Brack returns to IRL with Rahal, Miller, Pioneer.

Team Rahal and Honda Performance Development Inc have confirmed the speculation that former CART pilot Kenny Brack will re-sign to the squad for his return to the oval only Indy Racing League next year.

The partnership will see Team Rahal run a full-season entry in the IRL for the first time, having previously dipped its toe in the water with at the Indy 500 with Jimmy Vasser. IRL champion in 1998 and 1999 Indianapolis 500 winner, Brack will drive the single-car entry, sponsored by Pioneer Electronics [USA] Inc and the Miller Brewing Company.

Pioneer, recognised as a leader in technology advancements in the consumer electronics industry, joins long-time Rahal sponsor Miller for the programme. Last season's Indianapolis 500 assault was backed by the brewer as it celebrated ten years with the team's Champcar programme.

"Today, we start a new chapter in Team Rahal's history with this announcement," said team co-owner Bobby Rahal, the 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner, "The opportunity to work again with Kenny Brack, a championship driver whom I hold in high regard, and to team up with Honda, Ilmor, Pioneer and our long-time partners at Miller Brewing on this programme made it an ideal opportunity.

"We're excited to continue our long-standing partnership with Bobby Rahal, David Letterman and everyone at Team Rahal," commented Steve Lauletta, director of event and sports marketing at the brewer, "Miller Brewing has been a sponsor of Bobby and his race team since 1992, and we have enjoyed many successes during our time together. Bobby has also been a great ambassador for Miller Lite, as both a driver and team owner.

"Having Kenny Brack as part of the programme is a bonus. We have worked with Kenny before, and he does a great job both on and off the track. With his being a former Indianapolis 500 champion, we are really looking forward to making it 'Miller Time' in May at the Speedway, as well as the rest of the season."

This programme marks a reunion between Team Rahal and Honda, an alliance that began in 1993 when the auto manufacturer entered Indy-style racing. After a year of testing, Team Rahal entered two Honda-powered Lola cars in 1994.

"For me personally, it means a great deal for Team Rahal to once again be involved with Honda," Rahal admitted, "Given our history together, and how closely we worked together to bring Honda into open-wheel racing, to be asked by Honda to be part of this project is a great honour."

"We're excited to have the opportunity to reunite with Team Rahal and team owner Bobby Rahal, who played such an important role in our entry into Indycar racing in 1994," added Robert Clarke, general manager of Honda Performance Development, "We also look forward to establishing a relationship with former Indy 500 and IRL champion Kenny Brack. Kenny has proven to be a race and championship winner in the past, and he and Team Rahal will fill an important position within the Honda-powered line-up next season."

Pioneer is a new addition to the team's sponsorship line-up, having previously being involved with the Walker Racing and Mo Nunn CART teams. Pioneer Electronics USA, which backed Walker's team over the past two seasons, will also be involved with Tora Takagi next season, following his confirmation as part of the Mo Nunn Racing IRL squad.

"We're proud to have this incredibly talented group of racing professionals sporting the Pioneer red logo on their vehicles and racing suits this year," said Ed Sachs, executive vice president at the company, "As the leading provider of in-car audio and video technology, our motorsports sponsorships expose the Pioneer brand to millions of consumers through television and on-site activities. It also gives us a great opportunity to establish retail promotions for world-renowned events like the Indy 500."

This will be Brack's second tenure with Team Rahal, after the 36-year old drove one of the team's two entries in CART during 2000-01, finishing fourth and second in the championship respectively. Brack collected four wins, eleven top-three finishes and 24 top-ten results in that time - something he was unable to reproduce with Chip Ganassi in 2002.

"Rejoining Bobby and the rest of Team Rahal, and having the chance to work with Honda and two world-class sponsors in Pioneer and Miller Lite made this a great situation," the Swede said, "We had a lot of success in my two years at Team Rahal, and I am looking forward to continuing that success."

Brack won four IRL races between 1997-99 before moving to the CART series. He captured the 1998 series title and the 1999 Indianapolis 500 in a car owned by AJ Foyt, and finished second in the 1999 championship standings. Brack won three consecutive races during the 1998 season, which still stands as a league record.

"A lot has changed in the IRL since my last season in 1999, but I am confident that between Honda and Team Rahal, I will have everything I need to be successful," he said.

The Pioneer/Miller Lite entry for Team Rahal will use a Dallara chassis and the obligatory Firestone tyres for the 16-race IRL schedule, which kicks off at Homestead in March. The team will announce the formal make-up of its IRL team, including team manager, engineers and support staff in the near future. The team expects delivery of its first Dallara in mid-December, and plans are already underway to begin testing in early January at Homestead.