2003 Barber Dodge Pro Champion Leo Maia to IPS

[rustyfan]

As the title says, the 2003 Barber Dodge Pro Champion Leo Maia is going to the IPS and Brian Stewart Racing.

Has to be considered a good thing for IPS - SpeedTV reports;

IPS - Leo Maia Signs with Brian Stewart Racing
Written by: Rick Roso
Phoenix, Ariz. – 3/16/2004

Leo Maia, the 2003 Barber Dodge Pro Series champion, has signed a deal with Brian Stewart Racing to drive one of its Infiniti-powered Dallaras alongside teammate Jesse Mason for the rest of the 2004 season. The deal comes after a very successful test at Texas Motor Speedway on Monday the 15th; Maia's first race will be this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway.

Maia, 22, of Oakland, Calif., who won six of 10 starts in the 2003 Barber Dodge championship -- including an impressive win on Milwaukee's oval -- will take his $100,000 Career Enhancement title bonus to the same team that has over its long history fielded winning cars for a host of noted drivers, including Bryan Herta, Cristiano da Matta and Paul Tracy.

"I'm very grateful for the support I've gotten the past three years from Skip Barber Racing, and they helped make this happen,” Mais said. “This is a great opportunity, with an excellent team."

Regarding the Texas test, Maia said, "Sure, I had my concerns about running a big oval, but things went great, and after about six laps, I felt comfortable, no problems. I'm really looking forward to the year."

Doug Hoy, Brian Stewart Racing team manager, said, "Leo really exceeded our expectations. At Texas, I just wanted him to get comfortable, but the next thing I know he's out there doing 190 and giving us really good feedback." Hoy said that Johnny Rutherford was the IRL observer, "and he told me he was quite impressed with Leo's speed and management -- and he noticed that Leo was only four-tenths off last year's pole time."

Hoy added that he and the team are excited to have two young, up-and-coming drivers on the squad: "We are very proud of our Canadian heritage, and so having Jesse Mason [an Ontario native who scored the team's first IPS podium Feb. 29 at Homestead] doing a great job is satisfying. Now with Leo on-board, we have two very talented youngsters, and we expect to really move forward this year."

[climb]

Good news indeed, the series needs new forces to join

[MLM]

Well, well, well.....
No Atlantics or BMW for him.Another loss for the OWRS system.

[gomick]

very good - a quality driver and another # for the ips grid

[Snrub]

That definately hurts Atlantics. He's a very good driver.