Suffolk racing driver Pippa Mann has been handed a seat at the Pocono IndyCar 400 in Pennsylvania this weekend.

Following 18 months out of the sport due to injury, the 29-year-old made her comeback at the world-famous Indy500 at the end of May and then raced at the Firestone 550 in Texas.

Both of those races ended prematurely, due to a collision with the wall an engine fire respectively, but she had done enough to persuade Dale Coyne Racing to hand here another ride.

The former St Felix School pupil – who grew up near Leiston and lived in Ipswich for a spell – said: “The deal happening this weekend to put me back in an Indycar really does come down to Dale Coyne.

“Since the schedule was first announced, I’d wanted to run here if possible, especially with the open test which would hopefully give me the opportunity to learn the track. The goal was to find a way for me to get in the car and Dale worked tirelessly with us to make this race weekend happen.

“I’m incredibly grateful to him for the opportunity to get back in the No.18 car and I’m looking forward to carrying the Cyclops Gear colours again for the Pocono IndyCar 400.”

Pocono Raceway boasts a trio of some of racing’s most notorious corners. Known as ‘The Tricky Triangle’ due to its unusual layout and unique design, each turn is modelled on others from three different racetracks – turn one from the now defunct Trenton Speedway, turn two from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and turn three is similar to The Milwaukee Mile.

The IZOD IndyCar Series has not raced on the Pennsylvania track since 1989 and while some of the teams and drivers have tested at Pocono Raceway prior to this weekend’s event, it will be a new circuit for Mann and her team mate Justin Wilson.

“The track looks very interesting and so different from anywhere I have been before,” said Mann. “It almost feels like the combination of a road course and oval rolled into one because of the different types of corners.

“I am expecting that we will have to make some pretty interesting compromises on the set-up. Working out which corners are the crucial ones to be fast and to be able to follow and pass in the race will be important. I’m looking forward to getting out on track and finding out more about ‘The Tricky Triangle’ first hand!”

The Pocono IndyCar 400 is scheduled to take the green flag at 12.15pm (US time) on Sunday, with the 160-lap race to be broadcast live by ESPN at 5pm UK time.