believe we developed our street package very well in Toronto so we should be strong this weekend," he added.

Following two Canadian outings, the forthcoming race sees the Atlantic series returning to California for the 2006 Canary Foundation Grand Prix of San Jose Presented by Taylor Woodrow.

-www.timbridgman.co.uk