SBRS: Hill steps up to new series

Derek Hill, son of 1961 World Driving Champion Phil Hill, has signed to drive with the French DAMS squad in the FIA International Formula 3000 Championship, the penultimate steppingstone to Formula 1. Hill won the 1997 Barber Dodge Pro Series crown in prior to heading across the Atlantic to follow in his father's footsteps to Grand Prix racing.

Hill competed in the highly rated Italian F3000 series in 2000. By signing with the DAMS outfit, he has situated himself in one of the most successful F3000 outfits ever with three driver's championships and 22 race wins to their credit.

"I am very pleased to be joining DAMS," he said. "They are a very professional team and have a great history in F3000. They have worked with some of the very best drivers. I am sure I will learn a lot from them during the season."

Hill took four victories en route to his '97 Pro Series title, beating out such notables as Rino Mastronardi, Andy Boss, Nicolas Rondet, Rocky Moran Jr. and Tony Renna among others.

-George Tamayo k