CHAMPCAR/CART: Groundbreaking for Ansan, Korea race

Groundbreaking Takes Place For Champ Car World Grand Prix of Ansan

INDIANAPOLIS (February 25, 2005) -- Preparations officially began today for the Champ Car World Grand Prix of Ansan, as groundbreaking ceremonies took place on the site that will host the Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford on October 16.

The 90-minute event saw officials from Ansan City and Gyeonggi Province as well as from The Racing Korea and Champ Car event organizers turning shovels at the site of what will be a 1.9-mile race course in Ansan, South Korea. Vice Mayor of Ansan City Doo Hyun Kwon and Governor of Gyeonggi Province Hak-Kyu Son were among the luminaries on hand along with Champ Car co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven and Champ Car Senior Vice-President Joe Chrnelich.

"We are pleased to hold a ground breaking ceremony with Ansan citizens and all participants in Ansan City, the hub of advanced technology industry and culture and seashore," said Vice Mayor Kwon. "This is the most suitable place to hold a Champ Car event because this area is located by a nearby international airport, seaport in one hour distance adjacent to a densely populated district, seaside and a large scale complex where automobile parts are made and repairs are done."

The event drew nearly 1,000 people to witness the groundbreaking in Ansan City, which is located approximately 45 minutes southwest of Seoul. A marching band added to the festive atmosphere during what was the first official public activity regarding the 2005 event.

"Mr. Dae Chung Kwon and The Racing Korea Promotions (TRK) team have demonstrated with this official groundbreaking event that they are a first class promoter," said Chrnelich. "And the city of Ansan will have a spectacular race event this October."

The October event will be the first-ever Champ Car race held in Korea and the first to be held on the Asian continent since 2002.

-ccws-