Joao Barbosa will line-up alongside Chris Goodwin in the No. 8 Saleen this weekend at Hockenheim for the fourth round of the FIA GT Championship as Miguel Ramos steps down from the event due to professional and business commitments.

At 28 years old Joao has an impressive track record in sportscar racing and has collected accolades for many European and American series including class wins in the 2003 Daytona Rolex 24 Hour and the 1000km at Spa.

Portugese born Joao's motorsport career began in karts and progressed rapidly through Formula Ford, Formula 3, Formula Kool/Toyota Atlantic USA and the United States Road Racing Series.   More recently he contested the Grand Am Rolex Sportscar Series where he secured 2nd in the 2003 championship.

This year Joao will contest the Le Mans Endurance Series and 24 Hours with Rollcentre Racing in a Dallara Judd.  Last weekend his team finished a credible 5th in the opening round at Monza. 

Joao commented "It's a good team and a good car: this season is turning out to be a busy one for me". 

RML's Operations Director Phil Barker commented "It's a shame that Miguel cannot be with the team this weekend, he has been driving very well in the Saleen and the Lola this year. Having said that we are very pleased to have Joao on board who has a very impressive track record".

RML Background

RML's 4,300 square metre facility in Northamptonshire, England includes full design, development, manufacturing and operational support for international race/rally programmes and automotive engineering projects.

The organisation has achieved championship success in a diverse range of motorsport categories including GT/sportscars, touring cars, rally cars, single seaters and oval speedway cars. In 2004 RML teams will compete in the FIA GT Championship, British Touring Car Championship, Le Mans Endurance Series and the Le Mans 24 Hours.