(101,084 bytes)won this race
last year driving for the Target/Chip Ganassi Team, but has rejoined Newman/Haas Racing
for the 1995 season, driving a Kmart/Caltex Halvoline Lola Ford Cosworth.
Michael Andretti continued to show the form which won him the pole in Miami, Florida
two weeks ago by setting the pace in both the unofficial morning practice session and
provisional afternoon qualifying session at the IndyCar Australia in Surfers Paradise
yesterday (March 17th). Andretti was the quickest by more than half a second this
afternoon as he firmly established himself as the pre-race favourite to win Sunday's PPG
IndyCar World Series event through the streets of Surfers Paradise. Andretti (101,084 bytes)won this race
last year driving for the Target/Chip Ganassi Team, but has rejoined Newman/Haas Racing
for the 1995 season, driving a Kmart/Caltex Halvoline Lola Ford Cosworth.
"We were really looking forward to coming down here" commented Andretti, "because we had done a lot of testing of low-downforce street circuit set ups. We were pretty confident we would have a good set-up for this track. It was a bit slippery today and I think everyone will improve tomorrow if the track gets better."
The provisional pole setter wasn't entirely pleased with his car today. "It didn't feel that good but we were the quickest so I guess everyone is fighting the racetrack a little bit," noted Andretti. "We made some changes to set-up on my second set of tires and it was quicker but it wasn't better. So we've still got some work to do."
An impressive second fastest today was Brazilian rookie Gil de Ferran in the Pennzoil Reynard Mercedes-Benz. De Ferran qualified third in Miami two weeks ago but was an early retirement from the race because of transmission problems.
"We also did a lot of testing for this type of low downforce street circuit," commented de Ferran. "Relatively speaking this circuit is no more difficult than Miami and right now I have to improve myself. I'm definitely not one hundred percent with this circuit."
Third fastest today was Paul Tracy in the Newman/Haas Kmart-Budweiser entry. Tracy
was just under three-quarters of a second slower than his team mate but was encouraged to
find a minor engine problem after qualifying. 
38,102 bytes Tracy kept his nose clean today in contrast to
his rough weekend in Miami two weeks ago.
Fourth fastest yesterday was Mauricio Gugelmin who was an impressive second in Miami. Since the PPG Cup season-opener in Florida, Gufelmin has signed a new two-year sponsorship contract with Hollywood cigarettes. Qualifying fifth today was Jacques Villeneuve, winner in Miami two weeks ago and current PPG Cup points leader. Rounding out the top ten were Teo Fabi, Emerson Fittipaldi, Bobby Rahal, Al Unser Jr and Eddy Cheever.
Twenty-six drivers practised today and all are expected to make qualifying runs tomorrow in the final qualifying session for Sunday's IndyCar Australia here in Surfer's Paradise.
