San Jose added to calendar

San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales' announcement of the move - previously predicted by autosport.com - has been confirmed by Champ Car. The experienced Bob Singleton - who has run Champ Car events in Canada in the past - has been put in charge as general manager of the San Jose Grand Prix.

Singleton commented: "This is a historic race for Northern California, but it will be much more than a race. I guarantee that people will want to put this week on their calendar as a must attend event."

A Champ Car statement reads: "We are delighted to officially announce the great city of San Jose as our newest member of the Champ Car family of venues. The Bay Area and San Jose in particular offers Champ Car all the elements that make for a long-term, successful event."

The new street circuit's route has not been pinned down exactly yet, but it will be laid out in the area around the HP Pavilion in downtown San Jose.

Confirmation of the plan is expected at a city council meeting on December 7. Finance for the venture will come from the San Jose Redevelopment Agency and the Canary Fund - the official social cause of the Champ Car World Series - which collaborates with cancer research centres including several in California.