As previously mentioned, Andreas Wirth will drive for Dale Coyne Racing “Down Under,” this weekend. Wirth won the Formula BMW (USA) Championship in 2004. Wirth made his Toyota Atlantics debut in 2005, finishing 6th overall. Driving one of Forsythe‘s four car Atlantic contingent in 2006, Wirth won the opening two rounds of the Champ Car Atlantic series. Wirth netted 6 podiums and finished 3rd overall behind 2006 Atlantic Champion Simon Pagenaud and runner-up Graham Rahal.
Pagenaud won 2 million dollars for clinching the title and the “mega” payout is an incentive to enable fledgling drivers the opportunity to move up to Champ Cars. Rahal recently tested a Newman/Haas Lola at Sebring. Look for both drivers to graduate to Champ Cars in 2007.
Meanwhile RuSPORT has confirmed Ryan Briscoe as Cristiano da Matta’s substitute for the season‘s remaining two races. The “Aussie” has driven previously for Chip Ganassi’s IRL team along with being a Toyota F1 test driver.
Rocketsports Racing has confirmed Antonio Pizzonia for this weekend’s event. Pizzonia will pilot the team’s second Lola chassis in the season‘s remaining two races in a bid to land a permanent full time ride in 2007. Pizzonia is an ex-Williams F1 test driver with Grand Prix race experience…
The Rocketsports announcement ensures a “full” Champ Car grid of 18 cars for the final two races. Champ Car has fielded as few as 16 or 17 cars earlier this season…
