Vasser gives new track his seal of approval

Vasser lapped the track along with Mexican CART racer Michel Jourdain Jr and Indy Lights driver Mario Dominguez, who also hopes to graduate to Champ Cars this season.

"The drivers are going to have a lot of fun here," said Vasser. "The circuit is very interesting in its design and it's going to be very technical and very interesting. It has a lot of non-traditional corners, a wide variety of turns and there are potentially some good passing zones. It's going to be very interesting to see the different lines and styles that the drivers will use to attack this course."

The 1996 CART champ added: "It's very smooth and very wide. Another thing I like is there are great vantage points all around the track for the fans."

The circuit is located at Fundidora Park in northern Mexico, and its 2.1 mile layout features 12 turns - including three chicanes and a banked left-hand sweeper that leads on to a 190mph straight. CART last raced in Mexico in 1981, and the new circuit will be christened by America's top single-seater series on March 11.