If there’s any truth to the adage, ‘Like father .. Like son’ then 18 year-old Champ Car World Series driver signing Graham Rahal is bound to be an International crowd favourite at this year’s Lexmark Indy 300 on the Gold Coast from October 18-21.

Rahal, son of former Champ Car ace and three-time Gold Coast podium claimer Bobby, has signed a lucrative contract with Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing and will contest his rookie season alongside current Vanderbilt Cup titleholder Sebastien Bourdais.

Even more exciting for the young American is the chance to emulate the feats of his legendary father on the streets of Surfers Paradise, which included a second placing in the inaugural event back in 1991 then again in 1995, plus a third placing in 1992.

“I visited Australia with dad one year and it was fantastic,” said Rahal Jnr.

“It is certainly one of the highlights of the year and a place all the drivers continually talk about.

“The race is going to come at that time of the season where a lot of the younger drivers have almost a season of experience under their belts.

“I can’t wait to get down there.”

Having cracked into the elite ranks of Champ Car World Series at such a young age, Rahal also has the opportunity, over the next two seasons, to become the youngest ever winner of the Lexmark Indy 300.

That feat was achieved just last year by reigning Gold Coast titleholder Nelson Philippe who claimed the crown as a 20 year-old.

Bobby Rahal is proud to see his son creating his own path in the Champ Car World Series and is confident his young protégé will enjoy his maiden appearance at the Lexmark Indy 300 later in the year.

“It will be great to see Graham racing in Australia,” said Rahal Snr.

“The first thing I did was check the schedules to see if I could some down, but unfortunately I have a race meeting here that weekend.

“It is a tough place, but beautiful place and I have fond memories of the Gold Coast.

“Graham will just have to have a good time without me this year.”

In what has been a procession of Champ Car driver announcements over the past few days there was also confirmation that 2002 Australian winner and last year’s Lexmark Indy 300 runner-up Mario Dominguez will join Paul Tracy at Forsythe Championship Racing.

Dan Clarke and Robert Doornbos have been named to drive for the newly-christened Minardi Team USA which is co-owned by Australian Paul Stoddart.

Doornbos and Rahal join a very strong Champ Car rookie contingent that already includes 2006 Champ Car Atlantic champion Simon Pagenaud of Team Australia, PKV Racing’s Neel Jani and Tristan Gommendy, Pacific Coast Motorsports’ Ryan Dalziel and Alex Figge.

The skilled group of returning drivers includes three-time and defending series champion Sebastien Bourdais, Australian campaigner Will Power, Dan Clarke, Paul Tracy, Justin Wilson, Alex Tagliani and Mario Dominguez in a field that will circle the globe in chase of the prestigious Vanderbilt Cup.

Further driver announcements are expected over coming days as teams gear up for the season opening Champ Car World Series event at Las Vegas over the Easter weekend.

Confirmed 2007 Champ Car World Series Drivers:

Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing
1 Sebastien Bourdais
2 Graham Rahal

Rsports
9 Justin Wilson
8 Alex Tagliani

Forsythe Championship Racing
3 Paul Tracy
7 Mario Dominguez

Minardi Team USA
4 Dan Clarke
14 Robert Doornbos

Team Australia
5 Will Power
15 Simon Pagenaud

PKV Racing
21 Neel Jani
22 Tristian Gommendy

Pacific Coast Motorsports
28 Ryan Dalziel
29 Alex Figge

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