Dan Pettit buys RuSPORT
November 28, 2006

From ChampCar.ws:


RuSPORT looks forward to the 2007 season with a new owner and the new Panoz DP01

Loveland, CO, Nov. 28th, 2006 - RuSPORT has had a busy off-season welcoming their new owner and preparing for the arrival of the new for 2007 chassis, the Panoz DP01. Dan Pettit, previous co-owner of PKV Racing, became the sole owner of RuSPORT as of November 24, 2006. Dan looks to bring both his racing background and business expertise to the team. RuSPORT will remain based in Loveland, Colorado, campaigning the #9 and #10 cars in the Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford.

Dan Pettit has been involved with Champ Car racing since 2004 when he and partners, Jimmy Vasser and Kevin Kalkhoven founded PKV Racing. Dan has served as CFO and President of European Operations for JDS Uniphase Corporation and has seen multiple companies through the transition from privately held organizations to public corporations traded on the NASDAQ.

"I want to start by saying that Carl Russo has built RuSPORT into an excellent and competitive Champ Car team," ascertained Pettit. "After discussing my options with Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser at PKV Racing and Champ Car management, we decided that this purchase would be a good fit for both parties. I will be working with Kevin in the future to ensure the success of both teams. I want to thank Carl for all of his work and efforts, Kevin Kalkhoven, Jerry Forsythe, Paul Gentilozzi and Champ Car for their full support of RuSPORT and of my future ownership plans. We look forward to building upon the championship culture and traditions that Carl and the entire RuSPORT team have already established."

Jeremy Dale, RuSPORT President added "I would like to start by thanking Carl Russo for all of his support and vision these last four years. He gave all of us a great opportunity and has been a great supporter of Champ Car. We are all very thankful for that. I'm very excited about Dan Pettit and his ownership position with the team. With what Carl has created and with Dan's vision looking forward, we will continue to flourish. We are all very excited about the 2007 season, new Panoz chassis, new event venues and an individual like Dan Pettit leading the team. Dan's involvement with RuSPORT in 2007 and beyond will make things very exciting."

Carl Russo remarked, "Obviously I have mixed emotions, on the one hand, Calix, the business I have the privilege of leading, is growing rapidly and commands my attention, but on the other hand that means I am unable to devote the energy to RuSPORT that the team deserves. However I have no mixed emotions over the new leadership and direction of RuSPORT. In addition to being a veteran race-winning owner, Dan Pettit is an accomplished technology industry executive and brings a high level of financial acumen that will help the team achieve a championship in this new era of Champ Car's Panoz DP01."

RuSPORT looks forward to the first series test of the new Panoz DP01 chassis in Sebring, Florida which will be held in late January, leading to the first race of the Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series powered by Ford 2007 season on the Streets of Las Vegas, Sunday, April 8th, 2007. Las Vegas kicks off an exciting sixteen race season of the Champ Car World Series.

About RuSPORT

Founded in 2002 and based outside of Denver, Colo., RuSPORT represents the very best in professional motorsports. As part of the Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered By Ford, RuSPORT competes in 16 race events throughout North America and the Pacific Rim. RuSPORT is a two-car team featuring world class drivers, as well as outstanding crew members and support staff from Formula 1, Champ Car, IRL, NASCAR, Trans-Am and Champ Car Atlantic. For more information, please visit www.RuSPORT.com.

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