Vancouver extends race deal

The Vancouver race has had a fraught 12-year existence in the midst of the city's substantial urban development and was earlier thought to be in jeopardy when it became clear that Molson wanted to add a race in Montreal from 2002. But CART has warmed up to the idea of having a third Canadian race on its schedule.

"Molson is happy not only to continue but to grow our relationship with CART," commented Robert Singleton, V-P and general manager of Molson's Molstar Sports and Entertainment arm. "This is terrific news for race fans in Vancouver, and three races in Canada is very exciting for Molson."

The Vancouver track has been modified half a dozen times over the years as new buildings encroach on the street course that winds through the city's Concord Pacific Place. But it has become a firm favourite of teams, drivers and fans.

"You really have to give a large amount of credit to the race fans in the Vancouver area for their enormous support to keep the race in the area," said CART CEO Joe Heitzler. "Molstar is an outstanding partner for CART in promoting events and the combined efforts of the two clearly showed us it was beneficial to return to Vancouver."

Vancouver has traditionally occupied the Labor Day holiday slot on the Champ Car calendar, but that date will reportedly be awarded to a new race in Denver when the CART schedule is finalised. Vancouver will likely be run in June and twinned with the race in Portland, some 350 miles to the south.