CHAMP CAR: Glock signs with Rocketsports

Sounds like the new Schumacher... and I thought they signed him (and dumped Tag) because he's showing up with $4 million for Gentilozzi.... Silly me. (g.m.)

LANSING, MI – Rocketsports Racing announced today that it has signed a deal with former Formula One driver Timo Glock to drive the team’s second entry for the 2005 Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford season. The young German driver will pilot the No. 8 DHL Global Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone starting at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 8-10.

The 23 year old was the first driver to graduate to Formula One through the Deutsche Post’s "Speed Academy”. Glock started his driving career at the age of 15, winning several karting championships before moving to and winning two championships in the BMW Formula ADAC Series. In 2002 and 2003, Glock competed in the International German Formula 3 Championship and International Formula 3 Euro Series respectively.

Recognized as one of the most promising young German drivers by Formula One team owner Eddie Jordan, Glock landed a permanent test driver position with Jordan in 2004. While in Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix, circumstances moved Glock from Friday test driver to Sunday race driver. He was one of the few drivers in Formula One to score points during his debut when he finished seventh.

Glock looked toward Champ Car after Jordan sold the F1 team at the end of 2004. “I decide right away to look at Champ Car,” said Glock. “With the class of drivers in the series, the 2005 championship will be extremely competitive and portray it as the world-class series that it is.

After our first test I was impressed with the strength of the Rocketsports crew and my engineer, David Watson. After Fontana I came to enjoy working with the crew and Paul. Paul is a crazy team boss and a driver, so he understands me as a driver and that helps create a competitive team.”

The Rocketsports organization expanded its efforts to Champ Car in 2003 after nearly 20 years in sports car racing and four championships. In 2004, Rocketsports grew to a two car effort and captured their first professional open-wheel victory in round eight of the Champ Car World Series at Road America.

Gentilozzi echoed the thoughts of Jordan. “Timo is a very technical driver,” described Gentilozzi. “He knows what to expect with each change of the car and provides extensive input. We had very successful tests in Fontana and Sebring and feel Timo will play a role in taking us to victory circle.”

The Rocketsports duo of Glock and Ryan Hunter-Reay combines rookie and veteran talent for the upcoming season. This pairing, along with a dynamic crew under the direction of team manager Phil Howard, expects to put Rocketsports solidly into the 2005 championship battle. Glock is also a favorite to win the coveted Rookie of the Year Title.
-RSR-