Robert kicks off with P6

Surfers Paradise, Australia (October 19, 2007) – It was the first day on track at the beautiful Surfers Paradise circuit and Minardi Team USA drivers Robert Doornbos and ‘Speedy’ Dan Clarke were glad to be behind the wheel of their DP01s again for the first time in several weeks. With a messy qualifying session for some of their competitors, Robert and Dan ended up sixth and eleventh, respectively.

Doornbos sits third in the Championship, and is just five points behind second place Justin Wilson. At this stage, the goal is to move back second in overall standings, as first place in the Championship is mathematically impossible. For a rookie driver to accomplish so much, including two victories, is undoubtedly a success in its own right. For Robert, he attacks each race weekend with a refreshing gusto, and for sure the young Dutchman has a lot of fight left in him. As has been the case all season, every circuit on the Champ Car World Series schedule this year is new to Robert, and he has never turned a lap around the difficult 2.795 mile street course. He fared well today, and is currently sixth on the grid after the first of two qualifications.

ROBERT DOORNBOS: “I am happy to be back in the office that is my Champ Car, and what a great place to visit after the break. All around, this event is very exciting, and it is a challenging circuit that is enjoyable to drive. We are working very hard to find the right set-up, and we’re making improvements. Being in the top six today is not too bad, not the worst or the best way to start, but we’ll have another chance tomorrow.”

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