Sheer physical strength required at Edmonton
With the old Lola the Champ Car drivers struggled to finish the Edmonton Grand Prix because the track was fast and a combination of high downforce and no power steering was a killer on the arms.
This year the new Panoz chassis generated even more downforce which means the steering wheel will be even harder to turn.
Only the Strong will survive
"It was already one of the toughest races and one of the toughest tracks," said defending champion Justin Wilson. "Now because of the extra downforce on the new cars we're driving in the series this year, a race which is very, very tough physically has become even tougher to drive.
"It's not a negative thing. To me, it's a positive thing. The thing about this course is that there are a lot of high-speed corners with turns which require a lot of energy to handle.
"It's a course which challenges so many different areas of a driver, especially physically and mentally," added the native of Sheffield, England, who hasn't won a race since this one here last year.
"This race is so physical, when it's over, your arms are absolutely aching," he said.
"The car is quicker on the corners. And you can really feel the downforce.
"We're going to have 60 second laps here. And if there is no green and dealing with a race with a one hour and 45 minute limit, we could race 103 laps. Last year I won with 85 laps."
Canadian Alex Tagliani says there's no denying the Edmonton track's reputation.
"This is the most physical track we have. It's a fun track. It's a quick track. But it is physical. It's going to be interesting."
"I thought it was physical last year," said Will Power. With that extra downforce, the steering is very heavy," said the native of Toowoomba, Australia.
"The heat adds to it, too," he said.
"Last year it wasn't any easier because of the heat."
The forecast for Sunday is a high of 28 C.
"It's the fast, high-speed corners and the downforce. Basically the combination means that the faster you go, the harder it is," added Simon Pagenaud.