POUGHKEEPSIE, NY, MAR. 25, 2005 — For 32 years, the Toyota Atlantic Championship has been the foremost series of future champions. The names include Rosberg, Andretti, Villeneuve, Sullivan, Rahal, Brabham, Vasser, Unser, Tracy, and Indy 500 winner Buddy Rice. Chris Dyson, already a championship driver in the American Le Mans Series, will be running selected Toyota Atlantic Championship races this year, starting with the streets of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 10.
“I amreally looking forward to competing in the Atlantic series this year,” Dyson said. “The series is competitive and the Swift chassis rewards finesse and understanding what the car is telling you. Last year we planned on doing more races but I had some European sports car opportunities that curtailed our effort. We have been working hard all winter to hit the ground running with a proper program in 2005.”
“We tested at Carolina Motorsports Park two weeks ago and will be testing again the week of Long Beach, Dyson continued. “We wanted to get a handle on the new spec shock for this year. It was a beneficial test and it was good to be back in the car again.”
Chris Dyson won the 2003 American Le Mans Series LMP675 championship. Last year, Chris ran the ALMS LMP1 championship, finishing on the podium six of nine times, including two seconds and four thirds. He finished fourth in the Le Mans Endurance Series race at Silverstone, England and was the highest placed American driver at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, driving with reigning FIA Sportscar champion, Jan Lammers.
The #16 Thetford/Norcold Dyson Racing Toyota/Swift 014.a made its debut at The Portland International Raceway last June. The Toyota Atlantic team is a division of Dsyon Racing, North America`s premier sports car team. Founded by Rob Dyson, they have won 58 races and 12 championships in the past 20 years.
“Long Beach is one of the better street courses,” comments Chris. “It challenges you as a driver. It has a good long straight and a variety of braking zones and multiple passing areas. The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is one of a kind: one of those great events that grow in stature each year.”
The Imperial Capital Bank Challenge for the Toyota Atlantic Championship race will be held 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 10. TV times and dates to be announced.