US RaceTronics Confirms Skerlong for 2008

US RaceTronics is delighted to confirm that Seattle’s Carl Skerlong will return to the team in 2008 for a second season of competition in the Cooper Tires Presents The Champ Car Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda.

Skerlong enjoyed a solid rookie season in 2007 with the California-based team, piloting the 300bhp #24 King Taco-backed Swift Mazda-Cosworth to 10th overall in the Driver Standings and a pair of podium finishes in Houston and Elkhart Lake respectively. 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."

Carl Skerlong is equally pleased with his continued association with US RaceTronics and the PCM Junior Team.

“I can’t wait for the 2008 season to start," Skerlong stated enthusiastically. “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 season. 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 into results."

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 Pacific Coast Motorsports (PCM).

The association between US RaceTronics and Pacific Coast Motorsports has continued to develop with Seneviratne going on to add, “We’re actively seeking to strengthen our partnership with Pacific Coast Motorsports ahead of next season and as part of that deal we’re also looking to confirm a test date for Carl to sample one of their Champ Cars. While we don’t have anything further to announce at this stage we are negotiating with Pacific Coast with regards to further developing our relationship and we hope to make the outcome of these discussions public shortly."