Rookie pair learning their way

Word here in the Portland paddock is that rookie Michael Valiante and his rookie race engineer Kyle Brannen are still feeling their way at Portland. It is only Valiante's second Champ Car race and most of Brannen's experience comes from Toyota Atlantic where he was a top engineer. The two have never worked together, let alone on a Champ Car so they have yet to hit upon a good setup on the Dale Coyne Lola.

We also hear that Valiante (right) is hopeful he will keep the ride for the rest of the season, but that has not been decided yet. This weekend is a tryout of sorts we suspect. If he does stay, Valiante will need a new engineer in Cleveland as Brannen has commitments in Grand-Am after this. It is possible that Sperafico's new engineer, Brian Ma, could engineer both of Coyne's cars, but that is far from an ideal situation.

As with young Hunter-Reay, it's important for young Valiante to have the right support structure around them to succeed. Although Champ Car currently has four Canadian drivers, that could change in the wink of an eye with Andrew Ranger eyeing F1 and Paul Tracy eyeing NASCAR. With three important races in Canada, Champ Car needs Canadian drivers running up near the front and contending for podium positions. Ditto of course for all countries Champ Car races in, but Canada, the USA and Mexico are strategic markets.