Perera on top on Atlantics debut

The Frenchman turned a lap of 1:16.634 for Condor Motorsports to pip Raphael Matos by 0.05 seconds around the 2.238-mile Californian circuit

Afterwards Perera commented: "Yes, I was surprised to be on the pace so quick. First time in this car, first time at this track - first time in the USA, actually. So to switch from GP2 to this and be fastest of all is good for me, but also shows how good the team is.

"I don't yet know if I'll be doing the season here, but I want to make my career in the States. My friend Simon Pagenaud won this Atlantic title and will be in Champ Car this year, and if there is no chance of Champ Car for me this year, then maybe Atlantics is the best way to go. For sure I want to be the next Sebastien Bourdais!"

Matos's Sierra Sierra Enterprises machine was a full half second quicker than the next quickest car, and he was relatively happy.

He commented: "I think there are a couple of improvements we need to make to the car, but anyway, I don't know how important this track is for us. I think the data we get here will be useful for maybe Edmonton and St Jovite, but that's it.

"On the other hand, I think it's good here in that Houston was a mess for us - for a lot of teams actually - and Sebring is too easy. You don't see the differences between a good driver and a not-so-good driver."

Both Perera and Matos unofficially broke the Atlantic record around the Laguna Seca course, which has been held by AJ Allmendinger since 2003 with a 1:16.984.

Giacomo Ricci, who has taken over the Conquest Racing entry with which Graham Rahal won five races last season, was third, while Britain's Ryan Lewis, who takes over the Walker Racing entry from '06 champion Pagenaud, wound up seventh in the combined times from this morning and afternoon sessions

JR Hildebrand, driving for Newman Wachs Racing, was slightly frustrated by a day in which he ended up just 12th quickest.

"I think we're making headway, but I don't know if we're making big enough changes. It's like we're hovering around where the car should be, and I know if we just found one improvement, around a track like this we could pick up a tenth in every corner.

"On the plus side, we seem to be the most consistent team out there. We can turn in this pace every lap."

James Hinchcliffe, the second Sierra Sierra driver struggled, completing only 14 laps compared to the pacesetters' 50-plus.

"First of all the skid plate fell off. Then our pitlane speed limiter stuck on. When we did get going the car was way too loose, so I spun off and knocked another skidplate off!"

Pos  Driver                Team                          Time   
 1.  Franck Perera         Condor Motorsports           1:16.634
 2.  Raphael Matos         Sierra Sierra Enterprises     + 0.050
 3.  Giacomo Ricci         Conquest Racing               + 0.483
 4.  David Garza           US Racetronics                + 0.581
 5.  Robert Wickens        Forsythe Championship Racing  + 0.609
 6.  Jonathan Bomarito     PR1 Motorsports               + 0.610
 7.  Ryan Lewis            Walker Racing                 + 0.678
 8.  John Edwards          Forsythe Championship Racing  + 0.747
 9.  Jonathan Summerton    Brooks Associates Racing      + 0.844
10.  Carl Skerlong         US Racetronics                + 0.932
11.  Adrian Carrio         Genoa Racing                  + 0.997
12.  JR Hildebrand         Newman Wachs Racing           + 1.027
13.  Matt Lee              Conquest Racing               + 1.068
14.  Simona de Silvestro   Walker Racing                 + 1.103
15.  Justin Sofio          Mathiasen Motorsports         + 1.117
16.  Adrien Herberts       Paladin Motorsports           + 1.362
17.  James Hinchcliffe     Sierra Sierra Enterprises     + 1.379
18.  Tom Sutherland        Jensen MotorSport             + 1.987
19.  Dane Cameron Polestar Racing Group                  + 2.060
20.  Brian Thienes         Condor Motorsports            + 2.124
21.  Frankie Muniz         Jensen MotorSport             + 2.385
22.  Mike Forest           PR1 Motorsports               + 2.574
23.  Dominick Muermans     Jensen MotorSport             + 3.036