Scott Dixon joins de Ferran Motorsports for Sebring
The 28-year-old New Zealander will be joining regular de Ferran pairing of team owner Gil de Ferran and young French star Simon Pagenaud in the 12-hour spectacular at the 3.7-mile Central Florida track and is relishing the chance to 'kick start' his season.
"What a great opportunity to be driving for de Ferran Motorsports again," enthused Dixon. "The ten-hour Petit Le Mans back in October last year was a fantastic experience for me. I loved the team's spirit and camaraderie. Like everyone else I am really looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the brand new Acura ARX-02a and will be testing with Gil and Simon for two days this week (26-30 January)."
Dixon enjoyed his most successful open-wheel racing season in 2008 scooping the Indy 500 and the IndyCar Series Championship at the wheel of the No.9 Honda Dallara for Target Chip Ganassi Racing. He has proved himself to be 'the man to beat' in the open-wheel arena and will be determined to shine for Acura in this all-important debut race for the new LMP1 machine.
de Ferran Motorsports team owner and 2003 Indy 500 winner Gil de Ferran is delighted to be including Dixon in his Sebring line-up.
"The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring is going to be a huge challenge for us," commented Gil. "It is the first race in the brand new LMP1 car, the first race of the 2009 season and the start of de Ferran Motorsports' first full season in ALMS. I am delighted to add Scott to our line-up again. We worked very well together at Petit Le Mans last year and he understands the rationale and determination of de Ferran Motorsports. We are all looking forward to the challenge."
In addition to capturing the Indy 500 and IndyCar Series Championship last year, Dixon's racing resume is outstanding with the 2003 IndyCar Series points title, 2001 CART Rookie of the Year honors, the 2000 Indy Lights points championship and the 2006 24 Hours of Daytona victory.