Hunter-Reay joins Herdez

American driver Hunter-Reay, 23, a graduate of the Champ Car Ladder System of junior single-seater series, will partner Mexican Mario Dominguez at he two-car squad, which had its most successful Champ Car season to date in 2003.

Hunter-Reay became the first American rookie to win a Champ Car race since 1983 when he triumphed at Surfer's Paradise in Australia for American Spirit Team Johansson at the end of last season. The Floridian, who finished 14th in the points, tested for Herdez at Sebring and Fontana earlier this year.

He said: "After winning last year, I was determined to drive for a front-line team that has the ability to consistently be at the sharp end of the grid. We have already set the pace at the first tests of the season.

"I enjoy the chemistry and professionalism of the team and I'm excited about the opportunity to work with [Herdez engineers] Tom Brown, Will Phillips and Michael Cannon. Everyone on the team really made me feel welcome from day one. Let's go racing."

Team co-owner Keith Wiggins said: "Ryan will be a strong team-mate alongside Mario. Both had good 2003 seasons and I think they will be a forceful combination in what is shaping up to be a very competitive field."

Hunter-Reay will join the team for more testing at Sebring this week, with the series kicking off at Long Beach on April 18.

As several big names like Adrian Fernandez, Bobby Rahal and Pat Patrick defect with their teams to the IRL, the Champ Car World Series was given a further boost by the news that championship regular Dale Coyne Racing will field two cars this season, and will announce its drivers in the near future.