CHAMPCAR/CART: Eurointernational returns in 2006

Eurointernational, the racing team owned and run by Arturo Antonio Ferrari has announced its return to the Champ Car World Series effective in 2006. Last seen in the CART series in 1994 during the season finale at Laguna Seca, Ferrari's team has been working in the European formulae as he prepared his return to Champ Car competition.

"I feel that now are the technical and financial conditions to bring back Eurointernational Team in Champ Car," Ferrari declared. "Since 1994 my team has had unfinished business in Champ Car."

Ferrari intends to enter a Lola chassis in ten road course events during the 2006 season - only in the United States and Canada - in preparation for a full season the following year. "We are working to complete the budget for the entire season," he predicted, "with final decisions to be taken only at the beginning of 2006.

"I already have a short list of rookie drivers - road course specialists form Europe - top be behind the wheel of our 2006 Champ car," Ferrari indicated. "The car will run our traditional #50 in blue and silver colors. The 2006 season will prepare us to be a Championship contender in 2007-2009 when Champ Car will have a new car for the series."

While Ferrari hasn't been part of American open wheel racing since 1997, when he entered Billy Roe in the Indy Racing League, his racing teams have been active in US Formula 3 (titles in 2000-1), Eurocup FRV6, and FR2000USA. In 1994-5 the team took its Ferrari 333SP to a debut win in IMSA and also to the classic Le Mans 24-hour contest.

Since 2002, Eurointernational has operated two separate racing teams in Indianapolis and in S. Pietro Mosezzo, Italy (near Milan), each with separate structures and personnel.

"I have waited ten years to return in the [Champ Car] Series and Eurointernational will be racing to be a winning team with all in place. We will remain in Champ Car for at least three more years and all of our program details will be released in January of 2006," Ferrari stated.

He has a "state of the art" shop in place on Georgetown Road in Indianapolis, and he has all the equipment and organization Eurointernational needs for a viable Champ Car effort. A decision on the Lola car purchase (new or used) has not yet been made. None of the other competitive efforts currently in place will be sacrificed for this new endeavor, Ferrari acknowledged.

"I in 2006, Eurointernational's racing program in Europe will continue with two cars in the World Series by Renault Championship and in the Italian Formula Renault 2000 Championship. In North America we will [continue to have] a junior team with two cars in the Formula BMW USA Series.

"The drivers will have available all steps of the ladder, from FBMW to FR2000 to WsbR to Champ Car, while we will create a unique worldwide platform for our sponsors and technical partners," Ferrari concluded.

During the current racing season, Eurointernational has had two cars in the World Series by Renault and has competed in the Formula BMW USA championship. The team is eligible to compete in the 2005 FBMW World Final in Bahrain this December.