Panther confirms Matsuura for '07.

Having almost gone out of business just twelve months ago, Panther Racing has announced a new partnership with Super Aguri that will see Kosuke Matsuura join Vitor Meira in a two car assault on the 2007 Indy Racing League.

Despite a lack of funds that led to the team selling off surplus equipment prior to the start of the season, Meira claimed a top-five finish in the IRL standings as the team took to the fight to richer squads in a true 'David versus Goliath' situation, although it was unclear whether or not the team would be able to go back to running two cars again in 2007.

However, the new deal - which will see the team renamed as Super Aguri Panther Racing - ensures that Matsuura will remain on the grid despite continuing uncertainty over the future of the Fernandez Racing team that has run him for the past three seasons and takes Panther back to a two-car team after just a single season with a lone entry.

"We are absolutely thrilled with this partnership with Super Aguri and the opportunity to run Kosuke Matsuura in the IndyCar Series next season," Panther CEO and co-owner John Barnes said. "Kosuke is a great talent and we feel like we have the people to teach him how to finish what he does in his races. I'm excited to get him into the Panther way of life and watch him grow into the great race car driver we know he is going to become.

"This is a great time for us; everybody here knows Super Aguri, Panasonic and Kosuke just made Panther Racing a much better team. Mr. Suzuki is an innovative member of the racing community and somebody that has accomplished a great deal in his career. He and Kosuke are great additions to the Panther family. They've helped make our team a lot stronger this off-season."

Matsuura entered the IRL after successful stints in the Formula Renault V6 Eurocup Championship and German Formula Three Championship. In 2004 he was crowned rookie of the year and in 2006, a total of six top ten finishes helped him to finish 13th in the end of year standings.

"I am very happy to have an opportunity to race in my fourth season in IndyCar Series and realise that it is a big responsibility," he said said. "Panther Racing has won a series championship in 2001 and 2002, so I am very thrilled to be able to join the champion team in this new partnership. I will do the very best and aim to win."

The formation of Super Aguri Panther Racing sees Panther welcome former Formula One driver Aguri Suzuki to the team. Suzuki has been central to helping promote young Japanese drivers through his Autobacs Racing Team Aguri Project, which was formed in 1997 and has been developing programmess in different racing series' in Asia, Europe and the United States.

"I am very happy and excited to be able to make a new entry in the 2007 IRL IndyCar Series with Panther Racing as Super Aguri Panther Racing," the Super Aguri F1 team boss said. "Although it will be the fourth season for Kosuke Matsuura, he has so much to learn from Panther Racing, which has won two Championships in the past. I believe Matsuura will show positive and dramatic change next season."