CHAMP CARS AND V8 SUPERCARS PRIMED FOR BIG SEASONS
17/3/2005 15:48 (Press Release) -
The Lexmark Indy 300 may be eight months away, but the feature motor racing categories are currently launching bumper seasons ahead.
Wheels are definitely in motion for the 2005 Champ Car World Series, with leading teams undergoing preseason testing in the United States, drivers being announced nearly every week and the governing body Champ Car implementing a number of innovative rule changes.
The first round of the Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford is being staged in Long Beach, California from April 8 to 10. The Lexmark Indy 300 is round 13 of the series from October 20 to 23.
Back in Australia, the largest free public showcase of V8 Supercar technology and drivers will launch the V8 Supercar Championship Series in Sydney tomorrow.
Headlined by Gold Coast-based drivers Marcos Ambrose and Russell Ingall from Stone Brothers Racing, the partnership that finished one-two in last year’s series, the V8 Supercar Championship Series will officially start at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide from March 17 to 20. The Gillette V8 Supercar Challenge at Indy will be round 11 of the series.
In the United States, the Champ Car driver line-up is taking shape with a large contingent expected to fight for overall championship honours.
Reigning champion Sebastian Bourdais from France will be the man-to-beat in 2005 while Newman/Haas Racing team mate and 2004 Lexmark Indy 300 winner Bruno Junqueira from Brazil is determined to shake the bridesmaid tag.
2002 series champion and 2001 Gold Coast winner Cristiano da Matta from Brazil is back in a Champ Car seat for PKV Racing after two seasons in Formula 1. His team mate is another former Gold Coast winner in Jimmy Vasser from the USA.
2003 series champion Paul Tracy from Canada adds to an impressive list already confirmed, as well as youthful duo Justin Wilson from England and A.J Allmendinger from the USA, last year’s rookie winner.
Off the track, Champ Car has implemented a number of rule changes for 2005 to allow teams to invoke a variety of strategies in pursuit of race wins.
Pit intervals and mandatory pit stops have been abolished, meaning that teams no longer have any directives on when they must pit and what they must do during that stop. The previous rules forced teams to pit at specified intervals and forced teams to change four tyres during that stop.
The pits will automatically close during full-course yellow flag conditions. The pace car will slow the field as soon as possible once the caution flag waves, allowing the Champ Car Safety Team to address the situation. When conditions warrant, Race Control will open the pits so that all cars may pit at their discretion.
Lexmark Indy 300 General Manager James O’Brien believes the changes will lead to more strategic racing.
“Champ Car’s objective with the pit intervals and stops is to put the onus back on the teams on when to come in. This will make race strategy very important, as it basically leaves it in the hands of the teams to find the best way to get to the front of the field,” said O’Brien.
“The Champ Car season is shaping to be the best one for driver talent in some years, with Da Matta back to fight with Bourdais, Junqueira, Tracy, the up-and-coming Allmendinger and Wilson, plus many others.”
Tomorrow in Sydney the V8 Supercar Championship Series will be launched with more than $50 million of state-of-the-art equipment on show in a free public display.
As part of an ongoing plan to make V8 Supercars available to one and all, the V8 Supercar Championship, its drivers, teams, cars and massive transporters will be based outside of Telstra Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park for two hours tomorrow for the free day.
The complete field of 16 state of the art and fully liveried semi-trailers will start the day at Patrick’s Wharf near the CBD, work their way across the Darling Harbour flyover, the New Glebe Island Bridge, Victoria Road, Iron Cove Bridge and the Gladesville Bridge en route to Telstra Stadium.
“AVESCO has done a marvelous job in putting this free public day together to showcase the technology, motor vehicles and personalities behind Australia’s premier motor racing category,” said O’Brien.
“We look forward to hosting them on the Gold Coast in October when the championship will be on the line.”
The Lexmark Indy 300 will be held on the Gold Coast from October 20 to 23. The Lexmark Indy 300 will be round 13 of the Champ Car World Series, while the Gillette V8 Supercar Challenge held at the Lexmark Indy 300 will be round 11 of the V8 Supercar Championship Series.
Release Date: 17/03/2005
GMC - Lexmark Indy 300
|
|
