Da Matta itching for more competition

Comeback driver Cristiano da Matta didn't race in the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series action at Watkins Glen International, but he did accompany the Bob Stallings GAINSCO team to the historic track.

Three weeks ago da Matta raced for the first time since his tragic testing accident at Road America 22 months ago. The Brazilian teamed with long-time friend Jimmy Vasser in a second Stallings car in the Rolex Series race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

The pair finished 15th and da Matta led 10 laps to add icing to his comeback cake. "Even though I didn't have the best result, I felt very light afterward and the question mark could be removed. I was relaxed and cool with the results," he said with a smile of satisfaction on his face.

"I had been behind the wheel many times in testing and practice, but racing is a much different feeling," he added. "To be on the race track competing against other cars and drivers was very special."

The former open-wheel champion is new to sports car racing and he said he has a lot to learn. "In Champ Car, I was accustomed to everything and it required a different mind set. The Rolex Series is new to me and I have to pay attention to everything. My mind was very busy."

Bob Stallings, da Matta and others are looking for a sponsor for the second car, and they are guardedly optimistic that funding will come through shortly, to allow them to join the series on a regular basis. In the meantime, da Matta plans to attend as many Rolex Series races as possible, to become more familiar with sports car racing. "I should be able to learn a lot from the drivers and engineers," he stated.

On Memorial Day weekend, da Matta was among the thousands watching the 92nd Indianapolis 500 and he couldn't hide his pleasure with the results. "The Indy 500 is such a special race and Scott Dixon was a great winner. I was very happy for him, but I would have liked my friend Tony Kanaan to have done better. I thought he was the only driver that had something for Scott."

Da Matta indicated his open-wheel career is over but he can't wait to expand on his new-found sports car career. And insiders believe it won't be long before the well- liked driver becomes not only a regular but a force to be reckoned with in Rolex Series competition.