Mi-Jack, Conquest join forces for full season.

Conquest Racing , the Indianapolis-based IRL team, and Mi-Jack Products, a manufacturer of specialised cranes based in suburban Chicago, have reached an agreement to form Mi-Jack/Conquest Racing to compete in the full Indy Racing League season in 2002.

Mi-Jack/Conquest Racing will bring together two well-respected names in the racing industry. Conquest fielded an Indy Racing League entry for two races in 2001 and also successfully competed in the Indy Lights series from 1997-2001.

Mi-Jack has been a supporter of open-wheel racing for the past 10 years as a sponsor in the Indy Racing League, Indy Lights and CART.

Indianapolis 500 veteran Eric Bachelart will maintain his position as CEO of the team and will direct the race operations from the team's facility in Indianapolis.

"We are excited about the upcoming season in the IRL," Bachelart said. "We ran the last two races of the season last year and were pleased with the new team's performance. We know we still have some learning to do, but we think we can make an impact on the series."

"It is the next logical step for our racing programme," said Mike Lanigan, president of Mi-Jack Products Inc, "After ten years as a sponsor, to evolve our racing program into a partnership with Eric is good business.

"Eric's racing experience, as a driver and an owner, makes him a great partner in helping us achieve our marketing goals. We know he can bring a winning program to the table."

Mi-Jack/Conquest Racing is finalising driver negotiations and will have an announcement within the next ten days.