By BOB PEARCE
Scott Dixon's motor racing career in the United States will take a giant leap forward this week when he takes part in a Champ Car open test at Laguna Seca in California.
The PacWest Racing Group, which runs the young Aucklander in the Indy Lights championship, has shown great
confidence in his ability by putting him in one of their cars for two important testing sessions for the premier American single-seater class.
Dixon, who leads the Indy Lights championship after three wins, will share the driving on the first day with Mark Blundell, one of the regular Champ Car drivers.
On the second day he will be working alongside the other team driver, Mauricio Gugelmin.
PacWest's vice-president of racing operations, John Anderson, made the decision to include Dixon after the Kiwi had shown pleasing results in a private session at Putnam Park near Indianapolis.
That session was watched by regular Champ Car driver Memo Gidley, who had no hesitation in recommending Dixon's promotion.
"There is no doubt Scott is doing the job for us in Indy Lights and that he deserves more time in a Champ Car," said Anderson.
"Part of Scott's contract involves several days of Champ Car testing, but this test is not just about that.
"We certainly see Scott as part of our long-term future and we must take every opportunity to give him the experience."
Dixon was thrilled to get the chance, which exceeded his expectations.
"Everyone knows I've driven a Champ Car before but a CART open test is a totally different ball game," he said. "At the same time I'm not getting carried away. My main priority is to win the Indy Lights championship."
Possum Bourne wants to make sure Aussie rival Neal Bates does not reduce Bourne's points advantage when they contest the penultimate round of the Australian rally championship in Melbourne at the weekend.
Bourne takes his Subaru Impreza world rally car into the two-heat event with a 16-point lead over Bates' Toyota in the series.
"Even if we win both heats this weekend it won't tie up the championship," said Bourne.
"The last round in Tasmania has bonus points, which could change everything. The main thing this weekend is to get as many points as possible to keep the pressure on Neal."
Marty Roestenburg saw off a strong challenge from Todd Bawden and Neil Allport to win the Rally of the Far North on Saturday.
With his wife, Ali, as co-driver in the Mitsubishi Lancer, Roestenburg finished with a 2m 42s margin over Hamiltonians Greg Kirkham and Greg Adamson in another Mitsubishi.
But last year's winner, Allport, had looked likely to repeat until he crashed out and Bawden was only 10s adrift when he was forced out with a damaged radiator.
Paul Radisich had a win and a second in the latest round of the Australian V8 Supercar championship but was pipped by fellow Kiwi Steve Richards from winning the Calder round.
Richards, in a Holden, also had a first and second, but had a fourth as his third result whereas Radisich could only manage sixth.
Radisich and the rest of the Ford drivers clearly prospered with the use of their new undertray designed to break Holden's dominance.
By BOB PEARCE
Scott Dixon's motor racing career in the United States will take a giant leap forward this week when he takes part in a Champ Car open test at Laguna Seca in California.
The PacWest Racing Group, which runs the young Aucklander in the Indy Lights championship, has shown great
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