Clarke raring to go with new-look CTE team.

The Champ Car team fronted by ex Pacific F1 boss Keith Wiggins may have undergone several changes in identity since its days as Bettenhausen Motorsports and the 2006 season is no different.

One of the many changes in the team now known officially as CTE-HVM Racing in deference to main partner 'Cedric the Entertainer' is the arrival of British driver Dan Clarke, who will compete for Rookie of the Year honours with the team this year.

Clarke will join new teammate Nelson Philippe who, at just 19 years of age, is entering his third CCWS season with his third new team and despite having a 'veteran' teammate who is actually younger than him; Clarke cannot wait to get going at Long Beach this weekend.

"Wow! I am so excited to be here racing in Champ Car and especially to be racing for CTE Racing- HVM," said Clarke, who will be one of six rookies in the Long Beach field. "I've dreamt of racing in the Long Beach Grand Prix all my life. I've been fortunate to race on many of the world's best road courses, but this is only my second race on a street circuit in my career. So I still have some things to learn."

He may have just one street circuit race under his belt thus far, but when you consider that that street circuit in question is none other than Macau-Guia, Clarke shouldn't have too much of a problem getting to grips with the glamorous California course.

"I feel fortunate to have some of the best people in the paddock to learn from and an experienced teammate like Nelson," Clarke continued. "My goal for the weekend is to keep my head down and focused and, ideally, to leave Long Beach as the top finishing rookie."

Clarke's first visit to California was in 2003 as he travelled with an Australian Pink Floyd tribute band. The band, which sponsored Clarke, had their first official gig at the House of Blues.