CART drops Lights, streamlines ladder

In recent seasons, Indy Lights has suffered from sparse grids and a lack of Champ Car teams running junior squads, and would have faced competition from the Indy Racing League's newly-announced Infiniti Pro Series next year. The decision to cancel the ailing series had been widely expected in CART circles.

"We believe this is a significant step in strengthening the CART racing development system," said CART CEO Joe Heitzler. "Since CART purchased the two series in 1998, the overall competitive environment has changed, making it more difficult for the two series (Lights and Atlantic) to exist on a successful level. As we evaluated the situation, it became apparent that a single 'ladder system' series would be most beneficial for all parties."

CART's revamp of the Toyota Atlantic Championship will leave the technical specification of the 240bhp Swift-chassised formula unchanged until 2005, but will significantly increase the prize fund in an attempt to lure up-and-coming single-seater talent away from the IRL's new series.

In 2002, Atlantics will support 12 Champ Car races, spread over ovals, road courses and street circuits. Each race will pay a purse of US$100,000, with an end-of-season points fund distributing a further US$1 million.

Toyota will continue to officially support the series and will introduce a new, more powerful engine for the 2005 season.

"We're pleased to see CART lay out a clear direction regarding its development series," said Toyota's US motorsport manager Les Unger. "We believe this decision will lead to more drivers and teams coming into the sport, providing a stronger base for CART's FedEx Championship Series."

Despite living in the shadow of Indy Lights in recent seasons, Formula Atlantic has been a long-term mainstay of the US racing scene. Graduates of the championship include former CART champions Michael Andretti, Jacques Villeneuve, Jimmy Vasser, Bobby Rahal and Danny Sullivan.