Italian to be full-time replacement for Lemarie
source: autosport.com
PK Racing confirmed on Saturday that Max Papis will drive its Champ Car for
the rest of the 2003 season. Bryan Herta was drafted in to drive the first-year
team's Lola-Ford this weekend at Laguna Seca while Papis competes in the 24
Hours of Le Mans with Panoz.
PK Racing co-owners Craig Pollock and Kevin Kalkhoven started the season with
Pollock's client Patrick Lemarie. But the 35-year old French rookie never came
close to showing competitive form and was released after six races with a best
result of 10th place.
Papis is a three-time Champ Car race winner, but he has been on the sidelines
for the first half of 2003 after missing out on the Rocketsports Racing ride to
Alex Tagliani. The Italian is delighted about his new employment situation.
"I am very happy to be joining PK Racing from Portland on," Papis
stated. "I love driving single seaters and feel like I will be going home
by coming back to drive in CART. I hope I can bring some of my open wheel
experience to the PK Racing team and help them achieve some of their goals this
season."
Kalkhoven said that the team is looking into ways to keep Herta involved with
the team and a team statement intimated that a second PK entry could run later
this season.
"PK Racing is dedicated to winning races, and we will continue to do
whatever it takes to achieve that goal," Kalkhoven remarked. "I want to
experience the podium - I want that feeling, and I have confidence that both
Bryan and Max can get us there."