In-keeping with its commitment to backing promising up-and-coming young European drivers, Conquest Racing has handed a chance to Simon Pagenaud and Franck Perera at Sebring in the Champ Car World Series' first open test of 2008.
Following the announcement that Sébastien Chardonnet and Juho Annala will run for the third-year team in Florida, the two Frenchmen – both graduates of the Champ Car Atlantic Championship, as the 2006 champion and 2007 runner-up respectively – will also be given their opportunity to impress.
Pagenaud, from Poitiers, had an excellent rookie season in the 2007 CCWS with Team Australia, notching up six top-five finishes – including three consecutive fourth-places in the Canadian Triple Crown events – and a best starting position of second. His Atlantic success the previous season had come courtesy of six rostrums and nine top-five results, prior to which he had also turned heads in the World Series by Renault.
“I'm really happy to be with Conquest Racing this weekend,” the 23-year-old enthused. “I have the opportunity to run for Eric [Bachelart, team owner], who has put together a very good programme for 2008. I think Conquest Racing will be very competitive this year; they have very competent people on the team and we can expect good results.
“This weekend will be my first test with them and I hope to get things started in the right direction in Sebring. I also wish to thank Derrick Walker and Craig Gore, who gave me the chance to come and race in America as a professional race car driver. We had two very good seasons together.”
Montpellier-born Perera, meanwhile, hopes to enter the CCWS this year as a rookie, following an outstanding Atlantic campaign in which he finished in the top five at every event. The 23-year-old – nicknamed ‘Fearless Franck' – ended the season with a staggering eight consecutive podiums, including victories at Mont-Tremblant, Toronto and Road America. He also completed every lap of the twelve races and led 116 of them
en route to second in the standings.
![Franck Perera - Condor Motorsport [pic courtesy Champ Car Atlantic Championship]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/307004.jpg)
