Conquest Racing has consolidated its future in the Champ Car World Series after strengthening its ties with new marketing partner, Australian-based financial services provider Opes Prime Group Ltd.

The new two-year agreement sees Opes Prime principal shareholder Anthony Blumberg acquire an equity stake in the Conquest organisation, providing the necessary capital investment to fuel the team's growth over the next two seasons. As a direct result, the Indianapolis-based team has committed to entering two cars in the 2008 Champ Car World Series, although drivers and other marketing partner announcements will not be made until early next year.

"I'm proud to be associated with Conquest Racing for 2008 and beyond," Blumberg said of his latest acquisition, "The team is the one with whom we made our Champ Car debut at Surfers Paradise this year, giving me a taste of the American open-wheel scene."

Conquest Racing came close to shutting its doors in 2007, before bouncing back late on as Jan Heylen - one of three drivers to occupy the single seat in the course of the season - scored a season best result of second place at Assen. Now, with its future seemingly secured, owner Eric Bachelart hopes to be able to be competitive every weekend.

“I'm thrilled to welcome Opes Prime as a partner with Conquest Racing," he said, "Although we have fielded competitive entries the last five years in Champ Car, with good results, the addition of Opes Prime and Anthony Blumberg offers us the opportunity to solidify our base of operations and plan for the growth required not just to compete but to win.

“We believe in the future of Champ Car very strongly, and I believe that is validated, not only by commitment of Conquest Racing, but our new partners as well. This partnership will continue to spur the growth of Champ Car in Australia, where it is already massively popular.”

Among those drivers to have tested with Conquest since the arrival of Blumberg is Briton James Winslow, who has made no secret of his interest in joining the Champ Car ranks next season. However, while Winslow's links with Opes Prime extend back to the start of 2007, where he brought the company wins in Australian F3 and the title in Asia V6, he will still have to impress both team and backer ahead of next season.

"Our aim over the next couple of years is to develop and promote talent from within the junior formulae Australian and Asian Championships," Blumberg confirmed, "and, whilst our involvement with Conquest in no way guarantees a drive for any of those talented young Opes Prime-backed drivers, it does provide an opportunity, which is what we are all about."

Conquest has planned tests in January and February in which it aims to conduct driver evaluations.