NOVEMBER 7, 2006

Aguri switches teams

Aguri Suzuka has announced that he is switching his financial support for Kosuke Matsuura from Fernandez Racing to Panther Racing in 2007. Suzuki was the man behind the funding of the team which was created at the end of 2002, initially runner Roger Yasukawa but in 2004 switching to Suzuki protege Matsuura. The Japanese youngster won the Rookie of the Year title and in 2005 finished third at Sears Point. His best finish in 2006 was a disappointing sixth. Matsuura will continue to be sponsored in 2007 by Panasonic and Autobacs and will team up with Vitor Meira, who finished fifth in IRL this year. The announcement marks the return of Panther to being a two-car operation after running only car in 2006.

Fernandez Racing looks more and more likely to be racing only in the American Le Mans Series next year with Acura. The team has already announced that its drivers will be Adrian Fernandez and Luis Diaz with support from Lowe's.

Suzuki will continue to spend most of his time running his F1 team.