FA: Podlesni excited ahead of PR1 test.

2006 Pacific F2000 Champion and Team USA Scholarship winner Robert Podlesni is to test with the PR1 Motorsports team at Buttonwillow Raceway Park with ahead of a possible 2007 Champ Car Atlantic campaign.

The 19-year-old won six of the twelve Pacific F2000 races on his way to taking home the championship, along with the Spring and Summer Cups in his Alpinestars sponsored Dave Freitas Racing Van Diemen. As a result of his success, Podlesni was honoured by being awarded a Team USA Scholarship.

Podlesni will start off his extensive PR1 test with the previous generation Swift 014.a Atlantic car in order to establish a solid baseline, and help ease the transition to the newer chassis. After the baseline is set, Podlesni will graduate to the latest Swift 016.a Atlantic car, introduced at the start of the 2006 season, for the following two days.

"I want to run the older car first, as I feel it is important to acclimate myself to the much more capable Atlantic cars," he said. "With the introduction of the new Cooper tyre on the Atlantics in 2007, I think it is important to establish a baseline in what is already known, and then move to the new car and tyre package."

As an award for the Pacific F2000 Championship, Podlesni was given a one day test with PR1 Motorsports, although the test was extended from one to three days due to the contributions from a variety of supporters.

"I can't thank Bobby Oergel and Les Phillips enough for their help and generosity," he continued. "This is a tremendous opportunity and would not be possible without their efforts."