Ukyo Katayama has confirmed he will take the Speedcar Series challenge later this year when he enters in the inaugural Grand Racing event. The Japanese star is the latest ex-Formula One driver to announce he will battle for the championship's 600,000 US dollars first prize.
Katayama said: "I am delighted to be confirmed as the first driver from the Far East to be taking part in the Speedcar Series. It is especially nice for me, as I am confident the series will visit Japan at some stage during the championship! This will be another great challenge for me, after taking part in Formula One, the Le Mans 24 Hours, and by climbing some of the world's toughest mountains."
"My initial impressions of the car are very good, the engine is very powerful and makes a great sound. They will provide a very different kind of competition for myself and all the other drivers, we will all be coming from quite a level playing field in terms of experience, and that will make things very exciting for the fans, whom I am sure will love the exciting racing."
Benoit Lamonerie, General Manager of Speedcar Series, added: "With an increasing interest from high profiled drivers, I am confident of a good racing season to commence in November."
Further announcements on teams and drivers taking part in the Championship will be made shortly.
Ukyo Katayama (Tokyo, Japan, 29th May 1963) made his Formula One debut in 1991 for Larrousse, before driving for Tyrrell and Minardi. Since leaving Formula 1 in 1997 he has competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours for Toyota.
The Speedcar Series will begin in November, and form part of an eight-round championship across Asia and the Middle East. The series will feature 24-identical 620bhp cars, with a mixture of former F1, international and celebrity drivers. The series will run with GP2 Asia at five meetings as part of the Grand Racing events, and alongside the Formula One World Championship at two races in 2008. A 3,000,000 US dollars prize fund is available for all 24 competitors, with the eventual champion receiving 600,000 US dollars.
www.speedcarseries.com
- Speedcar Series, also photo -
