Higgins takes Indy Lights pole in Mexcio

Higgins has spent much of his career racing in Mexico and this is the veteran's first pole position after two and a half seasons in the Champ Car feeder championship. Sunday's race will be his 32nd series start.

The 32-year-old was the class of the field during practice and qualifying on the newly-completed Fundidora Park circuit and gave his Mexican-backed Mexpro Racing a taste of home glory after five different drivers had made a temporary claim to the top spot.

"Qualifying in Indy Lights is very difficult," said Higgins. "It's not easy to get pole and when you get one you have to be really happy."

Rookie Nilton Rossoni was second quickest, ahead of Townsend Bell and Mario Dominguez, the man who pipped Marc Hynes to the second seat at PacWest Racing.

Last year's Formula Palmer Audi champion Damien Faulkner did a solid job to line up sixth for Dorricott Racing, one place ahead of International Formula 3000 refugee Kristian Kolby. Dan Wheldon was 10th fastest in his PacWest car.



Derek Higgins Mexpro Racing 1m25.345s
Nilton Rossoni Conquest Racing 1m25.682s
Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing 1m25.845s
Mario Dominguez Pac West Lights 1m25.967s
Jon Fogarty Dorricott Racing 1m26.262s
Damien Faulkner Dorricott Racing 1m26.430s