source:
crash.net
On the heels of Thursday's announcement that Justin Wilson has been signed by
Mi-Jack Conquest Racing to drive in the 2004 Champ Car World Series, the team
has announced that Brazilian rookie Alex Sperafico will pilot the team's second
entry for the season.
Sperafico made two Champ Car starts in 2003 with Dale Coyne Racing, earning a
best result of 14th at Miami. He will drive a Ford-Cosworth-powered Reynard
machine in his first full season of Champ Car World Series competition in 2004.
"Alex is a talented driver and has a good personality, and we will work with him
throughout the year to develop his skills in Champ Car," said team co-owner Eric
Bachelart.
"He will be driving a Reynard chassis, which was very good at some tracks last
year, including Laguna Seca--where we finished fifth with Mario Haberfeld--and
at Mexico City--where Tiago Monteiro qualified on the front row. Of course, the
Reynard also won at Surfers Paradise last year. We've learned a lot about the
car and continued developing it throughout the off-season. I think he will work
very well with Justin, and I expect both drivers to be in contention for Rookie
of the Year.
Prior to entering Champ Cars, Sperafico earned five top-five finishes in the
2000 Barber Dodge Pro Series, and earned his first Barber Dodge victory in the
2001 series opener at Sebring. He participated in nine FIA International Formula
3000 Championship events for European Minardi, competing against current Champ
Car competitor Sebastien Bourdais. He began his racing career in 1998 with three
wins and three pole positions en route to third place in the B Class of the
South American F3 Championship final standings.