Great news for Servia

[tanalised]

from Champweb:

2002-12-06
Patrick Racing announces...
U. E. “Pat” Patrick announced today that Visteon Corporation will continue as the primary sponsor for the #20 Visteon/Patrick Racing entry and that Oriol Servia will drive for the team during the 2003 Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford.

“I am pleased to announce today the continuation of Visteon Corporation’s sponsorship of the #20 Visteon/Patrick Racing entry in the 2003 Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford,” Patrick began. “I am also happy to say that Oriol Servia will drive for our team.

“Visteon has been a tremendous sponsor and outstanding partner over the past five years and we look forward to continuing the relationship through the 2003 season,” Patrick said. “I am also excited about having Oriol driving the complete season for our team. He did a fine job for us after taking over at mid-season last year and is a tremendous talent. We are pleased to be able to give him the opportunity to continue to race with our team and are looking forward to challenging for the championship in 2003,” Patrick concluded.

The 2003 season will be the sixth year of Patrick Racing’s alliance with Visteon Corporation. Visteon Corporation is a leading full-service supplier that delivers consumer-driven technology solutions to automotive manufacturers worldwide and through multiple channels within the global automotive aftermarket. Visteon has approximately 79,000 employees and a global delivery system of more than 180 technical, manufacturing, sales, and service facilities located in 25 countries.

Servia, 28, originally joined Visteon/Patrick Racing at the end of July for a five-race trial. The native of Pals, Catalonia, Spain impressed the team with both his knowledge and driving skill and was signed to campaign the remainder of the year. Servia ran the first three races of the season for PacWest Racing. When PWR ceased operations he sat out the next six contests before making his debut with Visteon/Patrick Racing. During the 2003 season, Servia finished in the points in eight of the 13 races he contested and five of ten with Visteon/Patrick Racing. He had six top-ten showings in his 13 starts, four coming with Visteon/Patrick Racing. Servia had two top-five finishes, both with Visteon/Patrick Racing, a fifth place performance at Fontana and a season high fourth place showing at the Rockingham 500 in Corby, England. The resident of Miami, Florida placed 16th in the standings with 44 points. Servia will be entering his fourth year of Champ Car competition in 2003.

“I am very proud and happy that Mr. Patrick has the confidence to allow me to continue racing with the Visteon/Patrick Racing Team and I want to thank him for this opportunity,” Servia began. “I also want to thank Visteon Corporation and the entire Visteon/Patrick Racing Team for their support. We didn’t achieve all of our goals last year, but we worked hard and made a lot of progress during the second half of the season. I am looking forward to continuing to develop with the team and contending for the championship in 2003,” he concluded. Patrick Racing enters the 2003 season, its 31st year of open wheel competition, as one of the most successful teams in the history of USAC Championship Car (Indy Car)/CART racing. Patrick drivers have started 769 races, earning 45 victories including three Indianapolis 500 titles and two national championships. Considered one of the premier teams, Patrick Racing is owned and led by one of the most respected names in CART, U. E. “Pat” Patrick. Patrick became involved in racing in the sixties as a sponsor. By 1970 he had founded his own team and in 1978 became the co-founder of Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART). General Manager Jim McGee oversees the team’s operation from its Indianapolis, Indiana base. McGee, who is entering his 44th year of USAC Championship Car (Indy Car)/CART competition, has amassed the most victories by a manager/chief mechanic with 89. His record includes four Indianapolis 500 titles and nine national championships. Visteon/Patrick Racing concluded the 2002 season with eight points paying performances in 19 races including six top-ten and three top-five finishes. The team’s best showing were a pair of fourth place finishes. The first was by Townsend Bell at Portland and the second by Servia at Rockingham.