Pettit finds new partner.

Dan Pettit has found a new home for the remains of his RuSPORT operation after revealing that he was to combine operations with Forsythe Championship Racing from 2008.

Pettit and Forsythe owner Jerry Forsythe - coincidentally both co-owners of the Champ Car World Series - announced the deal overnight, confirming that they would run under the banner of Forsythe/Pettit Racing. Pettit purchased RuSPORT from founder Carl Russo during the 2006-07 off-season but, following a part-season 'technical merger' with Rocketsports - owned by a third CCWS owner, Paul Gentilozzi - announced in Surfers Paradise that the team would be shutting up shop after the Mexico City finale.

Pettit, a former partner at PKV Racing, maintained that, despite the closure, he would look to remain involved in the series, with comparative minnows Pacific Coast Motorsport and Conquest Racing initially tipped as likely partners. Forsythe, however, was the team that eventually fell into bed with the remains of RuSPORT and Pettit could not be happier.

"I am thrilled to be partnering with Jerry Forsythe," he said, "The entire Forsythe team has experience competing at the highest levels and winning championships. I think combining our efforts will give us a team that can contend for a title immediately."

Forsythe, who has been a rare attendee at CCWS events this season, confirmed that the partnership was an exciting one for his long-standing operation.

"I am pleased to announce the combination of Forsythe Championship Racing and RuSport Racing," he said, "I know that Dan and I share the same goal and that is to compete for a championship. This partnership will enable us to do that and I look forward to a successful season for Forsythe/Pettit Racing in 2008 - and for many years to come."

Forsythe Racing is one of the most successful teams in Champ Car history, having amassed 32 wins, 34 poles and one championship - with Paul Tracy - in 16 years of competition. Despite Tracy remaining a stalwart within the operation, and challenging for titles sporadically in the intervening period, Forsythe has been largely eclipsed by Newman/Haas and Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing in recent seasons.

The combination with RuSPORT brings added impetus to the team, however, with Justin Wilson having taken as many wins as Tracy in 2007 - one apiece - and could convince the Briton to remain loyal to the team that has taken him to second place in the standings in each of the last two years.

No drivers were announced along with the partnership, with Forsythe having also run Mario Dominguez, Oriol Servia and David Martinez this year. The loss of RuSPORT does mean that Champ Car's field is reduced by a further car, having lost the team's second entry for 2007, although there have been rumours suggesting a possible third Forsythe car for 2008. The new team, which will operate out of Forsythe Championship Racing's Indianapolis workshops, is expected to announce its line-up 'soon'.