Siedler next European to test Champ Car.

Austrian Norbert Siedler is to follow in the recently-taken footsteps of Christijan Albers, Nicky Pastorelli and Timo Glock by crossing the Atlantic to sample a Champ Car with the view to possibly joining the World Series this season.

Although few definite seats appear vacant for 2005, Siedler, who spent the year racing - and winning - in the final Euro 3000 campaign, has admitted that he wants to know what potential the series holds for him. He had been thought most likely to contest the inaugural Formula Superfund championship in 2005 but, with the series on the backburner following technical difficulties, the Austrian is preparing to set his sights elsewhere.

Siedler already has a long-standing offer to test from ex-pat Scot Derrick Walker, who appears happy to run as many European hopefuls as necessary, and, a year on from his maiden F1 test with Minardi, the Austrian is heading to the United States for a run on the road course Homestead-Miami Speedway next Tuesday.

"We definitely want to get a clear picture of this series," Siedler said, ahead of his first taste of the 750bhp cars that populate the alive-again championship.

With a recently-confirmed television deal between Champ Car and Eurosport ready to roll, Siedler's management is considering the US series as a viable alternative to the plethora of single-seater options currently available closer to home.

"The series is extremely well promoted and therefore it would be a perfect marketing platform for Norbert's sponsors," manager Edi Nikolic claimed, "However, there are also other discussions up in the air - including one that would be combined with a testing package in Formula One."

Siedler is expected to make his decision on where he will race over the three weeks following his Champ Car test.