TEAM REPORTS (TORONTO, CDN.) - Hinchcliffe Tops Sebring Pre-Season Test

James Hinchcliffe's reunion with Forsythe Championship Racing produced results instantly as the 21-year-old Toronto racer topped the timesheets at Sebring International Raceway during the first two days of official pre-season testing, Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th February, ahead of the 2008 Cooper Tires Presents The Champ Car Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda.

Having made his debut in Atlantic competition with Forsythe Championship Racing back in 2006, scoring a maiden victory in Portland along the way, Hinchcliffe returned to the fold last month to pilot the #3 Swift Mazda-Cosworth for the Indianapolis-based team. The Canadian's return to Forsythe followed a highly competitive 2007 season in the category with James collecting five podiums, three pole positions and the prestigious Gilles Villeneuve Award on the way to fourth overall in the Driver Standings.

Happy to be back in action Hinchcliffe wasted little time in showcasing his credentials on Tuesday as testing started at the 1.669-mile Florida road circuit. In a 24-strong field that included an impressive blend of rookies and returnees, James recorded a total of 111 laps and powered his way to the top of the timesheets courtesy of a hot lap of 57.449s (104.587mph).

Wednesday's outing proved to be equally successful for Hinchcliffe and the Forsythe Championship Racing crew. Proving they weren't about to rest on their laurels both team and driver set to work improving upon the previous day's best lap time and they showed they meant business. James once again delivered the goods to sit P1 at the end of the test courtesy of a flying lap of 57.366s (104.738mph), the Ontario-native trumping his new team-mate, Mexico's David Garza, to the top spot after a competitive test for both Forsythe entries.

"I'm really excited about the new season," stated Hinchcliffe after the test. "Being back with Forsythe Championship Racing feels great, it feels like I'm back home to be honest. John Brunner's put together a really strong team for this year and everyone's really getting along well and working well together which is ultimately key to being quick and enjoying success on-track! Pre-season testing has gone really well for us but until you're stacked up against all the other cars it's hard to judge exactly where you're at.

"We were a little apprehensive before Sebring but cautiously optimistic at the same time. We all performed really well over the two day test with David (Garza) and I enjoying running at the front throughout. It's a good feeling to know that all the work and preparation you've done over the pre-season is starting to pay off! Obviously it's a confidence boost for us to be at the top of the charts but it doesn't win us any points and we don't race at Sebring. It's a good start but the proof will be when we start racing at Long Beach in April!"

California's Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca hosts official 'Spring Training' for the Champ Car Atlantic Championship field next month, Monday 10th - Tuesday 11th March with a final outing at MSR Houston later that month. Round 1 at Long Beach, California kicks off on Sunday 20th April.