Power Signs Team Australia Deal

The Australian will make his debut for the team in a third Lola Cosworth at his home event in next weekend's Lexmark Indy 300 at Surfers Paradise, and will race full-time for the team from 2006 to 2008.

The World Series by Renault race winner had been rumoured to be in the frame for a deal with the team since he tested their Reynard chassis at Portland, Oregon earlier this year.

Power will join current drivers Marcus Marshall and Canadian Alex Tagliani in a third car for next weekend's race, and could also race at the series finale at Mexico City.

Team Australia co-owner and Queensland businessman Craig Gore says that he is delighted to welcome Power to Team Australia, which is set to be the focus of next week's Queensland event.

"We have been toying with the idea of running three cars at the Lexmark Indy 300 for sometime and when Will made himself available we jumped at the chance. We have extended that further by securing him to a three-year contract," said Gore.

"Will has had the opportunity to test with us and has done an impressive job. It is great that we not only have an Australian in a third car, but to have a Queenslander is a bonus.

"This is the next step in our on-going journey to help Australians to the highest level of motorsport."

Fellow team owner Derrick Walker has been very impressed with Power's ability behind the wheel of a Champ Car in the Portland test.

"All the early indications are that Will could be a very competitive driver in the Champ Car series," said Walker. "He certainly has the pace and is professional in the way he approaches his racing.

The 26 year-old has experience of the Surfers Paradise track, winning both Australian F3 support races to the 2002 Champ Car event. He also won one of the Formula Ford races at the street course in 2000.

Power has won two races in the World Series by Renault this season, at Le Mans and Bilbao. The Champ Car deal means he misses the World Series season finale at Monza.

Power believes the fact that the team is branded Team Australia means that he is especially proud of the opportunity.

Power said: "The Champ Car World Series is one of the most exciting categories of racing in the world and I am excited about being a part of it with Team Australia. To finally get an opportunity in an Australian-owned and branded team is something I am going to be proud of.

"To make my debut on the Gold Coast is also going to be a fantastic experience and it would be terrific if we could have similar or better success than David Besnard did last year when he finished seventh in his one and only Champ Car race."