Teams accept aero freeze

In a move designed to cut costs and increase competition the teams will submit an inventory to CART outlining their road course packages following the GI Joe's 200 at Portland (June 16) and their oval version two weeks later at Chicago (June 30). The areas covered by the agreement are: the underbody, main side pods, rear wing assembly, engine cover, oval and road course nose, and the oval front wing assembly.

The components that will still be open for development after the freeze include small aerodynamic body components and the front wing assembly on road course chassis.

"The CART Franchise Board continues to act in the best interest of our sport in facilitating cost cutting measures," said CART vice president of racing operations John Lopes. "Today's development freeze helps reduce the development expenses our teams wrestle with each season."

The two-day meeting of CART's teams and Franchise Board also produced an agreement to improve safety on the ovals. At the Grand Prix of Chicago a two-stage pit lane speed limiter will be introduced.

The new limiter maintains a speed of 50 mph after its first activated and increases to 85 mph when the button is pressed a second time. A third push gives the driver full control over his speed. The intention is to allow the cars to blend back into the race more easily and it will be used at the Chicago, Rockingham and Lausitz rounds.

The teams also agreed that from Mid-Ohio (August 11) onwards, the cars will be weighed with the driver included. Previously the car's weight was taken on its own, which led some competitors to feel that cars with a lighter driver were at an advantage.