Franck Perera will take the first steps towards regaining his place in the IndyCar Series by joining the Firestone Indy Lights field for the remainder of the 2008 season.
The Frenchman made a high-profile switch to IndyCars with Conquest Racing after impressing with runner-up honours in last year's Atlantic Championship, but the loss of vital sponsorship meant that he was replaced by Jaime Camara after just a handful of outings, including a solid sixth place at Long Beach.
Determined to regain his place at US open-wheel racing's top table, Perera has now signed with Lights team Guthrie Racing and will form an 'awesome foursome' with Sean Guthrie, Logan Gomez and Mickey Gilbert for the rest of the season.
I'm just excited to be back in the driver's seat, Perera said, I'm very thankful to Guthrie Racing and my management company CJ Motorsport and I am going to do the best I can for the team.
Starting at the seventh race of the season, the Frenchman admitted that he is not going to worry about the championship, but will concentrate on building up his oval experience while trying to fight for podiums and race wins.
I'm not really focusing on the title at this stage," he confirmed, "I'm just looking at it race-by-race, so I will not be holding back. I hope to get some wins on the road courses, since that's where my experience lies, but I plan on being right up there at the front on ovals as well after I get some more practice.
Despite all of his success in America last season, Perera has driven on just one oval - at the Homestead IRL opener - and knows that it is vital that he gain more oval experience if he is to be taken seriously by IndyCar teams.
I have a lot to learn, he admitted, Sean and Logan are great on ovals, so I know they can teach me some techniques and, hopefully, I can help them on road courses in return. I think together we can make it beneficial for all of us so we can improve all season long.
![Franck Perera - Conquest Racing [pic credit: IRL/McQueeney]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/420680.jpg)
