MX-5 Cup: Barrett to run two events with MER

Formula Car Driver, Patrick Barrett, To Campaign Two Events With Team MER Barrett to fill in for Brett Smrz in the ...

Formula Car Driver, Patrick Barrett, To Campaign Two Events With Team MER

Barrett to fill in for Brett Smrz in the #29 Team MER ride for next two MX-5 Cup Championship events

SALINAS, CA (May 18, 2007) --- Patrick Barrett, of Los Osos, Calif., will replace Brett Smrz as the driver of the #29 Team MER/AustismSpeaks car for the next two rounds of the SIRIUS Satellite Radio MX-5 Cup championship. Smrz, who sustained a severe leg injury following Road Atlanta, is undergoing physical therapy to return to the team later this season.

Barrett currently leads the Pacific Formula 2000 Championship with four wins and two runner-up finishes in six events so far. The 17-year-old jumped at the opportunity to compete in his first sports car event and will drive the car in the next two rounds of the MX-5 Cup championship.

"I've always had an interest in sports car racing and this opportunity was something that I had to take advantage of," said Barrett. "I feel very confident about my chances for a good result this weekend and look forward to working with Team MER."

Barrett will carry one of his personal sponsors, Alpinestars on the #29 car as a primary sponsor.

"I am looking forward to working with Patrick," said Marc Miller, car owner of the #29 AutismSpeaks/Team MER MX-5. "He has already proven he is a capable driver and we have many mutual friends that have great things to say. We should have a very strong debut for him."