Grapevine: Yoong Lands CART Seat for Monterrey

Former Minardi driver Alex Yoong will make his debut in America's CART in Mexico on Sunday after signing a deal with Dale Coyne Racing today.

Yoong, who was ditched by Minardi at the end of the 2002 season, will compete for the first time in six months after agreeing terms and travelling to Monterrey.

"It's a great opportunity for me from Dale Coyne Racing," said Yoong. "The team is showing great faith in me as they know it's not possible to raise the sponsorship at a late notice but I'm confident of organising the sponsors once this race is under our belt.

"The race, however, will be tough, as I've never tested a Champ Car, but I've never stopped training to maintain my physical condition, so with the experience I've got from F1, I feel I'm ready for this challenge. I've always known that something was going to pop up for me, but the real trick was to get a drive that I wanted without needing to buy the drive.

"It's fine if the team can capitalise on my performance to get sponsorship for the team. I aim to repay their faith in me through my performance as well as get more funding for the team as a result of the performance.

"My manager has been working hard since fall to secure this drive for me, but I did not expect to be called up until round three in Long Beach," added Yoong.

Dale Coyne Racing have been in CART for 20 years. The team finished ninth with Swiss driver Joel Camathias in Florida in the opening round on February 23.