Charles Zwolsman came to America to showcase his racing talent, a feat that
he not only accomplished but the Dutch racing sensation did it in fine
style. He scored three wins in the 2005 Toyota Atlantic Championship season
in his rookie year, amassed 306 points with eight podiums and five poles on
his way to the drivers' title, along with the Rookie of the Year
championship.
 |
|
Podium: 2005 Atlantic Series champion Charles Zwolsman celebrates. Photo by Eric Gilbert.
|
 |
He did not have to wait long for an encore: Team Australia had a vacant seat after
their announcement that Marcus Marshall was dismissed and, with one race
remaining on the Champ Car World Series calendar, the team tapped
Zwolsman to fill the spot. Naturally, he did not turn the offer down,
"The goal has been to reach the Champ Car ranks for some time and I am
really looking forward to the experience," commented Zwolsman.
His first taste driving a Champ Car will come on the 2.786-mile
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit in Mexico City -- a road course
that is not only tricky and fast but one rich in racing history.
"Charles has obviously done an outstanding job in the Toyota Atlantic
Series this season and we are pleased that we are in a position to offer
him a ride in Mexico," said co-owner Derrick Walker.
Zwolsman will have two teammates in Mexico City next weekend: Alex
Tagliani and Australian driver Will Power. The French-Canadian driver
has ran with Team Australia in their inaugural Champ Car venture. Power
slotted into a third car for his home race on the streets of Surfers
Paradise.
"Team Australia has really made an impact this season on and off the
track and I believe I will learn a lot this weekend in so many areas,"
said Zwolsman.
|
 |
|
Will Power. Photo by David Magahy.
|
The team could have simply run two cars in Mexico but as they look
toward the future, "Team Australia is all about providing opportunities
for young talent," explained co-owner Craig Gore. "And we are more than
happy to welcome Charles into our team this weekend."
An on-track test has been setup for Zwolsman on Thursday, November 3rd
on the Mexico City circuit. "I think this further demonstrates Champ
Car's support of the Atlantic series and its determination to ensure
that it is the number one feeder series to Champ Car in the future,"
Walker stated.
"That is further enhanced when you consider the lengths they have gone
to with the six-hour session on Thursday in an effort to ensure Charles
get the most from the experience."
Team Australia has already announced that they will field two cars in
the Champ Car Atlantic series in 2006. "Hopefully Team Australia will
have its own Atlantics champion at the end of next season," Gore said.
And that we can run a third car for them in Mexico after they have won
the title."
The talented Atlantic champion's life has been golden over the past
week. On top of his ride next weekend in a Champ Car, he has been
nominated for the Greg Moore Legacy Award along with Champ Car stars
Oriol Servia, Andrew Ranger and Jimmy Vasser.
The award, named after the late Greg Moore, is presented to the driver who
best reflects the talent and personality both on-track and off-track that
Moore exemplified.
"This has been a tremendous year for me personally and Condor
Motorsports," expressed Zwolsman. "I have to thank Team Australia and
Kevin Kalkhoven and his Champ Car operation for making this weekend's
ride possible."
The green flag will wave for Champ Car's first practice session at 10:15am
(CT) on Friday, November 4th. Qualifying will be held on both Friday and
Saturday, the best time of the two timed rounds will set the starting lineup
for Sunday's race. Fastest racer on Friday will notch a front row starting
position.
Sunday's race will roll off at 2:45pm (CT).
