Grapevine: Reynard to Supply Chassis to Premier-1

Reynard Motorsport have reached an agreement to supply chassis to the new Premier-1 series which is due to begin in July 2002.

"Reynard Motorsport is proud to be selected as the supplier of the Premier-1 Grand Prix cars," Reynard's Robert Synge said today. "It is an exciting opportunity for us to demonstrate our expertise in the design and build of technologically advanced single-seater race cars."

The deal with British manufacturer Reynard means that Premier-1 has decided to break their contract with Italian marque Dallara, who initially was expected to supply the cars. The FIA's World Motorsport Council confirmed last week the sporting and technical regulations which will allow the organisers to move one step closer to beginning the championship next year.

"The end result will have performance close to a Formula One car, but will run on slick tyres and have the advantage of ground effect aerodynamics," Robin Webb, operations director of Premier-1 said.

"Launch control, traction control and ABS will not feature, but the cars will have the latest electronic gear shift technology, and will comply with the stringent FIA safety regulations."

Reynard, whose owner Adrian Reynard is one of the founders of the British American Racing team, currently supplies chassis, among others, to the CART championship.