Good news for the talented Oriol Servia came out of the PKV Racing camp
today, the Spaniard landed the available seat for the 2006 season. With the
signing of Servia today and Katherine Legge back in January, Jimmy Vasser
will sit out the season. Vasser is not retiring, the co-team owner and 1996
Champ Car champion will still race where and when he wants to, including
other forms of motorsports.
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Oriol Servia. Photo by Linda Rydell.
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"I think it is only appropriate that since we have a rookie in Katherine
(Legge) driving one of the PKV Racing cars that we have a veteran in the
second seat," commented Vasser. "And the best veteran out there is Oriol
Servia. I believe in Oriol's ability to get the job done 100%."
Kevin Kalkhoven, co-owner of both PKV Racing and the Champ Car World
Series, indicated at the new-generation Atlantic Swift car in January
that "we would be pleased with their choice". He was correct. Who could
doubt the expertise, the skills and the talent that Servia will bring to
the team.
As a substitute driver last year for the Newman/Haas Racing stable,
Servia filled in nicely for the injured Bruno Junqueira. As soon as he
stepped in the cockpit of the Brazilian's seat, he was charging to the
front and kept Paul Tracy, Justin Wilson, AJ Allmendinger and his now
new team owner, Jimmy Vasser, at bay.
He also showed what it took to be a team player. Sebastien Bourdais
earned his back-to-back Vanderbilt Cup but his teammate Servia place
second in the overall standings. His first career win came on Circuit
Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, he followed that up with the pole on the
streets of Surfers Paradise in Australia.
When he finally notched his first Champ Car victory, Servia simply said:
"They say the first is hard to get and I now can really say that but
they also said that it is easier for the next one."
In 2006, the Spaniard will look to notch his second career win and many
more with his new team. "I feel very lucky and very happy to have been
selected by Kevin (Kalkhoven), Dan (Pettit) and Jimmy (Vasser) to drive
the Gulfsteam/Bell Micro PKV Racing car in 2006. This is a fantastic
opportunity and I look forward to continuing the success that I had last
year."
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Podium: race winner Oriol Servia celebrates. Photo by Eric Gilbert.
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Servia tested with PKV, as did many racers, he won the seat. "We tested
several young drivers and looked at several veteran drivers," said
Kalkhoven. "After analyzing all the data, we felt the best move for the
immediate and future success of the team and our sponsors Gulfstream and
Bell Micro, was to sign a veteran driver.
"Oriol had a tremendous season last year and has proven he can compete
for the championship," Kalkhoven continued. "We believe that Oriol's
skill and knowledge will not only be an asset to the team, but will
significantly help in the development of Katherine Legge."
A well deserved honor for the 1999 Indy Lights champion who now has a
top-notch ride, his first since 2003 with Patrick Racing. "PKV Racing
is an outstanding team with veteran leadership from Jim McGee, who I
have a lot of respect for, and Jimmy Vasser, who I was hoping would be
my teammate, but is now going to be my boss," Servia said. "I think
Katherine and I will work very well together and we will be competitive
on the track."
The third owner of PKV, Dan Pettit commented, "After reviewing all the
data from the tests and the information we gathered on veteran drivers,
it became very clear to all of us that the best decision for now and for
the future success of the team was to sign Oriol. He is an outstanding
race car driver and brings a lot of technical knowledge to the team."
The first race for Legge and Servia will be on the streets of Long Beach
(California) on April 9th.
