Written by:
Kevin Krefting
03/14/2007
Indianapolis, Ind.
Perera showed instant speed on his maiden Atlantic test, topping the charts at Monterey. (LAT Photo)
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Condor Motorsports confirmed today that it has signed Frenchman Franck Perera to a full-time Champ Car Atlantic campaign this season.
Perera, a 22-year-old Frenchman, raised eyebrows during the Atlantic Open Test at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca earlier this month, when he topped the timesheets on both days despite having never sat in an Atlantic car before.
"I am first of all delighted to be able to continue expand my racing career in the USA in the very competitive Champ Car Atlantic series," said Perera, who was one of the few drivers who managed to beat now McLaren F1 rookie Lewis Hamilton in go-karts on a regular basis but ended up 17th in the GP2 Series standings topped by Hamilton last year.
"Atlantic is the only championship in the world which offers such unique prize money with direct access into Champ Car.
"I am proud to join Condor Motorsports, who put together a great car for me in the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca testing days and allowed me to be immediately competitive in the sessions," he added. "I can't wait to start the series and hopefully help Carlos and the team get their crown back."
"We're all very excited and happy to welcome Franck to the team," said team owner Carlos Bobeda, whose operation won the '05 title with Charles Zwolsman. "He is clearly a very special talent and the team developed good chemistry with him from the first minute he got into the car."
