ChampCar F6000 prepares for first season

(April 2, 2002) The ChampCar F6000 Racing Series, a new open-wheel series created in the fall of 2001, has several new developments to announce for it's upcoming 2002 season. The series was initiated after the Indy Lights Series folded at the end of the 2001 season. ChampCar F6000 will utilize the '97 Lola chassis as used in the Indy Lights Series. The announcements involve engines, chassis and schedule.

The spec engine for the '97 Lola chassis will be the same 420 HP V6 engine that was used in the Indy Lights Series. They are available for purchase at a cost of $20,000 US from George's Speed Shop in Dayton, Ohio. George's Speed Shop will also provide rebuild services and at-track support services.

Lee Abrahamson, President of ChampCar F6000 commented that, "It made sense to go with the V6 and with George's Speed Shop. It provides an easy transition for existing Indy Lights teams and they will have the engine support that they are accustomed to."

The series has opened up the chassis specs to include the '94 Indy Lights chassis as used in Mexico by La Fórmula de las Américas. In early March, Lee Abrahamson visited series organizers in Monterrey, Mexico and was impressed with what he saw. "The series is a very professional organisation, both in terms of staff and facilities", he noted.

The visit was an initial planning session with Jose Luis Villasenor, Series Promoter and César Jiménez, driver and team owner. In late March Villasenor and Jiménez returned the visit by travelling to Ontario for more meetings with Abrahamson. César Jiménez, a well known driver in Mexico, stated "I'm looking forward to running on some of the world famous tracks like Mosport, St Jovite, Lime Rock and Watkins Glen that this new series covers".

In addition to cars, the organizers of La Fórmula de las Américas will be bringing their television production crew and hospitality trailer. All rounds of the 3 championships will be shown on Fox Sports in the USA.

Teams using the '94 Indy Lights chassis have the option of using the V6 or using their existing V8.

The 2002 ChampCar F6000 season will consist of 3 different championships. The first is the Am-Can Championship comprising 8 events in Canada and the U.S. The second will be the 5 event Winter Series contested at Mexican circuits. The third series is the Formula of the Americas. This series consists of select events from the Am-Can Championship and Winter Series including two events from Canada, three from the United States and four from Mexico. To see the complete schedule of all 3 championships visit the ChampCar F6000 website at www.champcarf6000.com.

Abrahamson commented on the value of ChampCar F6000, "For about $250,000 US a driver can compete in a thirteen race series at top quality circuits, in a carbon composite monocoque chassis powered by a 420 HP engine. That represents a great driver development opportunity and incredible value for the money". All with an excellent TV package, prize money and hospitality.

The inaugural event for the ChampCar F6000 Series is June 2 at Shannonville Motorsport Park in Ontario, Canada.

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