Green light for traction control in 2002

The Champ Car sanctioning body had already announced that its new 2003-06 technical formula would include traction control, along with normally aspirated engines. But the CART Franchise Board's decision is expected to ease tension between the manufacturers for the final year of the 2.65-litre turbo era.

"This is another positive step by the CART Franchise Board that will result in competitive and fair racing for years to come," said CART CEO Chris Pook. "Traction control and the policing of this technology has become a major issue worldwide in motorsports and, after its legalisation in Formula 1, we believed we needed to work with our participating manufacturers in bringing this technology forward in the CART FedEx Championship Series."

The decision to allow traction control was welcomed by all three of CART's engine manufacturers.

"Our opinion is that this ruling will at least allow each of the three manufacturers to be on equal footing when it comes to traction control or variations of it," said Ford's Greg Specht.

"Clearly, this was something that CART was not able to police in the past due to the complexity of the electronic engine control systems currently used, so, short of banning electronic hook-ups to things like gear position and engine speed, this was likely the best possible solution," he added.