---

Indy Lights: Bright on Provisional Outside Pole at Portland

24 June 2000

        PORTLAND, Ore (June 23, 2000) - - Bright, sunny skies and 81
degrees (F) offered a comfortable but warm setting for Indy Lights
provisional qualifying at Portland International Raceway, Friday, June 23.
A slight breeze was blowing to the southeast but it didn't quell track
temperatures that rose to 123 degrees (F) by the session's start at 1:00
p.m. (PT).

        When the 30-minute session concluded, Dorricott Racing had a driver
in each of the first three rows. Jason Bright, of Gold Coast, Australia,
claimed outside pole honors. Casey Mears, of Bakersfield, Calif., slipped
into row two with the fourth fastest time while fellow Californian Townsend
Bell provisionally lined up behind Mears in row three with the sixth
quickest lap. Ireland’s Jonny Kane earned the provisional pole with an Indy
Lights track record time of 1:05.647 = 107.978 mph. 

        The session was blemished for Mears and Bell, however, due to
gremlins in their gear systems. Both drivers experienced gear malfunctions
which cost them time and speed. Bell was forced to retire from the session
with 10 minutes remaining.

        "We had gearbox problems that hurt my times," said Mears. "The
gearbox kept popping out of second gear. I felt it in practice but we
didn't find the problem. I was losing my second gear throughout
qualifying."

        Bright's problem was more pronounced as his gear lever literally
broke as he was attempting to shift from first to second gear.

        "The gear lever broke apart in my hand in the Festival Corners,"
said Bell. "I was entering the first big right-hand corner when it
happened. I moved the 'nub' of the shifter into second gear and limped to
the pits. There wasn't enough time in the session to make repairs. It's
unfortunate considering my best time really wasn't a good lap. My car was
capable of being second or third fastest today or win the pole but you have
to be able to shift gears."

        Two cautions stole qualifying time but no injuries resulted. The
first red flag was issued six minutes into the session when Geoff Boss spun
off-course in turn 11 of the 12-turn 1.969 mile road circuit.

        Mears held the fastest time on the first red flag at 1:06.191 =
107.090 mph. Bell was fractions behind in second place at 1:06.311 =
106.896 mph. Bright was still building to speed and stood 11th at 1:06.543
= 106.524 mph.

        Mears slipped to second overall at the session's midway point and
Bell had moved to third albeit his time improved to 1:06.200 = 107.076 mph.
Bright was moving on the front-runners in fourth at 1:06.543 = 106.524 mph.

        A second red flag was issued with one minute remaining in the
session when Tony Renna spun and lightly struck the tire wall in turn four.

        "The track was very greasy compared to when we tested here in
April," said Bright. "The car is just as good as when we tested. A lot
depends on whom we follow on the track schedule Saturday. We'll likely be
slower if we follow a NASCAR session."