Shank confirms Koster, Lavin for 2002 Atlantics.

Michael Shank Racing [MSR] has announced that Dutchman Sepp Koster will join second-year Mexican Rodolfo Lavin in its line-up for the forthcoming Toyota Atlantic campaign.

Koster finished as runner-up in the 2001 Barber Dodge Pro Series [BDPS], his fourth year in the championship, missing the ultra-competitive title by just four points, having posted three wins, three pole positions and four fastest race laps in 12 events. Koster leaves the BDPS as its all-time points leader with 451. His BDPS career also includes a third-place finish in the championship standings in 2000, a fifth-place effort in 1999, and a ninth-place showing in 1998.

"I'm very happy to get into such a high-profile series," the Dutchman said, "I think it will finally give me the opportunity to show what I can do in a faster car and a more-competitive environment. It's really a challenge that I?ve been looking forward to, and I've signed with one of the top teams, so I feel I should be able to get some good results. I don?t think we?ll have many problems on the technical side, which means it will be up to me to get the best out of the package they can offer."

Competing as a rookie in Atlantics in 2001, Lavin drove in all twelve of the development series' events, finishing seventh in the championship standings and third in Rookie of the Year points. He finished in the top eight on eight occasions, with his best showing coming at Nazareth, where he qualified and finish third. His season also included a fourth-place effort at Chicago Motor Speedway, and a fifth-place run in Vancouver.

Prior to the 2001 season, the Mexican competed in CART's Dayton Indy Lights Championship, driving in 58 races between 1996 and 2000. His racing resume also includes Mexico's Formula Three Nissan series, where he finished second in championship points in 1994 and '95.

"I?m very happy to be back with Michael Shank Racing," Lavin said, "It's a team that I know very well from last year, and I think we will be capable of doing much better this season.

"Right now, I?m getting prepared mentally and physically to start the season. It's definitely going to be more competitive in the Atlantic series this year with several new teams, but with the experience that I have, I feel we should be able to run up front. And it will be great to start the season in my home country at Monterrey."

"We're extremely pleased to have Rodolfo back with us for a second season," stated MSR owner Michael Shank, "He did an excellent job for us as a rookie last year, and with what he learned from that experience, we feel confident that he'll be one of the guys fighting for the championship."

"I'm also very pleased to have added Sepp to our driver line-up for 2002. He came real close to winning the Barber Dodge Pro Series championship last year, so he certainly deserves the opportunity to move up to Atlantics. With the addition of several new teams to the series this year, we know it's going to be tougher than ever to do well and win races, but with Sepp's talent, experience, and desire to succeed, we think he's going to be more than ready for the challenge."

MSR plans to field a third entry in the series, with a driver to be announced shortly.

The twelve-race 2002 CART Toyota Atlantic Championship season begins on 10 March with the Tecate Telmex Grand Prix presented by Herdez at Fundidora Park in Monterrey, Mexico.