Power Targets Title by 2008

The 26 year-old Australian has just signed a three-year deal with the Walker Racing-run squad, and will make his debut with the team at next week's Lexmark Indy 300 at Surfers Paradise.

And Power, who has signed with the team until 2008 reckons that he can be a serious title contender thanks to his long-term contract.

Power told Autosport-Atlas: "It is a long deal because that is what the team were looking for. The team want to do this properly with an Australian driver and we can look at the championship. The plan is to learn about the series next year, then start winning races in '07 and challenge for the championship in '08.

"It will help next year to learn the tracks and the series to be on a level playing field when the chassis comes in at the start of 2007. It looks really good from what I have seen."

Power also said he hasn't given up on his dream of racing in Formula One, however the opportunity of racing in a top-level series was too good to miss.

"I could either try and scrape together a budget for GP2 and end up owing people money, or I could get paid to do Champ Car," he said. "Champ Car is definitely on the up at the moment. I can't wait for the ovals. I've never driven one so I can't comment but they look really fun things to do. Formula One will still be there."

The World Series by Renault race winner says he doesn't feel unduly pressured by making his Champ Car debut in front of his home fans next weekend. He is also likely to race at Mexico City.

"Although I've raced in other series at the track before I haven't raced a Champ Car yet," he added. "But I will feel pressure form the home crowd because I want to do well and hopefully I can do as well as David Besnard did last year, when he finished seventh. I haven't done much in the car and it is a pretty different car from what I am used to.

"I think the deal will include Mexico to give me as much experience as possible for next year."