Scheckter hired by Ganassi

MOORESVILLE, N.C., Oct. 23 (UPI) -- After a successful test last week at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Tomas Scheckter has been hired as a driver for Target/Chip Ganassi Racing in the Indy Racing League next season.

Scheckter, who showed flashes of brilliance in a stormy season with Red Bull Cheever Indy Racing, will join fellow driver Scott Dixon, who moves over from CART to the two-car team that will participate exclusively in the IRL.

Team owner Chip Ganassi announced the moves Wednesday. It increases the IRL presence of the team, which fielded one car in the IRL in 2002 for driver Jeff Ward, who won in June at Texas Motor Speedway.

"I'm looking forward to racing in the IRL next season," Ganassi said. "We had a taste of the IRL this year and it's a great series. I'm also excited about the two young drivers that we have on board for next season. These two guys have shown that they can win races, and that's what we're about.

"It's going to be a big challenge, but we're ready for it."

Scheckter, the 22-year-old son of 1979 Formula One champion Jody Scheckter, is entering his second season in the IRL. Last season, he won three poles, was third in laps led and captured his first career victory at the Michigan Indy 400.

"I've said all along that I wanted to stay in the Indy Racing League and it's a dream to join a great organization like this," Scheckter said. "I had an up-and-down year last season, but I learned a lot. I'm already excited about racing with the Target team and Toyota power. I just wish that the season would get started a little sooner."

While racing for Red Bull, Scheckter butted heads with team owner Eddie Cheever. The driver displayed stretches of both recklessness and brilliance, crashing cars in practice and winning races after being threatened with his job. The difference of opinion between them became very public and Cheever fired Scheckter.

Dixon, 22, became the youngest winner in major open-wheel racing history at 20 years, 9 months when he drove to the checkered flag in April 2001 at Nazareth Speedway, which now plays host to an IRL event.

"I'm very happy to be back with the team for another year," Dixon said. "This has been the best team in open-wheel racing for the last 10 years. It's a great team with great people, and it's one of the main reasons that I wanted to come back for another year."

Dixon recorded nine top-10 finishes in 12 races on oval tracks during his CART career.

Powering the team next year will be Toyota engines, a partner of the team since 2000. IRL car manufacturer G Force will supply the chassis for the 2003 season. After earning Toyota's initial CART victory in 2000, Target Chip Ganassi Racing will look to provide the manufacturer its first IRL triumph in 2003.

Ganassi's organization won the 2000 Indianapolis 500 with Juan Montoya and the 2002 Indy 500 pole with Bruno Junqueira. The team won four consecutive CART championships beginning in 1996.