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Da Matta replaces Allmendinger

AJ Allmendinger has split with RuSPORT with immediate effect and will be replaced by 2002 Champ Car title-winner Cristiano da Matta

The American, who currently lies joint fourth in the championship table, and has scored one podium finish for the RuSPORT squad in the first four races of this year gave no hint at Milwaukee last weekend that there was anything amiss in his relationship with his team.

Team owner Carl Russo said: "A.J. has been with us since we created RuSPORT late in 2002. During that time, we won the 2003 Formula Atlantic Championship and the 2004 Champ Car Rookie of the Year together.

"However, as RuSPORT and A.J. have progressed, we believe a different environment will help A.J. to grow even faster, and so we have made this very difficult decision.

"We expect that A.J. will be a winner in any category he competes in. We thank him for all his efforts and we wish him well in the future."

Da Matta, who has raced for Dale Coyne Racing so far this year and won for PKV Racing last year at Portland, scene of the next round of the 2006 season, currently lies ninth in the championship.

He said: "To say this is a great opportunity would be an understatement. This is my sixth season in Champ Car. Only in two of the previous five seasons have I felt like I could fight for a race victory every time I went to the track.

"Now, I can say I have that opportunity again with RuSPORT. I'm looking forward to getting started, and I plan to make the most of this opportunity.

"I want to thank Dale Coyne and the entire team at Dale Coyne Racing for all of their hard work, and I would also like to thank Carl Russo and everyone at RuSPORT for giving me the chance to compete in the #10 Champ Car."

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