CART Rookie Darren Manning full of fun and charisma

Driving skills plus poise have made him a fan favorite.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Darren Manning had just finished the final forkful of dinner when a group of young fans approached the British driver inside his team's hospitality tent.
"Can we take our picture with you?" asked a giggling teenage girl.
"Of course," said Manning, who sprang from his chair, wrapped his arm around her shoulder and flashed one of his podium-finish smiles.
If CART handed out a Mr. Congeniality Award, the rookie with Walker Racing would be this season's runaway winner.
The 28-year-old Manning isn't your typical first-year driver, though. His poise and charisma have won over open-wheel racing fans, and his fine-tuned driving skills have earned him the respect of competitors.
"I like him," said series points leader Paul Tracy. "He's very fast and has already had some really good results. And, he's got, what? Personality?"
Yeah, by the truckload.
Friendly to fans
Watching Manning interact with fans last weekend at the Cleveland Grand Prix, it's easy to see why he's so likable. During an autograph session for fans, Manning had time for everyone.
One minute, he was sharing a laugh. The next, he was giving one.
"He's just a great guy," said Melissa Kliethermes, Walker's public relations director, who sometimes has to pry Manning away from his fans.
Manning's easygoing nature and boyish charm have served him well during a 15-year career that began on go-cart tracks in England, swerved through Formula One test tracks across Europe, briefly pit stopped in Japan and has parked -- for now -- in CART.
Even during some tough years when he struggled to find a team to drive for, Manning has relied on a positive outlook and fun-loving disposition to help pull him through.
"I've had some big lows," he said, "and I've kept going because I've had the sponsors and a manager and I've had the drive. People have always been telling me, 'Don't change who you are, just be yourself'. I just want to have a good time, have a laugh. I just love entertaining people. "
Businesslike
However, on the track, he's all business.
"He's all about racing," said Walker Racing owner Derrick Walker. "He eats, sleeps and breathes it."
Through his first nine races, Manning has seven Top 10 finishes, including a fourth at the Milwaukee Mile on an oval track. Following his 10th place finish at Cleveland, Manning is 10th in the overall points standings but second among the series' nine rookies.
However, what may be most impressive about Manning's first season on the CART circuit is that he hasn't had a chance to test drive on many of the tracks.