HVM Racing has a new business partner, CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER, who is here this weekend. Cedric has a two year agreement with the team and is excited about his racing connections. Next year he will be one of the drivers in the Toyota Pro-Celebrity Race at the Champ Car season's opener race - Grand Prix of Long Beach. It will be a challenge for Cedric to fit in to his busy schedule the eight days of required testing and training, but he's looking forward to it.
Looking ahead to next year, HVM team owner KEITH WIGGINS said the team will run at least two cars. One of the drivers will be RONNIE BREMER of Denmark, who is contracted for the 2006 season.
A spokesman for Team Australia said that MARCUS MARSHALL sued the team in Australian Court but did not prevail. Marshall may or may not be coming to Mexico City.
One driver will be running in both series this weekend. MICHAEL McDOWELL of Charlotte NC will make his second Champ Car run with Rocketsports. He also has run a full season in the Rolex Series, co-driving with MEMO GIDLEY in #19 Finlay Motorsports Dinan-
BMW Riley
Daytona Prototype. McDowell was fourteenth fastest in Champ Car and fourth overall and in DP class in the Rolex Series.
McDowell replaced RYAN HUNTER REAY at Rocketsports, when RHR was released. A team spokesperson said that it could be an early start to the 2006 season for McDowell. The team is talking with him, and also with current Rocketsports driver, Rookie TIMO GLOCK of Germany. Glock tied up the Rookie Championship in Australia.
Gidley, who was born in Baja Mexico, has co-driven with McDowell all season, and will be back with Finlay Motorsports again next season in the Daytona Prototype. He is not sure if McDowell will be his co-driver, depending on how it looks for McDowell in Champ Car. Meanwhile, Finlay will run a second DP next season, with owner ROB FINLAY and a TBA driver. The team is also switching to a Crawford chassis next season, with Ford engines built by Roush & Yates Racing Engines.
