Synergy

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 10, 2008) - Jan Heylen, a veteran of open-wheel racing who made his Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 debut in the Rolex 24 At Daytona in January, will occupy the second seat in the No. 80 Synergy Racing Porsche GT3 this season, the team announced recently.

Heylen will drive with team veteran Steve Johnson for the remainder of the 2008 season. Heylen, along with Mark Greenberg, Damien Faulkner and Lance Arnold, finished sixth in the GT category in the Rolex 24.

Prior to joining the Rolex Series, Heylen competed in a variety of open-wheel categories in Europe and North America, most recently in the Champ Car World Series. Last season, he finished 16th in points with a best finish of second in Holland with Conquest Racing, despite not running the full season. A year prior, he was 14th in points, running a best of fifth with Dale Coyne Racing in Cleveland.

Heylen has also competed in Formula 3, Formula 3000 and British Formula Ford.

"I've done a lot of sports car racing in Europe before and single-seaters, and I think this is a good time and wise decision to make the decision to race sports cars this season," said Heylen, who is rooming with good friend and former Synergy co-pilot Patrick Long. "I am looking forward to it. We had a good race in the Rolex 24; not bad for the first time and good experience with the team. It was good to know people from the team and get the program started.

"From what I've seen, there is some strong competition out there," Heylen continued. "It will be a tough challenge. But with the experience and driver lineup the team has, hopefully we'll be able to give those guys a run for their money. The Rolex 24 is a different event, so Homestead will be the first race to see what the car can do under different circumstances. That will hopefully tell us what we need to know a little more for the remainder of the season."

Synergy Racing team owner Cole Scrogham is excited about the opportunity and racing experience Heylen will provide.

"Jan is a great driver," Scrogham said. "We are fortunate that the situation with (Champ Car) allowed us to work together. Hopefully we can get some good results and prove what a great addition he has been for this team."

The team will continue its season March 29 with the GAINSCO Grand Prix of Miami at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla.