Kaneishi confirmed for Persson CLK-DTM.

Japanese driver Katsutomo Kaneishi will start in the 2003 DTM at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz CLK-DTM fielded by the Persson-Team, the Three-Pointed Star's motorsport arm has confirmed.

The Kaneishi name already has a good reputation in German motorsport circles after cousin Toshihiro won the 2001 German Formula Three Championship, but Katsutomo is out to prove that he is worthy of adulation in his own right.

Born in Osaka in 1968, Kaneishi started his career in karting at the age of twelve, gradually progressing through the ranks to single-seaters in his homeland. After finishing fourth overall in the 1989 Japanese Formula Three Championship, he changed to the Japanese Formula 3000 Championship - today's Formula Nippon - and the Japanese GT500 Championship, in which he achieved the runner-up position in 2001.

He will be supported throughout the 2003 DTM campaign by ARTA [Autobacs Racing Team Aguri], the programme launched by former grand prix driver Aguri Suzuki to promote Japanese drivers which also fields a Nippon team and backs Roger Yasukawa in the IRL this year. Suzuki is no stranger to the DTM either, having raced an AMG Mercedes at Suzuka in 1996 when the sister International Touring Car Championship [ITC] made a one-off appearance in the orient.

"Aguri always told about this series very enthusiastically, and this was one of the reasons why I wanted to participate in the DTM," Kaneishi explained, "This is the series for the best touring car drivers in the world, and therefore it also has a high reputation in Japan. I'm happy to be part of the Mercedes-Benz team and I'll work hard to perform well in this highly competitive championship."

Kaneishi will drive a 2002 model Mercedes-Benz CLK-DTM, which he first became acquainted with during the DTM away-day test at the new Adria International Raceway near Venice in Italy.

"Katsutomo has gained experience in the Japanese Formula Nippon and GT Championship, but, of course, he will need some time to get used to the DTM," said Mercedes' vice-president of motorsport Norbert Haug, "However, we look forward to having him with us, and so do the many Japanese DTM fans."

Three-times DTM champion and 2002 runner-up Bernd Schneider, Christijan Albers, Jean Alesi, Uwe Alzen, Marcel F?ssler, Thomas J?ger, Bernd Mayl?nder and Stefan M?cke complete an experienced and well-known 2003 Mercedes-Benz driver line-up alongside Kaneishi.