CART provide 'safe havens' on tracks

Pressure on CART to find a solution to the problem of disabled cars blocking the track or leaking oil on the tarmac, increased after the Grand Prix of Monterey last weekend where Canadian driver Alex Tagliani crashed in qulaifying, whilst trying to avoid the crippled car of Brazilian Christian Fittipaldi.

Under the current ruling drivers with car trouble in qualifying can attempt to nurse their cars home, rather than bringing the circuit to a standstill and forfeiting their fastest lap time.

Tagliani crashed at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca after he was forced to take evasive action at 150 mph to avoid Fittipaldi, who was crawling along the inside lane having run out of fuel.

Fellow Brazilian Cristiano da Matta also caused controversy in the qualifying stages of Monterey by leaking oil from his blown out engine and leaving a film of grease along the track racing line as he brought his Toyota back to the pits.

The final minutes of the session were ruined and Da Matta was fined $10,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct. However, he retained his pole position.

Safe havens will be in position for this weekend's G.I. Joe's 200 at the Portland International Raceway, and will most likely include the run-off area at the Festival Chicane.