PKV name new technical director.

PKV Racing has announced the signing of former Penske and Herdez Competition engineer Tom Brown as its new technical director.

Brown, who has worked alongside drivers including Emerson Fittipaldi, Patrick Carpentier and Helio Castroneves, will take over the role from Steve Challis and his responsibilities will include the organisation and direction of the team's engineering staff and programmes.

Brown will also act as race engineer for former Champ Car title winner Cristiano da Matta who is making his return to the series this season with the PKV team.

"I am very pleased to be joining PKV Racing," he said. "I have worked with some very strong teams and outstanding drivers in my career, but this is one of the best and strongest organisations I have ever been associated with.

"When you have the chance to work for a team that is led by someone as well respected as Jim McGee, includes drivers the calibre of Cristiano da Matta and Jimmy Vasser and had a very talented group of engineers and mechanics, you seize the opportunity.

"I am looking forward to working with everyone at PKV Racing and helping them achieve their goal of winning races and contending for championships."

PKV Racing General Manager Jim McGee welcomed Brown to the team and also paid tribute to Challis for the work he did during his time as technical director.

"I have known Tom Brown for many years and I am pleased to be able to have someone of his experience and talent join our team," he said. "Tom is an outstanding engineer who brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and insight to PKV Racing. His qualifications are second to none when it comes to engineering race cars and we look forward to working with him for many years to come.

"Steve Challis did an outstanding job as technical director. He took the team to the next level of competitiveness as evidenced by the fact that PKV Racing earned both its best starting and finishing positions during his tenure."

Brown will get his first on-track exposure as PKV Racing's technical director at a test on the Milwaukee Mile next week.