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| RuSport |
Team Website
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RuSPORT made its motorsports debut in 2003, with the aim of fielding a competitive effort for the Champ Car Atlantic Series Championship. Not only did RuSPORT meet that goal, the team delivered a record-breaking season. Led by young American drivers Aaron Justus and A.J. Allmendinger, the team collected the Atlantic Championship title and placed both drivers 1-2 in the Rookie of the Year honors.After building a strong foundation in their Atlantic season, RuSPORT believed it was time to raise the bar and chose to race competitively among the best in the world. In 2004, RuSPORT again met their goal, competing in the Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford and by many accounts, exceeded it. The team, led by veteran Micheal Jourdain of Mexico and rookie, A.J. Allmendinger, captured several podium finishes and an emotional double podium finish in Vancouver, B.C. after just seven starts. The season’s crowning achievement, however, was capturing the Roshfrans Rookie of the Year title for Allmendinger, becoming only the second driver in Champ Car history to win the title with a first-year team. In 2005, RuSPORT’s success continued to grow. England’s Justin Wilson replaced Jourdain behind the wheel of the #9 car, which proved to be valuable, as Wilson captured two victories at Toronto and Mexico City (leading a 1-2 finish with Allmendinger), and two Bridgestone Pole Awards, in Portland and Mexico City. Both Wilson and Allmendinger finished in the top five in Champ Car World Series Championship points – Wilson in third and Allmendinger in fifth. This marked the first time in Champ Car history that a second-year team placed two drivers among the top five in championship points. 2006 proved to be another exciting year for RuSPORT with highs and lows for both the #9 CDW team and the #10 RuSPORT team. Justin Wilson found himself without a teammate for three crucial races during the middle of the season. His multiple podium finishes and pole positions however, gave him significant standings in the Champ Car championship. Despite suffering a broken wrist in Surfers Paradise, Australia, Justin was able to drive to a second place finish in the Vanderbilt Cup driver points standings. The #10 car saw numerous drivers in 2006 with an early season departure of A.J. Allmendinger. Cristiano de Matta took over driving chores, delivering impressive drives that saw him finish in the top 5 spots on several occasions. An unfortunate accident during a test session at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin in August, ended his season forcing him to return to his home in Brazil to convalesce. The #10 car was brought back into service by Aussie driver, Ryan Briscoe. Briscoe made his debut in Surfers Paradise, Australia and finished the season in Mexico City. Ryan did a superb job, improving his performance every time he was behind the wheel. With the introduction of a new owner and a brand new chassis for 2007, RuSPORT now looks to build on the momentum of Justin’s second place championship finish and clench the Champ Car title next year. Through Dan Pettit’s leadership and the established culture that RuSPORT has successfully developed during the past four years there is no doubt the team will rise to the occasion.
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