Atlantic hopefuls get boost

Details of the scheme have not yet been finalised, but it will involve "some of the top competitors" in the 2005 Atlantic series being given end-of-season tests in a Champ Car. In addition, next year's Atlantic champion will be rewarded with a one-off drive in the Champ Car season finale at Mexico City.

"Champ Car certainly recognises the talented drivers that compete year in and year out in the Toyota Atlantic Championship, and we need to reward that talent and give some of the top young drivers coming up through the system an opportunity to grow and succeed in the Champ Car World Series," said Champ Car VP of operations John Lopes.

Recent graduates from the Atlantic ranks such as Ryan Hunter-Reay and AJ Allmendinger have adapted quickly to the 750bhp Champ Cars, with Allmendinger winning the Rookie of the Year title last season.

However, the Ladder System has also come in for criticism as at least as many Atlantic standouts have been foiled in their attempts to land a Champ Car drive. The most notable casualty has been 2002 and 2004 Atlantic champ Jon Fogarty, who recently announced that he had given up waiting on phone calls and would be pursuing a career in the American Le Mans Series.

Ryan Dalziel, Michael Valiante and Andrew Ranger have all impressed on test outings in Champ Cars during the off-season, but as yet none has a firm offer for 2005.