Auto racing Champ Car will run their final race at the Long Beach Grand Prix and one of the most recognized names in all of open wheel racing Jimmy Vasser will come out of retirement to drive the 3rd KV Racing entry.

Jimmy Vasser co-owner KV Racing Technology confirmed today that he will climb back into the cockpit of an open-wheel car having committed to compete in a third KVRT entry at this year’s Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 18-20 on the streets of Long Beach, California.

Plantronics, which announced last week that they would partner with KV Racing Technology for the 2008 IndyCar Series season, will assume the primary role on Vasser’s car for this race.
Vasser, the 1996 Series Champion, who last drove a Champ Car on April 9, 2006, coincidentally at Long Beach, will drive the KV Racing Technology #12 Plantronics Cosworth/DPO1/Bridgestone entry in what will be the Champ Car World Series final race.

“I 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. “It will also be great to compete 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 has qualified in the top-10 eight times with three starts in the first two rows and a pole in 2002.