The recently renamed Super Aguri Panther Racing squad has revealed that Formula Nippon graduate Hideki Mutoh will drive its Indy Pro Series entry next season, confirming the team's presence in both frontline Indy racing League championships.

The 24-year old Mutoh is a veteran of the Formula Ford, Formula Dream - where he took the 2003 title - Asian Formula 2000 and Japanese F3 series. This season, he contested both Formula Nippon and the Japanese Super GT Championship, but has decided to follow compatriots Kosuke Matsuura, Hideki Noda and Roger Yasukawa to the IRL fold.
Mutoh will drive the #55 entry, with the identity of his sponsors to be released shortly.

"This year, I was racing in the top categories of Japanese racing, so I am very happy to get this great opportunity but, at the same time, I am very nervous to reach my expectations," he said, "Everything will be a new experience for me, but I am ready to learn as much as possible."

The announcement marks Panther Racing's return to the Indy Pro Series, where it claimed a dominant title success in 2003 with Briton Mark Taylor.

"We're excited to have [signed] Hideki, who has lot of experience in some of Japan's top racing categories," team CEO John Barnes said, "His addition will allow us to return to the Indy Pro Series and strengthen our partnership with Super Aguri.

"We hope that Hideki adjusts to his new environment quickly, and we look forward to him showing us 100 per cent in the races. We've already hired some great people for our IPS programme so he's going to be in great hands here at Panther."

Matsuura will pilot the team's Indycar Series entry having followed the Super Aguri link to Panther from Fernandez Racing.