CHAMPCAR/CART: PPI Gold Coast final qualifying notes

Oriol Servià , #96 Telefónica/Toyota-Reynard
Qualified: 14th "We improved six positions from yesterday, so I am happy about that, but I would be really happy if it were a bit higher. Not many others improved on their times, I was a little surprised about that. Today, we didn't take any chances with the possibility of a red and checker at the end, so we put fresh tires on early, maybe too early, but at least we were able to take advantage of them, and get in some good laps under green."

"I think I will have a very good race car. This is a tough track to pass on, so our race strategy will be imperative, and I am sure my guys will do a good job with that."

Cristiano da Matta , #97 Pioneer Electronics/WorldCom/Toyota-Reynard
Qualified: 10th "This was the worst qualifying session I have seen since I started racing, with all of the red flags. I was only able to complete one lap on my first set of tires, and then two laps on my second set. I was never able to get them up to temperature. We didn't improve our time today, and that was disappointing, because I thought we would for sure after the changes we made last night. This weekend has been frustrating, because I still don't feel like I have a perfect reading on my car, because I haven't been able to get in a consistent amount of laps, with all of the red flags and weather. It is really frustrating to come this far, and then not even be able to get very much green time."

"I have a lot of good starters in front of me in the line, Helio, Paul, they are good starters. We will have to have a clean race, with very good stops in order to finish on top, and obviously that will be our goal. I look forward to it."