Kevin Lacroix had a victory to celebrate, even before the start of this weekend’s race; he had just signed an agreement that gives him a seat for 2008 with one of the best teams in the field, the team of the well-known Derrick Walker. The owner of the Walker Racing Team, who wants to renew with success after a tough 2007 season, was proud to announce that he had just signed one of the best hopefuls in motorsports.

Kevin Lacroix impressed many this season with an unexpected win in Portland on his second career start in Champ Car Atlantic, at the wheel of the very modest Brooks Associates Racing Team, in addition to score three Top 10s in seven starts. During the past few years, the Quebec driver has built himself a strong winning reputation by taking the runner-up title in Formula BMW-USA in 2005, before doing it again in the Star Mazda series in 2006, although he missed the first race of the season. He also won the Rookie of the Year title in this highly competitive series.

Derrick Walker was aware that the young driver would be in great demand after this season, he then hurried up to come up to Kevin with a contract offer, he didn’t want to see Kevin slip between his fingers and join another team. The negotiations went smoothly as both parties wanted to come to an understanding quickly. It was then important for Walker to act rapidly since many quality seats will be available by the end of the season.

Reached on the phone, Kevin Lacroix couldn’t hide his joy. “It’s an opportunity that I’ve been waiting for for so long, said Kevin. I now have the chance to join a great team and I will have the tools to fight for the title next year. My goal is nothing less than the 2 million dollar purse given to the champion in order to upgrade to Champ Car the following year. It is an opportunity I do not want to miss and that may never present itself.”

Kevin Lacroix is a determined young man who strongly believes in his means and in himself. His adversaries will now have to deal with a serious contender for the 2008 championship.

“We will have the opportunity to be well prepared for next year. I will take part in the practices over the winter and I will meet with my teammates at the factory in Indianapolis, continues Kevin. I will be able to concentrate on getting ready for the season instead of worrying about finding a seat for next year. I am very happy that everything is wrapped up at this time of year”, concludes Kevin.

A race in December
Even if the race in Road America concludes this current season, the Champ Car Atlantic series holds an invitational race. This race will be held during the last Champ Car weekend in Phoenix on December 2nd. A total of 300 000$ in purse will be in play, 100 000$ will be awarded to the winner of the race. The series champion, Rafael Matos, is not eligible to take part in this race. Kevin may well be wearing Walker’s colors for the very first time during this round. This event is the perfect opportunity for Kevin to familiarize himself with his new team in a race situation as well as having good chances of taking the honors.

A possible agreement thanks to the implication of several partners
To climb the steps in motorsports without strong sponsors is nearly impossible. Kevin Lacroix finds himself very lucky to count on the backing of several prestigious firms who joined forces to give Kevin a new start in his career. Underline the constant implication of the Uni-Select Group, one of the biggest auto parts independent wholesaler, directed by its president Mr. Jacques Landreville and his team of directors, Mr. Wayne Deans co-founder of Deans Knight, a leader in finance and business management and of the Canadian, Mr. Steve Caudwell, founder of the WasteCo company, working in the recovering and recycling fields.

Kevin Lacroix: “I want to sincerely thank this group of business for their implication in my career. Their support will allow me to take a new step at the wheel of the Uni-Select – Walker Racing car and to get closer to my ultimate goal, to race at the highest level in motorsorts. In conclusion, I want to thank John Brooks for giving me the opportunity to reach the Champ Car Atlantic series this year and to all the team members of the Brooks Associates Racing who worked hard to give me a competitive car.”