Team St. George could run in 2003

"We've been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of sponsors and drivers alike" said David Grace, CEO of Rockingham. "We've had a number calls from additional drivers and some seriously impressive sponsors. Some of these have said that they can't put a deal together at this short notice, but they have a lot of enthusiasm for continuing this initiative into the 2003 season."

The team, which has purchased the Lola-Cosworth used by the now defunct Sigma Motorsport team earlier this year, has yet to announce who will drive the car, but former three time CART race winner Mark Blundell is the latest to through his hat into the ring.

"The new car will give the team a chance to be genuinely competitive at
Rockingham. I'd love to have a crack at it." said Blundell. "I'm trying to balance it with my other commitments, but even if I can't manage this year's race, I'll certainly be keen to have a full involvement next year."

Speaking at the launch of the team's livery, Bob Berridge of Oval Racing Management, which is co-ordinating the project, was confident that the team will be competitive come race day on September 14, despite the project receiving the go-ahead quite late in the day.

"We've got a car which we know can run at the front at Rockingham." He said. "It's currently being prepared at Dale Coyne's workshop in Chicago, then it'll be flown over to Ray Mallock's team to start a test programme at the end of August."

Team St George is expecting to unveil the car and driver at the beginning of next month, where the car should hit the Corby oval in anger for the first time.