LONG BEACH, Calif. (April 1, 2008) -- KV Racing Technology co-owner Jimmy Vasser confirmed today that he will climb back into the cockpit to compete at this year’s Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 18-20, the final race of the Champ Car World Series.

He’ll pilot the #12 KVRT Cosworth/DP01/Bridgestone car, with primary sponsorship from Plantronics, in a potent three-car Long Beach entry that also includes Oriol Servia, from Catalonia, Spain, and Australian Will Power.  KV Racing Technology is co-owned by Kevin Kalkhoven.

Vasser used his victory in the 1996 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach as a springboard to the series championship that same year.  Coincidentally, Vasser last drove a Champ Car on April 9, 2006, also at Long Beach.

“I don’t expect to be fighting for the victory, having been out of the car for two years, but it will be a lot of fun and a great honor to take part in the Champ Car World Series’ final race,” said Vasser, a native Californian.  “It will also be great to compete one more time in front of all the southern California fans that have been so supportive of me throughout my career.”

Vasser will be making his 16th appearance on the streets of Long Beach.  In 15 previous starts he has finished in the top-10 a total of 10 times including five top-five showings with three podiums and a victory in 1996.  He holds the series record for consecutive Champ Car starts, with 211.

After the Long Beach Champ Car finale, which is an IndyCar Series points-paying race, Servia will be behind the wheel of the KV Racing Technology #5 Honda/Dallara/Firestone machine, while teammate Will Power drives the KV Racing Technology #8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone entry in the remainder of the 2008 season IndyCar Series.

Ticket prices at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach range from $25 for a Friday General Admission ticket (no reserved seat) to $125 for a three-day ticket that includes Saturday and Sunday reserved seating in grandstand upper levels.  Pre-paid parking packages are also available.

Credit card orders for the 2008 event can be placed by calling the toll-free ticket hotline – (888) 82-SPEED – or online by visiting www.gplb.com. Handicapped seating, Champ Car Paddock Passes, Super Photo tickets and a wide variety of Hospitality Club packages are also available. A ticket brochure that includes a circuit map, ticket prices and order form can be obtained by calling the hotline.