CHAMPCAR/CART: Patrick Racing signs Servia for rest of season

JACKSON, MI - - SEPTEMBER 5, 2002 - - U. E. "Pat" Patrick announced today that Oriol Servia will pilot the #20 Visteon/Patrick Racing entry, with Toyota power and Bridgestone tires, for the remainder of the 2002 FedEx Championship Series season.

Servia, 28, who originally joined Visteon/Patrick Racing at the end of July for a five-race trial, has impressed the team with both his knowledge and tremendous driving talent.

"Oriol has done a good job for the Visteon/Patrick Racing Team since joining us over a month ago," said Patrick. "He is a tremendous driving talent who has worked very well with our engineering staff and mechanics. We are pleased to be able to give him the opportunity to continue racing with our team as we pursue our goal of winning races," Patrick concluded.

Servia, who is in his third CART season (48 starts), has been competitive in every event he has contested this season. However, a series of incidents that can only be described as "bad luck" have conspired to prevent him from finishing among the leaders during his brief tenure with Visteon/Patrick Racing.

"I am very proud and happy that Mr. Patrick has the confidence in me to allow me to continue racing with the Visteon/Patrick Racing Team," Servia said. "We have been very competitive, but have not achieved the results we wanted. I am grateful for the chance to continue the work the Visteon/Patrick Racing Team has started. With the progress we have made so far, these next five events should give us the opportunity to reach our goal of winning races," Servia concluded.

Servia began the year by running the first three races with Pac West Racing. When PWR ceased operations he sat out the next six contests before making his debut with Visteon/Patrick Racing. Servia has finished in the points in five of his eight starts this year and in the top-ten three times including a season best sixth place showing in Japan. He is 19th in the championship race with 18 points.

-pr-