CART launches scheme to secure American talent

Announcing the CART-Skip Barber Scholarship Ladder at Autosport International in Birmingham's NEC, the scheme's organisers said the aim was to provide talented young US drivers the resources to reach the top of American open-wheeled racing.

"The defined path to the top level of open-wheel racing in North America now begins in karts and continues through the Skip Barber Formula Dodge National Championship at an amateur level," said CART Chief Executive Officer Joseph Heitzler. "The professional rung on the ladder begins with the Barber Dodge Pro series, and progresses to Toyota Atlantics or Indy Lights and then Champ Cars without missing a step."

CART is investing US$1.5million a year to ensure that if an American driver has the talent, he or she can go all the way to Champ Cars, avoiding the financial pitfalls that have hindered drivers in the past. A prime example is Jerry Nadeau. The veteran of the Skip Barber Pro Series wanted to move up to CART in 1995, but financial barriers prevented him from going any further. He moved over to NASCAR and now enjoys a successful career there, highlighted with his win at the 2000 Winston Cup season closer at Atlanta last November.

"Stock cars have a clear path for young drivers," said Skip Barber, "And we want the same for CART. Talent can now go further in this system than in any other without big money being a factor. Many of the drivers that come through our schools and series aspire to race in CART. I am very pleased that we and CART are able to come together and ensure that those racers' dreams have a better chance of being reality."

As part of the programme, CART will sanction the Barber Dodge Pro Series starting this season. This series now becomes the Official Entry Level Professional Race Series of CART, and the stepping stone to the Toyota Atlantic or Indy Lights Championship. This will promote young drivers to teams, sponsors and fans.

Champ Car racing has endured some tough times recently, with race attendances and TV ratings falling. Coupled with the fact that very few of the top drivers in CART are American, unlike the most popular US-based series, NASCAR, CART will be hoping that this new programme will provide a homegrown champion for the series in the not too distant future.

"Our focus has been to build a brand," said Pat Leahy, CART's Senior Vice President of Marketing. "This is a perfect opportunity to promote our brand."