Power looking emulate Aussie success.

Team Australia has one last chance to shine before its home event on the streets of Surfers Paradise in October, and Will Power is already counting on the Aussie success rate at Assen as a good omen.

Power had strong car speed in the first half of Champ Car's double-header at Zolder last weekend, qualifying on the front row of the grid, but only finishing fourth after a tactical race saw him shuffled out of the top three.
This weekend, therefore, takes on greater significance, as, with his championship chances all but extinguished - both by Sebastien Bourdais' success in Belgium and the cancellation of the series' Phoenix finale - Power looks for a third win of the year to help him overtake local favourite Robert Doornbos and reclaim second in the championship standings before his home race.

Assen may be a new venue for Champ Car, but has played host to great Australian successes in two-wheeled sport over the years. Motorcycle racing legend Mick Doohan took five consecutive victories at Assen in the premier 500cc class between 1994-98, while fellow countryman Wayne Gardner also claimed victory for Australia at Assen with wins in 1986 and 1988.

That success continued into the 2007 season, with Chris Vermeulen taking pole for the MotoGP event, and Casey Stoner taking second place after a stirring battle with eventual winner Valentino Rossi. Before switching to MotoGP, Vermeulen was a three-time race winner on the World Superbike package at Assen, with Troy Bayliss a double race winner at Assen, including this season, giving Power something to live up to.

"I am really looking forward to carrying our speed into Assen," the driver said, "The Aussie Vineyards car has been so quick and we had a great, mistake-free, race last weekend, but I just wish we could have brought back better results.

"We can do it this time around. I've never been to this circuit before, but from [team-mate] Simon [Pagenaud]'s experience there, and as great as the car has been, I hope to bring Team Australia a podium this time. We are well overdue."

Team co-owner Craig Gore would like nothing more than to return to Australia with a successful foray to Europe under his belt.

"This is our last race before the Gold Coast event, so I'm sure the entire team would love to get a good result on the board in Assen to give us momentum for Surfers Paradise," he said, "Will closed the gap on second in the championship at the last race, and there is no reason he cannot overtake Doornbos at Assen.

"The team gave Will a great car at Zolder and the aim will be for us to get another front row start this weekend. Simon has experience around Assen, so Will and the team will no doubt be speaking with him and learning about the circuit., although it would be great for Simon to get his first Champ Car podium in Holland too."