TEAM REPORTS (TAUPO, NZ.) - A1 TEAM USA's Summerton 5th in practice at Taupo

A1 TEAM USA's Jonathan Summerton had the fifth fastest lap in practice Friday in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport at Taupo, New Zealand.

"The practice went well," Summerton said. "It was fun to go fast and we got plenty of work done for qualifying and the races. The car was pretty good from the start and we were able to make it better. We were fastest at the end of the practice on worn tires and that makes us feel good, too.

"The 'We the People' car was really good, but we still have some room to make it better. I am looking forward to a good weekend and I am feeling really confident."

Summerton had a best lap of 1:16.000 on the 2.17-mile circuit. The 19-year-old from Kissimmee, Fla., completed 26 laps in the one-hour session.

Charlie Kimball of Camarillo, Calif., opened the weekend for A1 TEAM USA by running the 10th fastest lap at 1:17.999 in the two 25-minute all-rookie practices. Kimball was 13th in the first session at 1:19.495 and ninth in the second. He completed 31 laps.

"I had a good, solid run this morning," Kimball said. "The track was a bit dusty to start with, but that was largely irrelevant as I was bedding brakes. As the track gripped up, I really started to enjoy the flowing connected sections of the circuit. The 'We the People' car wasn't perfect, but I think I gave the team some good information so that Jonathan had a better car to start with in the afternoon. I once again enjoyed being a part of A1 TEAM USA."

Qualifying is Saturday. A one-hour practice precedes the four 15-minute qualifying sessions, two each for the Sprint and Feature races. The 20-minute Sprint and 70-minute Feature are Sunday.

"We're off to an interesting start in the Land of Oz, " A1 TEAM USA owner Rick Weidinger said. "I am cautiously optimistic about the race weekend. It's the highest we've been in practice this season and it appears our crew is really connected and well managed in their first day of practice in Taupo.

"Marc Lawrence, our new Team Manager, has already made a difference in team meetings and briefings, but we still have much more to accomplish. We need to move up a few more positions in qualifying and then we'll be in great shape for the Sprint and Feature races. Although admittedly we are off to a slow start this season, we have not wavered one bit on our goals--top-five finishes in every race. We are building on consistency now."

For more information on A1 TEAM USA, visit www.A1TEAMUSATV.com. For more information on A1GP, visit www.A1GP.com.. Live streaming of the Sprint and Feature races are available at A1GP.com.