Delphi to sponsor Meira, Panther.

Panther Racing surprised the IndyCar paddock by turning up at the Daytona group test with Vitor Meira's #4 Dallara-Honda bedecked in Delphi colours, the result of a two-season sponsorship deal.

The partnership comes as both Panther and Delphi enter their tenth season of involvement in the IndyCar Series, and team owner John Barnes was clearly delighted to have landed a big-name backer for Meira's campaign.

"We've known the great folks at Delphi for a long time now, and we're honoured that they've become a partner with Panther Racing," he said, "Our team knows that this is the kind of boost we needed to get Vitor to the front of the championship chase.

"We had a great run together last year, and we've got even bigger plans with Delphi for 2007 and 2008. Both Panther and Delphi have been winning races in this series for ten years, and now it's time to win some together."

Panther made its debut in the IndyCar Series in 1998 with Scott Goodyear, the same year Delphi became the primary sponsor with Kelley Racing and Scott Sharp. Since then, the team has won 15 races - with Goodyear, Sam Hornish Jr and Tomas Scheckter - while Delphi collected eight victories with Sharp.

Neither proved successful in 2006, although Meira continued to threaten top spot for Panther, eventually finishing fifth in the championship. After joining Panther shortly before the season started, the 29-year old Brazilian finished with twelve top ten results, a stretch that included six podiums. It was Panther's best season since 2003 but, ironically, came after a period of uncertainty when it appeared that the team may even close its doors.

"I'm so happy that Delphi has become a part of the Panther family," Meira said, "The Delphi car is a successful and important part of IndyCar Series history and I'm honoured to be given this opportunity. It gave me goosebumps the first time the car got painted in the shop and I saw the #4 on the wing."