USA: Gelles Racing adds Zartarian for 2006

Formula BMW USA team completed
Gelles Racing adds John Zartarian to line-up

Front Royal, March 5th, 2006. -- Team owner Bob Gelles announced today John Zartarian would join his Formula BMW USA Team in 2006. The Five-Star brigade will now become a six-bullet Colt with this fine driver returning to the team he completed the season with last year. "John (Zartarian) was the only driver we were looking after to complete our team, claimed Gelles. He ran a double header with us in Road Atlanta at the end of the season and we know from this experience he will be a strong favorite to win in the series in 2006. John has already tested with us and his times reflected his understanding of the FB02 and how he can tune this racing machine with our engineering staff."

"I had my ups and downs last year, continued the 19-year old second-year driver from Carlsbad, California. I started the season strong with two fourth places in the first three rounds and three Top Ten in Laguna Seca and Mid-Ohio. Then Canada was a nightmare when I was caught up in two accidents in a row. Things did not get any better in Indianapolis, so I decided to take a break from the series and got back for the season finale with Gelles Racing. My seventh place in Road Atlanta after running as high as 3rd proved I belonged to this series and Gelles was the only team I wanted to compete this year because they are so professional in every aspect."

Partnership for the future

Gelles Racing has joined in a partnership with Kart Racing Technologies and High-Rev Engineering to develop and graduate karters from entry level direct drive Baby Kart /Cadet Karts all the way through Formula BMW USA -- Champ Car Atlantic onto Champ Car World Series within the same organization. "I have known Marc Zartarian for 12-years, added Gelles, and I won WKA Championships on his High-Rev Engineering powered Enduro Karts in the late 90's with his well prepared products. At long last, we have embarked on a mutually beneficial journey in business that will reward both our customers in Motorsport. Marc will continue blanketing the front of the karting championship fields with his fine drivers, karts and engines proving his significant accomplishments daily in IKF, WKA, SDKA, SKUSA, Rotax & Stars across the country. We feel we can give the proven drivers opportunities to step up to professional ladder series with us. Together we will put Kart Racing Technologies and Gelles Racing on the map.

Testing in March

Gelles Racing will continue its winter testing season in Road Atlanta this week. Driving the BMW of Sterling #6 car, John Zartarian will join Ryan Campbell, Adien Herberts, Maxime Pelletier, Sebastien Saavedra and Joel Jackson for these sessions.

In 2006, Gelles Racing will enter the Formula BMW USA Championship and the Champ Car Atlantic Championship. Western Union, BMW of Sterling, USA TODAY, Hebert & LeBleu and Care Centric sponsor the team.

-gellesracing.com