Andrew Ranger, a Quebec native who turned 18 in November, will team
with Nelson Philippe this season and give Mi-Jack Conquest Racing the
youngest driver lineup in the history of the Champ Car World Series
source:
lasvegassun.com
Philippe, also 18, last year became the youngest driver ever to start a
Champ Car race at the age of 17 years, 8 months and 25 days.
Ranger makes the jump to Champ Car from the developmental Toyota Atlantic
Championship, where he drove for Minden-based Sierra Sierra Enterprises. He
finished fourth in the championship and was named the series' Rookie of the
Year.
"The difference between the Champ Car and Toyota Atlantic car is the engine
-- there is more horsepower in the Champ Car," Ranger said. "Both cars are
pretty similar in terms of driving and braking. It's for that reason which
makes the jump in Champ Car more (easy) for us coming up through the Toyota
Atlantic series because it's basically the same driving experience.
"I think for this year, I have a lot of pressure, but I want to go to Long
Beach and see how things go. I think it's going to be a good year."
Ranger finished second in his Toyota Atlantic debut last season at Long
Beach -- one of his six podium finishes in 12 races. The 2005 Champ Car
World Series season opens April 10 with the 31st annual Toyota Grand Prix of
Long Beach.