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CART: Walker Racing adds Driver for 1999

3 October 1998

By Terry Callahan
The Auto Channel

HOUSTON, TX: Derrik Walker, owner of Walker Racing, announced today that Naoki Hattori of Japan will be teamed with Gil de Ferran in the Fed Ex Championship series for 1999.

Hattori currently drives in the PPG-Dayton Indy Lights series. Hattori is ninth in the PPG-Dayton Indy Lights point standings.

Walker said, "It's been my goal to expand our team and run a second car. That offers us the possibility of a variety of benefits, including additional testing opportunities and technical development, which is very important in such a competitive series.''

``We look for a lot of support from him technically, which is one reason you have a two- car team,'' Walker said. ``We wouldn't be doing it if we didn't think he was technically capable if we give him the right platform.''

Hattori was unavailable for comment. He was running an exhibition race in Japan at the time of the announcement.