TEAM BIO
Boss of the Minardi Formula One Team, airline owner, race driver, successful entrepreneur, the man behind the Minardi two-seater program, and now Champ Car World Series team owner - Paul Stoddart can tick all of these boxes, and many more, when it comes to career accomplishments. Leaving school in his native Australia at 14, simply because he couldn't wait any longer to get into the "real" world and start working, this entirely self-made man from the northern suburbs of Melbourne now presides over the European Aviation Group of companies, which owns and operates a range of aircraft, as well as the European Engine Division and the Minardi F1x2 team.

Stoddart's "big break" came in 1989, a scant three years after he had sold up "Down Under", including automotive and aviation interests, and moved to the UK in search of bigger challenges. Initially setting up a small group of new-car franchises, he was doing adequately well before an amazing opportunity presented itself. The Royal Australian Air Force had decided to sell off five little-used aircraft from its VIP fleet, including two BAC 1-11s. The "job lot" also included what eventually turned out to be 48 shipping containers full of very valuable spares.

Taking a decision that reflects perfectly his ongoing business philosophy, Stoddart spotted an opportunity, raised every penny he could, and took a large, but calculated risk by buying the aircraft. They were soon in service in Europe, and when the European Aviation Air Charter 1-11s were augmented four years later, with a further 20 similar aircraft acquired from British Airways, Stoddart was in the happy position of possessing a fleet of BAC 1-11s, plus enough spares to keep them flying for a considerable time, with sufficient left over to become the largest supplier of 1-11 spares in the world. Most importantly, he had accomplished this at realistic prices and could boast an airline with the lowest operating costs in Europe at the time. It was to provide the commercial "springboard" for everything that has followed.

In 2010 Minardi Team USA will be a first time three car team with Dan Clarke coming over from Sigma Racing and 2009 drivers Nelson Philippe and Robert Doornbos!!!