Ganassi drivers test for Indy 500

Vasser drove his Target-liveried G-Force Aurora on the 1.5 mile Las Vegas oval, unfortunately, for only 10 laps before a fuel pressure problem intervened.

"We're just running a few laps, trying to get some colour in the exhaust pipes, you know, get familiar with the car," Vasser said.

"Then, we'll go home and sort things out. We just want to familiarize ourselves with the car and get some air-free miles on it.

"It's good that little things like this (fuel pressure problem) are happening to the car, so we can put our own little reliability things to it to make sure we're ready to go for the 500."

Despite his short stint at the wheel of the G-Force car, Vasser was able to form an opinion of the rival series' machinery in relation to his usual Lola Champ Car with a Toyota turbo engine.

"There are a lot more similarities between the two cars than differences," Vasser said.

"The one difference I do feel is that the power response is not as much (on the Indy Racing car), but I know it has a little more drag and downforce as well. That could have something to do with it. The chassis actually feels fairly similar."

However, reigning CART champion Montoya did not share his team mate's opinion of the similarity of the cars,when he drove the machine the day after Vasser had. The Columbian pointed to the normally aspirated engine in the IRL car as the major difference.

"It's completely different from what I expected," Montoya said. "Running an aspirated engine makes a big difference. "They are just two different engines, you know. They are different from what we run. It's a completely different car, and there's no point of comparing one or the other." Montoya tested the G-Force in windy condidtions at the Las Vegas track.

Ganassi will this year be the only full time CART team to tackle the '500, but both drivers are looking forward to the experience.

"I think the race, running 500 miles, is going to be very interesting," Montoya said. "When we get there, I'm sure it's going to be a lot of fun."

The team tested on Wednesday and Thursday.