Team Rahal the team to beat

Papis set the fastest lap of the two day test at 209.907mph in the closing moments of the day.

"Our work here went very well," said Papis.

"We evaluated a lot of things, and worked on getting a good race set-up. Unfortunately we had some transmission problems in the afternoon which stopped a long run.

"It's been a good test considering I haven't been in the car that much. And Ford has done a great job with the engine.

"In all, it's very encouraging."

Kenny Brack, who joined Papis at Team Rahal from the Indy Racing League, was also on the pace throughout the two day test in the Reynard-Ford.

"We have worked through a lot of race stuff," said the Swede, "and we've been fast when we want to be.

"I don't necessarily think it's an accurate reading of what the positions will be when we come for the race, because everyone has been working through a different programme. But, so far so good."

Michael Andretti made it three Ford cars in the top three, setting a lap at 208.033mph in the Newman-Haas Lola.

"Everything went well in terms of feel and speed. We didn't run new tyres at the end, so we may have got closer to Max.

"But we ran on full tanks and we ran on empty, and the car was good an responded well to everything we did. I'm very excited about this year."

Jimmy Vasser set fourth quickest time in the Ganassi Lola-Toyota, with team mate and reigning champion Juan Montoya in sixth, sandwiching the second Newman-Haas Lola of Christian Fittipaldi.

Gil de Ferran ended up as fastest Honda powered car with his Penske Reynard in 10th place, and Mark Blundell was best of the Mercedes cars in the PacWest Reynard in 13th.

Dario Franchitti dropped to 19th overall as the Scot continued to recover in hospital from his accident on Wednesday afternoon.

The first round of the CART FedEX World Series takes place at Homestead on March 26.