Justin Wilson joins DRR for 2010 IndyCar series

Former FPA Champion targeting overall honours after switch to Dreyer and Reinbold Racing

Justin Wilson has joined the Dreyer and Reinbold Racing team as he prepares for an assault on the 2010 Izod IndyCar Championship.

Wilson, who is managed by MotorSport Vision Chief Executive Jonathan Palmer and won the inaugural Formula Palmer Audi Championship in 1998, famously handed his former team Dale Coyne Racing its first victory in 25 years of competition when he dominated proceedings at Watkins Glen last year. He took two further podiums in the year, on his way to finishing ninth in the overall standings.

The 31-year-old revealed that it had not been an easy decision to leave Dale Coyne after such an impressive year, but the draw of joining Dreyer and Reinbold Racing had proved hard to resist.

"I'm excited at the potential of Dreyer and Reinbold Racing and the way they go about their business," Wilson explained. "I came about two weeks ago and had a look around the workshop. I was so impressed with what I saw and what was going on. It just felt like the right thing for me to do.

"I really like the direction that DRR is headed in. I believe that we will be very competitive and my aim is to win the championship - I know it may sound steep, but I feel that we have a very good chance and I'm ready to win some races.

"It was a pretty tough call to leave Dale and move on with my career. I have to thank Dale and Gail (Coyne) for everything they've done. But it all came about so quickly - two weeks ago I got a call from DRR, and things just snowballed so quick. It was just a great opportunity."

Wilson will take the number 22 car at Dreyer and Reinbold Racing, with Z-Line Designs set to continue as the primary sponsor of his car. He will be joined at the team by fellow Briton Mike Conway, who recorded three top ten finishes in his maiden IndyCar season in 2009 - a line up team co-owner Robbie Buhl feels is the strongest DRR have ever enjoyed.

"I'm excited as I've ever been," he enthused. "I think this is the best focus we've had in years. We are ready to win some races and really feel we can do it with Justin and Mike. They are exceptional drivers and we are thrilled to have them on board with us."

Justin became the inaugural FPA champion back in 1998, before going on to win the Formula 3000 International series in 2001. He raced for both Minardi and Jaguar in Formula One, before moving to race full-time in America - winning races in both Champ Car and IRL. He will get behind the wheel of his new DRR car for the first time when testing commences on February 24/25 at the Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama.