ALEX TAGLIANI RE-SIGNS WITH TEAM AUSTRALIA

Courtesy Team Australia

Alex Tagliani has re-signed to drive for Team Australia in this year’s Bridgestone Presents Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford.

Tagliani, who was a valuable part of Team Australia’s inaugural season last year, will partner young Australian Will Power in a two-car assault on this year’s championship, which begins in Long Beach California this weekend.

The Canadian, who has an Australian wife Bronte, finished seventh in last year’s championship with nine top-10 finishes from 13 rounds, including podium finishes in both Monterrey, Mexico and Toronto, Canada.

He only finished outside the top nine once in the last nine races of the season. Team Australia made its debut in the Champ Car World Series in 2005 and is co-owned and run by experienced team manager Derrick Walker in partnership with Australian businessman Craig Gore.

Tagliani and Power will be two of the main draw cards at this year’s Lexmark Indy 300 on the streets of Queensland’s Gold Coast from October 19-22.

“I am thrilled to be back as part of Team Australia this season,” said Tagliani.

“I think we really achieved a lot in our first year, especially considering it was the first time the team had run the Lola chassis. This season we will continue to build on where we left off last year.

Gore, also owner of the Wright Patton Shakespeare-backed V8 Supercar team in Australia, said he was delighted to have “Tag” back as part of the team.

“Alex back again is good news for our team. The combination of Will Power and Alex Tagliani is going to be a strong driver line up for us.

“I think Alex certainly punched above his weight last year and produced some terrific results including a couple of podium finishes.

“He is a dedicated and focused guy who is a valuable part of what we do.”

Walker, one of the most experienced team owner/managers in Champ Car, will also be happy to see Tagliani back behind the wheel of a Team Australia car this year.

“It’s great to have Alex back, he worked real hard for us last year and with Will Power and additional engineering talent, I think we are in good shape," said Walker.”On the 26th and 27th of March we tested in Sebring, Florida for our pre season test and were very happy with the results. It was very encouraging for sure.”

In addition the Team Australia program includes a two car line up in the Formula Atlantic series with young talented Australian driver James Davison and French driver Simon Pagenaud.

Both drivers have settled in nicely with the team which tested at the Californian Speedway in Fontana on March 21 and 22, putting the new Mazda-powered Swift Atlantic cars through their paces.