Grapevine: Manning Secures ASCAR Seat

British American Racing test driver Darren Manning is set to turn his back on Formula One after signing a deal to compete in the new ASCAR series this season.

Manning will dovetail his duties with BAR with his new role with Bintcliffe Sport in the 18-round British-based oval racing series, which starts at Rockingham next weekend.

"I'm really excited about the challenge of the series," said former Formula 3000 driver Manning. "It's an exciting opportunity for myself to compete in a high-speed, high-profile championship.

"It's going to be totally different to F3000 and F1 testing but I'm looking forward to the different technical and racing challenges which it will present."

Manning said that he plans to use the series as a stepping stone to a career in America's Champ Car series as he turns his attentions away from possible opportunities in Formula One.

"I was looking at Champ Cars for this season," Manning added. "The ASCAR series will give me oval racing experience which seems to be a high priority with the team bosses when looking at new drivers.

"Success in ASCAR will hopefully open up many new doors for my future career. I'm still contracted to BAR for F1 testing and my manager Mike O'Brien is actively looking for either F3000 or Sports Car drives which can be combined with the ASCAR racing programme."

The 26-year-old was in contention to partner Jacques Villeneuve with Brackley-based BAR when Ricardo Zonta left the team at the end of the 2000 season but lost the seat to Olivier Panis.

He was classified as the team's official reserve driver last year, but this season young Briton Anthony Davidson is the understudy to Villeneuve and Panis.