Servia fastest IRL convert at Miami

Though the Roth Racing duo once again set the pace overall, with Marty Roth (212.816mph) and Jay Howard (211.668mph )topping the times, the Spaniard's 210.176mph proved that KV Racing were in the ball park with the regular IRL runners, despite limited running with the Dallara-Honda package in oval configuration.

"It would be tough even if we would have made the move in October," said Servia, whose lap was three miles per hour slower than Dan Wheldon's fastest from the IRL regulars' open test in February. "We're learning so much with the car, but the race weekend is here soon. We don't have much time."

Former Arrows Formula One driver Enrique Bernoldi was fourth quickest overall for Conquest ahead of Will Power in the second KV machine.

Graham Rahal set the sixth fastest time ahead of his Newman Haas Lanigan teammate Justin Wilson, despite causing the only crash of the session.

"The car felt really good," said Rahal. "I caught Oriol and overtook him in Turn 1 and was almost past him. I was on a higher line than I had been taking and that was a lot bumpier with a little less grip up there.

"The rear stepped out on me and I caught it and then it did it a second time and I couldn't catch it and crashed."

Wilson, who could reasonably have expected to start the Champ Car season as favourite, is still getting used to the Dallara since the switch, having missed out on the Sebring test last week.

The Briton, himself a former Minardi and Jaguar F1 racer, admitted he was still not entirely at ease in the cockpit of the IndyCar.

"We just have a few more bits to do inside the cockpit to make me feel more comfortable," he said. "Fitting in these cars is not a straight-forward thing."

Franck Perera was eighth quickest for Conquest ahead of HVM's Ernesto Viso. Dale Coyne Racing's Bruno Junqueira, who only ran on the second day, and Mario Moraes completed the runners.

Pos  Driver     Team                    Time             Laps
 1.  Roth       Roth Racing             25.1203 212.816  60
 2.  Howard     Roth Racing             25.2565 211.668  101
 3.  Servia     KV Racing               25.4358 210.176  95
 4.  Bernoldi   Conquest                25.4472 210.082  132
 5.  Power      KV Racing               25.4839 209.780  145
 6.  Rahal      Newman Haas Lanigan     25.4918 209.714  35
 7.  Wilson     Newman Haas Lanigan     25.4929 209.705  99
 8.  Perera     Conquest                25.5560 209.188  93
 9.  Viso       HVM                     25.5682 209.088  100
10.  Junqueira  Dale Coyne              25.6231 208.640  82
11.  Moraes     Dale Coyne              25.8416 206.876  129