From being trumpeted as Conquest Racing's first signing of its new relationship with Australian investment house Opes Prime, Franck Perera has become the first casualty of the season following the sponsor's recent collapse.
Conquest announced overnight that, with Opes Prime having gone under following 'an accounting error', Brazilian Jaime Camara will drive the #34 Dallara-Honda for the remainder of the season, starting with this weekend's Road Runner Turbo 300 at Kansas Speedway. The Indy Pro Series graduate's opportunity coincides with an extension of Conquest's deal with its other sponsor, Sangari, which began the season backing Enrique Bernoldi.
“It's a great opportunity for me," Camara admitted, "This has always been a goal for me, to get to the IndyCar Series, but it's been hard work since 2005 when I came to the United States to race. I never looked at going to Europe to try different series, it was always here, so it's a good feeling that I have now. I am especially happy that it happened with the merger going on, because now all the teams are here and the series is gaining momentum. I want to thank Eric Bachelart for giving me this opportunity, as well as Sangari and my manager, Geraldo Rodrigues, who worked for this to happen. It's just a dream come true."
Unlike either Bernoldi or Perera, Camara brings extensive oval experience to Conquest, having competed for three seasons in the Pro Series and racked up testing miles in Andretti Green Racing's IndyCar Series car last year. He finished fifth overall in his IPS rookie season in 2005, taking three poles and two victories - including the Freedom 100 at Indianapolis - and took another win in 2006 after switching from Sam Schmidt Motorsports to AGR. Last season failed to add to his win tally as he remained at Andretti Green/AFS Racing machine, but the 27-year old earned the 'most improved driver' award for gaining the most positions throughout the season.
![Franck Perera - Conquest Racing [pic credit: IRL/McQueeney]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/420680.jpg)
