Grapevine: Manning Lands Team St George Seat

Formula One test driver Darren Manning will make his CART debut in an all-English 'Team St. George' at next week's Rockingham 500, organisers announced on Thursday.

Manning, 27, a British American Racing (BAR) tester, becomes the first Englishman to compete in the U.S.-based championship since Formula One veteran Mark Blundell in 2000. He will drive a British-built Lola powered by a Ford Cosworth engine and painted in the red and white colours of the English flag in the September 14 race.

Rockingham is the 15th round of the series and will be the sole scheduled appearance for the hurriedly-assembled team in what is now the only European round after the cancellation of Germany's Lausitz 500.

"I think this is a one-off to tempt people's interest," Rockingham chief executive David Grace told reporters at the now disused Brooklands racetrack south of London. "But I would be most surprised if someone doesn't come along and grasp the opportunity to carry on Team St George."

Manning was a Formula Three winner but has failed to attract the sort of interest earned by fellow BAR test driver Anthony Davidson when he drove in two races for Minardi in Formula One last month.

Higher Profile

Manning hoped that Rockingham, likely to be the fastest race ever held in Britain, would raise his profile.

"That's the plan...I'm a racing driver, I want to win," he said. "Those teams out there running in championships and Formula One teams are going to be watching as well, hopefully. They all know what a tough task it is going to be so any result I get is hopefully going to be well looked-at for next year.

"This is a good chance for me to get my name in the headlines and really shine. He (Davidson) has had his opportunity for the last two races, hopefully I'll give something better."

Manning has driven with the Formula One regulars in testing and can now pit his skills against CART frontrunners such as Scotland's Dario Franchitti and Brazilian title favourite Cristiano da Matta. Johnny Herbert, a Formula One winner who had hoped to move into CART, said he would be at the race and recalled how he had been given his Grand Prix debut a decade ago.

"I was given my first big break in Formula One by Lotus, which was a very English team," he said, sending a video message of support. "With his experience of Rockingham, I think we have a British driver who can do a very competitive job."

The Yorkshireman completed his mandatory rookie test last week, lapping Rockingham at an average of around 210 mph under the observation of French driver Nicolas Minassian.

"There is no problem with his driving for sure," said Minassian, who in 2000 replaced Colombia's 1999 champion Juan Pablo Montoya in the Ganassi CART team.

"He's learning the car fast and he's already on the pace. I'm quite jealous of him actually. I wish I could change my nationality, there's no opportunity like this for French drivers."