Phillipe to return for Surfers, Mexico.

Nelson Philippe will return to the Champ Car World Series for the final two rounds of the 2007 campaign, having been hired by Conquest Racing to pilot the #34 entry previously raced by Matt Halliday and Jan Heylen.

The Frenchman, who has been out of the series since the end of last season, returns to the fray at the circuit that saw him take an historic maiden win in 2006 as he links up with one of the teams with which he tested in the build-up to the current campaign. Having prevaricated over a seat with Minardi Team USA, Philippe ran with Conquest at MSR Houston but, without the backing to secure the seat, opted to seek opportunities in Formula One on a visit to the Australian Grand Prix.

Spending a lot of time 'down under' as the result of his romance with Bartercard Miss Indy Sarah Buller, it is perhaps appropriate that Philippe was picked to pilot the Conquest car, which will undergo its third livery change of the season, carrying Opes Prime backing for the final two rounds, at Surfers and Mexico City. Halliday began the year sporting 42 Below colours, before Heylen replaced him for the bulk of the season, carrying Champ Car Grand Prix of Belgium and, latterly, Grafiprint sponsorship.

Opes Prime came on board following the recent Sebring test, where British newcomer James Winslow tested the Conquest car. Confirmation that the Australian-based stock broking firm was to support Eric Bachelart's team led to speculation that the current Formula V6 Asia points leader may make his debut on the streets of the Gold Coast, but Winslow confirmed to Crash.net that his ambitions lay in 2008.

"I could have run, but I want to be more prepared for next year," he confirmed, "They're going to put a more experienced driver in the car for these two races, but I'll be with the team in Surfers and Mexico. I'm hoping to test more over the winter to learn more about driving a Champ Car and be ready to run at the front."

Winslow has been backed by Opes Prime since venturing to Australia to contest the national F3 championship, where he won three races, and continued the relationship following the addition of a Formula V6 Asia campaign, which has so far yielded two race wins and the lead of the championship.

Philippe, meanwhile, has two races to stake a claim to a seat in Champ Car for 2008, starting with Surfers Paradise, where he created a landmark by becoming the youngest winner in series history after surprising the field in 2006.