Morad to join 2008 Champ Car Atlantic Championship

Daniel Morad

Indianapolis, Indiana – Fresh off a record-setting season that saw him crowned the 2007 Formula BMW USA Champion, seventeen-year-old Daniel Morad is making the move to the COOPER TIRE PRESENTS THE CHAMP CAR ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIP POWERED BY MAZDA for 2008. Daniel will once again join forces with Eurointernational, the team which would guide the young Canadian to the 2007 Formula BMW USA Championship. Daniel will be testing with the team at the first official practice in Sebring, Florida on February 5th.

At seventeen, Daniel will be the youngest rookie in the series this year and he is looking forward to the challenge. "We had a lot to consider about where we would race in 2008" Daniel said, "and everything started to fall into place over the past few weeks." He continued, "Once we could finalize plans to race again in North America, getting back under the Eurointernational tent was our target." Eurointernational's team principal Antonio Ferrari announced back in December they would field at least one car in the Champ Car Atlantic Championship for 2008. "Eurointernational did a fantastic job for us in winning the championship last season so what better choice to make the move up the ladder. We are very happy to be in the Champ Car Atlantic Championship and we look forward to a successful run in 2008."

"We are pleased to be working with Daniel for another season,' commented Eurointernational's Ferrari. "He is a smart young driver that brings it all to the track and works with his crew with the dedication that brings success."

Daniel will have some other duties with Eurointernational in 2008 as they will continue to field teams in both the American and European Formula BMW championships. He will serve as driver coach for members of both teams. "Daniel has great skills and the ability to communicate his experience to other young drivers" noted Ferrari. "He will be a great asset to our efforts to gain another Formula BMW championship."

With two solid years in open-wheel racing that earned him a spot on the 2007 Red Bull Junior Team, Daniel's entry into Champ Car Atlantic is garnering reaction with series officials. “We are obviously pleased to welcome Daniel to the Champ Car Atlantic Championship in 2008," said Champ Car Atlantic Managing Director Vicki O’Connor. “We’ve seen a number of talented drivers come into our series from Formula BMW USA over the past few years—including series champions such as Daniel—and those drivers have been quick to adapt to our cars. I would expect that Daniel will also adapt quickly and challenge an international field of highly-skilled competitors as a Champ Car Atlantic rookie this season."

Since completing the Formula BMW USA season, the Markham, Ontario native attended the Formula BMW World Final in Valencia, Spain winning two of three heat races, spent some time testing in Formula Renault on circuits in Europe and most recently, attended the BMW-Sauber Pit Lane Park exhibit in Las Vegas performing demonstration runs in the Formula BMW FB02. Daniel, a graduate of the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship, will also continue as a Red Bull-supported athlete in 2008. Daniel is also pleased to welcome back Metro Directories as a sponsor in his Champ car Atlantic Championship bid. "Metro Directories has been a strong supporter through my two years in Formula BMW" noted Daniel. "We are happy to have them back this year and I hope we can reward their support of my racing career."