Kasemets to race for Rocketsports

The Estonian, who finished runner-up in last year's Champ Car Atlantic Championship, tested briefly for RuSPORT earlier this year, but knowing both seats at that team were confirmed, had been talking with Conquest, Dale Coyne and Rocketsports.

Rocketsports' team-owner Paul Gentilozzi, who has not given up hope of morphing his squad into a Team Brazil, has given Kasemets his chance as the negotiations with Brazilian potential backers continues.

He said: "Last year I watched a real competitor work very, very hard to get to the race each week and to win races, and that kind of commitment and enthusiasm is very difficult to find in a race driver today. We've had a six-year relationship. The last couple of years I've certainly admired everything he's done and have spent considerable time watching him.

"Even though Tonis will be a rookie, he knows the racetracks we're about to race on. We believe in Tonis and we believe he can be the best rookie as we go forward."

Although it has yet to be confirmed, autosport.com believes that Kasemets will compete at Portland, Cleveland, Toronto, Edmonton, Road America and Mexico City. Kasemets will not start next weekend's race at Milwaukee, given his unfamiliarity with oval racing.

The Estonian said: "It's been pretty much a dream come true, a roller coaster for me, so I'm really, really looking forward."

Autosport sources inform us that Antonio Pizzonia, who drove the sole Rocketsports entry at Long Beach may make his return to Champ Car racing at Montreal, given that he knows the circuit. The other possibility is Franck Montagny, who tested so impressively in a Champ Car pre-season.