Patrick confirms Toyota, Moreno and Visteon.

Despite the championship-winning form of Ford's latest Champcar engine, another of its customers has opted for rivals Toyota next season.

Patrick Racing, which ended the season second and third overall behind Penske's Gil de Ferran, has confirmed that it will be joining Newman-Haas Racing in switching from Cosworth power to Toyota in 2001. The Japanese marque enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2000, scoring five wins with Chip Ganassi Racing and PPI, and is seen as the engine to have next year as it continues to improve.

"We are very pleased to be associated with such a great company as Toyota," revealed team boss Pat Patrick, "Obviously, they have dedicated a tremendous amount of resources to make this a very successful programme, which was proven on the track this year. We look forward to contributing and adding to that success in years to come."

Given the team's own success in 2000, when Adrian Fernandez and Roberto Moreno both challenged for the CART drivers' title, Toyota was also pleased with the link-up.

"Patrick Racing has, undoubtedly, been one of the elite teams in Champcar racing since CART's inception in 1979," said Jim Aust, Toyota's VP of motorsports, "They finished second in the championship this year, and we feel that Toyota can help them to even greater accomplishments in 2001."

A day of announcements from the team also confirmed that both Moreno and sponsor Visteon would remain on board into 2001. The Brazilian, the oldest man in the CART series, achieved his first victory at Cleveland mid-season, and remained in contention for the Vanderbilt Cup right to the final race of the year - where he finished second on the road.

"We are very pleased to have Roberto back with the Visteon/Patrick Racing team," Patrick said, "His contributions this year were instrumental to the success of the team's effort and, now that he has a year's experience of racing in a competitive situation, he will be even stronger in the coming season.

"We are also extremely happy to have the Visteon Corporation back for the next few years. We have developed a very strong and successful partnership with them and look forward to continued success in the years to come."

The 41-year old Moreno, for so long the 'supersub' of Champcar racing, was happy to re-sign with Patrick, after the team gave him the chance to prove that he could be more than just a bit-part player in the series.

"I am very happy to be driving the Visteon/Patrick Racing Toyota next year," the Brazilian said, "Throughout my career, I have spent the off-season looking for sponsors, equipment and teams, so it is very gratifying to have everything in place, and just have to worry about preparing for next season. The team had a great year this season but, with a little luck and the support of Visteon and Toyota, hopefully we can go two places better this coming season."

Moreno's team-mate has still to be announced for next year, following the departure of Adrian Fernandez to start his own squad. The Mexican finished second overall to de Ferran in 2000, and no replacement has yet been lined up. Britain's Johnny Herbert looked a possibility before the team switched to Toyota power, and it is likely that Japan's FNippon champion Tora Takagi may now ink a deal.

One spanner in the works, however, is the rumour that 1996 CART champion Jimmy Vasser was spotted at the team's base last week, and could be on the verge of signing a deal that would enable him to continue working with Toyota. The American had been linked to a seat at Mo Nunn's soon-to-be Honda-powered operation.