Pro Racer Loses Bid To Reinstate $34K Award

(CN) - A Texas appeals court upheld a decision to vacate the $34,345 judgment awarded to professional racecar driver Niclas Jonsson on his wage claim against Rand Racing. Justice O'Neill rejected Jonsson's claim that the racing company voluntarily submitted to jurisdiction in California, so the Orange County judgment should apply in Texas.

Jonsson argued that the judgment was valid and enforceable under the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act, and that Rand Racing had enough contacts in California to subject it to jurisdiction there.

However, the appeals court upheld the trial court's finding that Jonsson failed to adequately serve the defendants under California rules. As a result, Rand Racing could challenge the California judgment, the court ruled.

"After considering the evidence," O'Neill wrote, "we conclude appellees provided clear and convincing evidence to overcome the presumption of validity that the California judgment should be given full faith and credit in Texas."

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