Team Green commits to CART

With leading team Penske expected to quit CART in favour of rival series the Indy Racing League, speculation has been rife as to whether Team Green would follow and also whether it would hold onto its title sponsorship deal with cigarette brand Kool.

However, team boss Barry Green has stated his future is in CART, both with Team Kool Green and drivers Dario Franchitti and Paul Tracy, and its Motorola-backed sister operation, for which Michael Andretti drives.

"There's been a lot of speculation in the racing community recently about the plans of several CART teams for next season as well as for the future," said Green. "I want to state as clearly and firmly as possible that Team Kool Green, along with our technical partner Team Motorola, will be racing in CART in 2002."

CART's clear marketing strategy and a new US television deal were important in ensuring that Green stayed in the series. However he cites his key reason as the renewed partnership with the championship's title sponsor FedEx, announced last month.

"The real key is the renewal of our relationship with FedEx," he said. "They've faced a lot of challenges right along with CART and their decision to continue their relationship with us speaks volumes about their commitment."

This latest announcement will come as welcome news to the ailing series which is currently in the throes of an engine supply struggle and also a leadership battle, and Green admits that it has been a difficult year for the series.

"Certainly the 2001 season offered more than its fair share of challenges to CART and its teams," he said. "And I'm under no illusions that we won't face additional challenges in the years to come."