Rocketsports, RuSPORT merge

Both outfits planned to run one car each during the season, but will now compete as a two-car operation.

In the final pre-season test at Laguna Seca the two teams worked together as technical partners to see how things proceeded, and the positive results led to the merger.

"The joining of Rocketsports and RuSPORT is both a strategic and economic alliance," said Rocketsports owner Paul Gentilozzi. "Two single car entries leave themselves without a technical sounding board that is certainly required today.

"Two drivers working together can expand the performance envelope when one is perhaps still looking for the right combination. The key ingredient is that both controlling partners are on the same page, it is clear that (RuSPORT owner) Dan Pettit and I are on that page. This arrangement will help both of us and our teams."

Pettit added: "I am really looking forward to working together. This dual-effort gives us the strength we need to succeed this season in Champ Car by having two cars to work with.

"We have two veteran drivers that work well together and we can take advantage of a great engineering staff. It is going to be a great effort and strengthen both programs overall."

The new team will compete with Alex Tagliani and Justin Wilson this season, and the two operations will remain at their current locations for the foreseeable future.

Wilson, runner-up to Sebastien Bourdais in last year's championship, believes the new partnership will pay dividends, helping the team move forward.

"For sure there is an advantage to having two cars, especially two-quick cars," said Wilson. "We were able to demonstrate that through our combined efforts during the Laguna Seca test, as both Alex and I were able to run quick times and close together.

"It is great to have two cars running within a team because you learn twice as much. It is definitely a big advantage to have a teammate, especially an experienced one like Alex. I feel that we, as drivers and the team, were able to benefit from working together in Laguna and I look forward to continuing this relationship for the 2007 season.

"I think together we can have very positive results for the team, our sponsors, and our fans."