Grapevine: Pollock Sets Up CART Team

Former British American Racing (BAR) Formula One boss Craig Pollock announced today his intention to run his own ChampCar team for the 2003 CART season.

The 46-year-old Scotsman, who stood down as team principal of BAR in December 2001 after taking charge from the team's inception in 1997, has joined forces with businessman Kevin Kalkhoven to form PK Racing. The CART season, in which they will have a one-car entry, begins on February 23.

"It's a short period of time to put the whole thing together," Pollock said at a news conference in Indianapolis, where the team will be based. "The fact that all CART teams will be running with the same engine this season will make the start-up a bit easier for us because it's a level playing field for everyone.

"The CART series is extremely competitive. If we do our jobs well, we should be able to field a competitive team. But we're going to make sure that we walk before we run."

Pollock said PK Racing had narrowed its selection of a driver to "about three or four candidates," and would make an announcement shortly.

Pollock is manager of former Formula One and CART champion Jacques Villeneuve, but said the Canadian had no involvement in the PK Racing venture.