Newman/Haas Racing (NHR) has announced that Canadian James Hinchcliffe will drive team's No. 06 entry for the whole 2011 IZOD Indycars season with the support of Toronto-based Sprott Inc., a leading independent asset managing company founded by Eric Sprott.Hinchcliffe who is 2010 Firestone Indy Lights championship runner-up is set to become the next Canadian rising star of Indycars.
“Finally making my IndyCar debut really is a dream come true and the end
of a 15-year journey getting me to this point. Having the support from a prominent Canadian company as I start this next step in my career is extra special. I can't thank Eric Sprott and Sprott Inc. enough for their commitment and I'm sure we can do Canadian sport proud! ... I used to think that driving for Newman/Haas Racing at some point in my career would be amazing, but to get to do it in my rookie season is beyond words. I am only the third true rookie to drive for the team and I think that says a lot about the relationship we have forged over the last few months. It was tough to miss Round 1, but getting to debut in Barber makes me feel really comfortable since we have already tested there. As anxious as I am to get that first race under my belt, I am already looking forward to my first month of May and, of course, the races in Canada. I hope this is the first of many years for me at this level and I'm going to give everything I've got to make the Canadian fans proud!”
Carl Haas, founder of Newman/Haas Racing commented as well:
"We are pleased to add James to our team. He impressed us with how quickly he acclimated himself to the demands of driving an Indy car last December and showed he is more than talented enough to compete at this level since then. In our previous 28 seasons, only three rookies have driven for the team and those were Nigel (Mansell; reigning Formula One champion), Sebastien (Bourdais; reigning F3000 champion) and Graham (Rahal), and all made their mark. Canada has produced many great drivers and we are looking forward to partnering with Sprott Inc., to help James make his own mark.”
