Figueroa signs Atlantic deal with Scuadra Fortia.

Mexican Eduardo Figueroa has put pen to paper to ink a deal with new Latin American Toyota Atlantic outfit Scuadra Fortia for the 2002 CART-backed series.

Formerly known as Scuadra Berg-Guerrero, the team won the 2001 drivers' and teams' championships in the ILP/Formula de las Americas series in Mexico with former FIA F1 driver Allen Berg, but will now focus on the Scuadra Fortia project for its International debut.

"In less than one year, we displayed complete dominance in Mexico with Scuadra Berg-Guerrero, and we've developed a strong reputation in Mexico in a very short time." Berg explained, "After that, the four-equal partners - Ezio, Jorge and Eduardo Figueroa and myself - decided to go international with a two-car effort featuring Eduardo Figueroa as our driver and a second driver to be announced in January."

The successful team won five of the 10 races on the ILP schedule - at Aguascalientes, Zacatecas, Mexico City and twice in Guadalajara - during 2001. It also enjoyed nine podiums, one pole and started from the front row three times. In Mexico, this represented an unprecedented record for a rookie team in its maiden season.

"Our Mexican project was a five-car effort with two entries in the ILP/Formula de las Americas Championship and three entries in Mexican F3," Berg said, "In the latter, we had modest results with two young, promising rookies but, in the ILP/Formula de las Americas, we swept with all possible titles."

Berg retired as driver one race from the end of the series, having secured the ILP/Formula de las Americas driver and team championships for the squad.

"I thought it was the best way to retire - winning the race and the championships," he smiled, "Now, I want to dedicate myself to run the team, developing new driving talent and helping to promote them to the CART teams.

"We decided to go to Toyota Atlantic because it will be the premier small bore open-wheel Series in North America next year - the only series supported by CART - and the timing is right. A new chassis is coming out and the playing field will be level for all of the teams.

"After our success record in Mexico, we want to establish a Latin American team in the international arena. We feel confident that we can do it. There are several Latin drivers involved in the Toyota Atlantic Series, but just a few Latin teams. As CART will have a bigger presence in Mexico with two races in 2002 - one of which will be sharing [track time] with Toyota Atlantic - we feel this is a commercially viable option for Latin American companies interested in a motor racing related commercial investment, since the media interest and exposure will be high.

"Our long term goal is to compete at the highest level of the sport when the time is right. Now, though, we are focused on Toyota Atlantic. We are realistic that, in our first year in a new category and with drivers unfamiliar with the circuits, it will be difficult to be competitive straight away. That is not to say that we will not be out to win races. It's just that we are planning more for the long term.

"Our plan is to bring our top staff from Mexico and combine them with the best personnel available in the US to build a team that works towards one common goal, like we did it in Mexico. The equipment we are acquiring will lack nothing compared to other teams.

Having ditched Indy Lights at the end of the 2001 season, CART is poised to turn the Toyota Atlantic series into its main feeder formula. Rivalry with the IRL's recently-announced junior class will naturally be rife, but the organisers are encouraged by the interest being shown in the new-look championship.

"The CART Toyota Atlantic Championship Series is extremely pleased that the Scuadra Fortia will be joining it for the 2002 season," said Vicki O'Connor, president and CEO of the Atlantic Series.

"While the team and driver are new to the Series. I expect them to be very competitive under the leadership of Allen Berg, whose racing credentials speak for themselves and with their past experience. Their driver, Eduardo Figueroa, should be contending for the Rookie of the Year title as well as race wins."