GK’s comment

After all the worries and fears that CART's opening race at the new track in Monterrey, Mexico's Fundidora Park might not happen, or would be seriously compromised because of the mañana factor, the race went off with very few problems.

Sure, the place was dusty and unfinished. Too many grandstands were incomplete, interior walkways weren't much more than dirt trails, and the three footbridges to the infield were nowhere near capable of handling Sunday's capacity crowd of 116,000. Had it been a Formula 1 race the organisers would have received a hefty fine from the FIA and there's no doubt that CART needs to enforce a higher level of preparedness for new tracks.

Incomplete as the new facility may have been, however, the race and weekend as a whole took place without any major problems. Some 318,000 fans were present over the four days, including a half-hearted Thursday where the gates were opened but little or no action took place on the track.

For the drivers and teams the biggest problem was a serious lack of grip from the new paving. There were plenty of spins on the opening day of practice as everyone struggled for traction, but the track slowly came in over the next two days and wasn't too bad on raceday although it remained diabolically slippery for anyone who strayed off-line.

"I enjoyed the course a lot," said winner Cristiano da Matta. "It's a pretty interesting layout. The radius of the corners change many times and I thought that was interesting. The track was slippery but very smooth. Most street circuits or road courses aren't anything like this. I would say it's unique. One of the best parts is the fact that it's so smooth there's no bouncing around inside the car."

Most of the drivers agreed with da Matta. The only change they would like for next year is the elimination of a particularly tight left-hander, which made a chicane out of a pair of sweeping right-hand turns halfway through the lap. "That's the only part of the track I don't like," said third-placed Paul Tracy. "If they removed that chicane it'll be a great track. I thought it was tons of fun."

CART last raced in Mexico 20 years ago, running races in Mexico City in 1980 and '81, but it looks like Champ Car racing has finally arrived on a permanent basis south of the border.