Alex Yoong enters V8 Supercars.

Alex Yoong, ex-Formula 1 and Champ Car driver, has joined Shane Beikoff Racing for three rounds of the 2004 Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Series.

Racing the Shane Beikoff Racing AU Falcon, Yoong will contest the next three rounds of the Konica Minolta Series at Eastern Creek, Queensland Raceway and Mallala.

"Alex intends to use the Konica Minolta Series to gain V8 Supercar experience, and become familiar with the machinery and set-up, in order to secure a V8 Supercar Championship Series endurance drive later in 2004," said Yoong's Australian manager Ross Cadell.

"We are currently negotiating an endurance package for Alex, and decided it was best for him to gain some track time in the Konica Minolta Series with help from his Malaysian backer, Pan Global," Cadell continued.

"Shane Beikoff Racing appeared as the ideal platform to take this step, with a good team balance of machinery, experience & budget for Alex to learn the craft of racing V8 Supercars," an excited Cadell explained.

"We have all contributed towards Alex's Australian debut with Pan Global, Shane Beikoff Racing, Alex & myself all contributing financially to make this a success. We are all revved up & excited at the prospects and look forward to showing the talent this young guy has," Cadell continued.

Alex Yoong raced 19 rounds of the Formula 1 World Championship with Minardi from 2001 to 2002, with a seventh placing in Australia in 2002 as the highlight of his F1 career. Alex is probably more noteworthy to Australians as the Minardi team-mate in 2002 of Australian F1 racer Mark Webber.

Yoong competed in three rounds of the USA Champ Car Series in 2003, finishing ninth in his debut race in Mexico.

Shane Beikoff Racing team manager Shane Beikoff is exhilerated with the deal with Yoong, stating it as a major step forward for the Brisbane-based V8 Supercar team.

"Signing Alex for the Konica Minolta Series is not only a positive move for Shane Beikoff Racing, but it is a coup for the V8 Supercar category. Alex had other overseas driving options but has chosen our V8 Supercar category to continue his racing career. The experience Alex gained recently from Formula 1 and Champ Cars is significant and we should welcome his input into the category," Beikoff explained.

"We have been searching for a driver with a budget to work with for selected Konica Minolta V8Supercar Rounds, and when Alex expressed interest and explained his future plans, it seemed to fit into our structure," Beikoff continued.

"We will be able to provide Alex with the stepping stones he needs to progress to the V8 Supercar Championship Series. We are all enthusiastic and cohesive in our efforts with Alex and look forward to working with the 28-year old Malaysian.

Shane Beikoff Racing will test with Alex Yoong in the next few weeks, and Alex Yoong will make his V8 Supercar debut at Eastern Creek on 29th-30th May.