Matsuura back with Aguri Fernandez
Kosuke Matsuura will return to race for Super Aguri Fernandez Racing in the IRL IndyCar series this season
Matsuura will pilot the number 55 Panasonic ARTA Dallara/Honda/Firestone entry in his third season of IndyCar Series competition, team owners Aguri Suzuki and Adrian Fernandez have confirmed.
"Kosuke has gained a lot of experience these past two seasons in his first years of oval track racing," said Suzuki. "I believe that he will show us great performances in 2006."
The 26 year-old Japanese driver joined Super Aguri Fernandez Racing in 2004 after three successful years of European competition where Matsuura finished second and third in the German Formula Three and Formula Renault V6 Eurocup Championships respectively.
After earning IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year honours in his debut season, Matsuura suffered through a disappointing 2005 with eight DNF's 17 starts.
His best results were a pair of sixth-place finishes in the road course events held at Infineon Raceway and Watkins Glen International.
"I have learned a lot these past two years, even through the bad luck we had last season, and feel that we will be very strong in 2006," said Matsuura. "I want to thank Aguri and Adrian for their support and for giving me this opportunity. I am ready to challenge for not only race wins, but the championship as well."
Matsuura will begin preparations for the new season this week with the IndyCar Series Open Test at Phoenix International Raceway on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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