Series introduces European Cup

Similar to the Canadian Triple Crown competition for the team who proved most successful in the Mont-Tremblant, Toronto and Edmonton rounds, the Phanos Resorts-sponsored European Cup will go to the team whose drivers achieve the best average finishing positions in the European events.

Team Australia won the Canadian title, and driver Simon Pagenaud is keen to repeat that result when the series returns to his home continent for the first time since 2003.

"We are very proud to have won the Champ Car Canadian Triple Crown, and now we want to add the Phanos Resorts Champ Car European Team Cup to our collection," he said.

"As a European driver, I obviously want to do well in the two Champ Car races that are closest to my country (France), but the European Cup gives everyone at Team Australia an added incentive and it will certainly add to the excitement of the events."

Series president Steve Johnson said the new contest recognised the importance of the European market to Champ Car.

"The addition of the European races at Zolder and Assen to our calendar plays an important role in the development of our series," he said.

"With 10 of our drivers coming from Europe, I am certain they are all going to be extremely keen to do well in these two races. With this new team prize now on offer, the level of competition should be fierce."

The Zolder and Assen races take place on 26 August and 2 September.