Skerlongs Renews Deal with USRT for 2008 Season

Mukilteo, Washington (September 27, 2007) – Seattle’s Carl Skerlong will return to the Cooper Tires Presents The Champ Car Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda in 2008 having concluded a deal to continue to race for the California-based US RaceTronics team for his sophomore season.

Skerlong enjoyed a solid rookie season in 2007 with US RaceTronics, piloting the 300bhp #24 King Taco-backed Swift Mazda-Cosworth to 10th overall in the Driver Standings and a pair of podium finishes which included a second-place effort in April’s third round in Houston , Texas and a third-place finish last month in Round 12, the season finale, at Elkhart Lake , Wisconsin .

“I can’t wait for the 2008 season to start,” Skerlong stated enthusiastically upon signing his new deal.  “We finished this year’s campaign with another podium and I stated afterwards that I wanted to use that as a springboard into next season.  There’s no doubt that continuity can play a big factor in being successful in motorsport and I believe that with US RaceTronics we’ve got everything in place to push for the title in my sophomore year.  Things didn’t always go our way this season but armed with everything I’ve learned and my circuit knowledge I’m looking forward to being back with the team in 2008 and turning the potential we showcased many times into results.”

The 18-year-old American, who arrived in the Champ Car Atlantic Championship this season as the reigning Formula TR Pro Series Champion, impressed many paddock observers with his character and style, a fact that didn’t go unnoticed by US RaceTronics team boss, Shane Seneviratne.

“I’m obviously delighted to have secured Carl’s talents for US RaceTronics and the PCM Junior Team for 2008,” Seneviratne commented.  “He did a great job for us this year and I know there was considerable interest shown in him by other teams based on his performances with us.  I’m extremely pleased that he’s staying with US RaceTronics and our collective goal is to put together a bid to win the 2008 Champ Car Atlantic Championship.”

2007 marked US RaceTronics third season in the Champ Car Atlantic Championship, the team running Skerlong and Mexico ’s David Garza throughout the season.  In June the squad became part of the PCM Junior Team, the driver and team development program created by Champ Car World Series outfit and fellow California residents, Pacific Coast Motorsports (PCM).

 As a result of this relationship, Carl looks set to sample the might of one of PCM’s 750bhp Champ Car DP01’s in a post-season test, the team currently fielding America ’s Alex Figge and Mexico ’s Mario Dominguez in the 2007 Champ Car World Series.

“We’re actively seeking to strengthen our partnership with Pacific Coast Motorsports ahead of next season,” stated US RaceTronics’ Seneviratne.  He added, “As part of that deal we’re also looking to confirm a test date for Carl to sample one of the team’s Champ Cars!”