Chris Dyson to Toyota Atlantic!

[Liz]

Atlantic At The Pacific: Dyson Announces 2005 Formula Atlantic Plans

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY March 25, 2005 -- For 32 years, the Toyota Atlantic Championship has been the foremost series of future champions. The names include Rosberg, Andretti, Villeneuve, Sullivan, Rahal, Brabham, Cobb, Unser, Hornish and Indy 500 winner Buddy Rice. Chris Dyson, already a championship driver in the American Le Mans Series, will be running selected Toyota Atlantic Championship races this year, starting with the streets of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 10.

“I’m really looking forward to competing in the Atlantic series this year,” Dyson said. “The series is competitive and the Swift chassis rewards finesse and understanding what the car is telling you. Last year we planned on doing more races but I had some European sports car opportunities that curtailed the effort. We’ve been working hard all winter to hit the ground running with a proper program in 2005.”

“We tested at Carolina Motorsports Park two weeks ago and will be testing again the week of Long Beach,” Dyson continued. “We wanted to get a handle on the new spec shock for this year. It was a beneficial test and it was good to be back in the car again.”

Chris Dyson won the 2003 American Le Mans Series LMP675 championship. Last year, Chris ran the ALMS LMP1 championship, finishing on the podium six of nine times, including two seconds and four thirds. He finished fourth in the Le Mans Endurance Series race at Silverstone, England and was the highest placed American driver at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, driving with reigning FIA Sportscar champion, Jan Lammers.

The #16 Thetford/Norcold Dyson Racing Toyota/Swift 014.a made its debut at

The Portland International Raceway last June. The Toyota Atlantic team is a division of Dyson Racing, North America’s premier sports car team. Founded by Rob Dyson, they have won 58 races and 12 championships in the past 20 years.

“Long Beach is one of the better street courses,” comments Chris. “It challenges you as a driver. It has a good long straight and a variety of braking zones and multiple passing areas. The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is one of a kind: one of those great events that grow in stature each year.”

The Imperial Capital Bank Challenge for the Toyota Atlantic Championship race will be held 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 10. TV times and dates to be announced.

Now that is a surprise to me!

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by Liz

Now that is a surprise to me!

Why suprised? He ran last year, and will do so this year when the ALMS does not conflict (5 races I think). He wants to improve his race craft, and I can't think of a better way.

[cybersdorf]

Good on him, show the single seater boys how it's done.

[billnchristy]

Ive seen him race spec racer fords at LRP 2 or 3 times now...

[paul-collins]

The current plan is 5 weekends, including both doubles. (There are five that don't conflict with ALMS, plus Road America which TAt shares with ALMS)

My guess is that Toronto loses out.

Also, both Portland and Cleveland depend on what, if anything, Chris is doing at Le Mans.

[Liz]

I'm all for it -- I think all drivers ought to compete in every class of car, to make them complete -- I just hadn't heard he was an open wheel guy before this.