Manning is training hard

AJ Foyt Racing has confirmed that Darren Manning will return to drive the famous #14 IndyCar Series machine in 2008.

Joining the team in 2007, Manning appeared to elevate the series' only full-time single car operation to a higher competitive level, but he noted there is still plenty of work to do.

"Last year we came away most weekends wishing we could start the weekend over because we had learned so much about the car and what I want in a car," said Manning, who finished 13th in series points with a best result of fourth at Detroit's Belle Isle race. "With the compressed schedule, we were doing most of our development work on race weekends."

To help speed up the developmental curve, AJ Foyt Racing has stated they would hire some more key personnel, and among other things, they will significantly expand their shock (damper) research program. The team will also again spend the summer in a rented Indianapolis shop that will afford much shorter travel times than their permanent home outside of Houston, Texas.

"We now have a baseline to work from for all of the tracks which will help tremendously. Last year was my first year working with A.J. and driving the Dallara chassis with Honda power. There was a lot that had to be learned: A.J. learning what I want, me learning how the Dallara reacts to changes and then the overall communication within the crew. We did learn but the process affected our consistency. I look for all of that to change for the better in 2008," stated the Englishman.

Darren Manning showed promise early in 2007 when he ran in the top three for most of the St. Petersburg street race until spinning late. A visibly fatigued Manning quickly figured out that he would need to add more strength training to his workouts. The team also used an experimental steering box at times to help lighten the load on their driver. IndyCar Series rules do not allow any type of power assisted steering.

In preparation for 2008, Manning has hired a new personal trainer who is "killing me but I asked him to."

Manning is presently in his Knaresborough, England hometown to spend the holidays with his family.

ORS / CAPSIS International