Manning: It's possible to win with Foyt

The 32-year-old Englishman, who ended the final day of the Sebring road course test fifth fastest just behind Scot Dixon's Ganassi Dallara, says the knowledge gained from last year combined with an intensive winter development programme will allow Foyt to spring surprises in the reunified series this season.

"As a team and a relationship, Darren Manning and A.J. Foyt Racing, there's still a lot to come in our partnership," he said. "[Last year], it wasn't until the end of every race that we figured out what we needed. Then every time I was really happy with the car by a couple of stops into the race, I was generally right with the leaders.

"If we can start off where we finished last year on that front, we've done a lot of work over the winter, our little package there, there's still a lot to come. Maybe you won't even see the full potential this year, but I'm still saying we can win races, just like I did last year."

Manning has been instrumental in turning the fortunes of the Foyt team around and scored no less than five top ten finishes in 2007, with his best result a fifth place at St Petersburg.

Legendary team owner AJ Foyt is also convinced there is more to come from the outfit this year.

"I'm really looking forward to the new season," he said Foyt. "It'll be our second year with Darren Manning, and I believe we'll just get better and better. During the off-season we did some shaker rig and wind tunnel testing, and we have more scheduled. We hired some new people who will strengthen our program overall.

"With there just being one series, it will be even more competitive, but we'll capitalise on what we learned last year with Darren," he added. "We have the tools in place to make this season one of our best in quite a while."