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Simon Pagenaud Joins Team Australia Champ Car |
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Friday, 16 February 2007 |
 Indianapolis, IN (February 13, 2007)- After what was noted as an extremely successful first season for Frenchman Simon Pagenaud, the reigning 2006 Champ Car Atlantic champion makes the move up to Champ Car and who better to do it with than the team he won the Atlantic championship with, Team Australia.
The Frenchman completes Team Australia’s 2007 line-up, with him campaigning the #15 Aussie Vineyards/Panoz DP01 while teaming up with 2006 Roshfrans Rookie of the Year, Australian Will Power, who will pilot the #5 Aussie Vineyards/Panoz DP01 for a second season.
The announcement was made as Team Australia completed the second half of a two-day Champ Car open test in Houston.
Team Australia co-owner Derrick Walker, who over saw today’s test in
Houston, said the announcement of Pageneaud as Power’s teammate was the
start of the next chapter for Team Australia.
“We are very happy to have Simon partnering with Will Power, completing
our 2007 line-up. Craig (Gore) and I are glad to be coming back for our
third season,” said Walker.
“Things are definitely coming together nicely. Simon Pagenaud was a big
part of our 2006 Atlantic Championship and I expect he and Will (Power)
will work really well together and make a positive impact on our Team
Australia race program.”
Pagenaud produced an impressive rookie season in the Atlantic series in
2006 with Team Australia by winning the championship on the strength of
nine top-five finishes, six podiums and one pole.
Pagenaud is ecstatic about joining his team for the 2007 season, proving how beneficial the Atlantic series was for him.
“I’m so excited to be moving up to Champ Car and to be joining my old
team from Atlantic’s to drive the #15 Aussie Vineyards car with Team
Australia” said Pagenaud.
“We had a fantastic year with the Atlantic series, it was a great
program. Moving up into Champ Car with Team Australia is great. Derrick
Walker and Craig Gore were very helpful to me last year and I am really
looking forward to having a great season with them again.
“With the new car and all the new changes, the Champ Car series is
getting stronger and stronger, it will be a challenging year, but what
can I say, I’m very happy where I am at this time and I’m ready to grow
with the team and the series.”
Team Australia co-owner Craig Gore welcomed Pagenaud aboard the team’s Champ Car program.
“The signing of Simon Pagenaud to our second Team Australia seat
completes our driver line up, which I think is a very strong
combination.” said Team Australia co-owner Craig Gore.
“Simon did a terrific job for us in the Atlantic series last year and
I’m happy that we will have him a part of our Champ Car operation going
forward. 2007 is going to be an exciting year on so many levels for
Champ Car."
Team Australia came off of a very successful 2006 Champ Car World
Series season with their two car effort with Canadian Alex Tagliani and
Australian Will Power who had a combined 16 top-ten finishes, three
podiums and one pole.
The two produced an impressive finish in the overall point standings,
finishing sixth and eighth respectively. Not only did they have a
strong result but, Power took home the Roshfrans Rookie of the Year
title along with the Bridgestone Passion for Excellence award.
For more information on the team please visit www.teamaustraliamotorsport.com.au.
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