Britain prepares to stage CART race

Forsythe today announced he will hold a major stake in the first all-new race track to be built in the UK since 1907.

The shareholders and management of Rockingham Motor Speedway, under construction at Corby in Northamptonshire, have been in negotiation with Forsythe over the summer.

Forsythe, who is co-owner of Player's/Forsythe Racing and the McDonald's Racing Team, is one of the most influential entrepreneurs in world-wide open-wheel racing and as part of the deal will be hoping to bring a CART race to the circuit - which is due to open in 2000.

'With our expansion of American style racing, we'll be able to bring a lot to Rockingham,' said Forsythe.

'We didn't waste any time in contacting Rockingham. We think it is an exciting opportunity to be part of bringing US style racing to the UK.'

Peter Davies, Managing Director of Rockingham, was delighted by Forsythe's involvement:

He said, 'We are really excited having Gerry's (Forsythe) involvement in this project.

'All our investors immediately recognised the benefits that Gerry could bring - expertise, technical expertise, users of ovals and the general experience of being involved in CART that can support our management team.

'It does add further credibility to what we are doing.'

Forsythe had contacted Rockingham straight after plans for the venue had been announced and is promising exciting plans for the future.

'You have to look to build a kind of facility today that can accommodate the cars of today and of the future,' added Forsythe.

'We want to attract other forms of oval racing, such as NASCAR.

'CART needs to be in England and I'll certainly do my best to see that it happens.'

The first stage of the Rockingham developed is currently underway and involves a construction spend of £28 million [US$ 45 million].

This will deliver a range of race tracks, including a one and a half mile banked oval and a complex of road courses, the first main grandstand, pits buildings, guest suites and all associated infrastructure.

Since the public launch of Rockingham in February this year, the ground works have been completed and the shape of the complex is clearly emerging from the 300-acre brownfield site, formerly part of a steel works and ironstone quarry.