CART loses one oval race for 2001

[KC]

The "Roval" course, Fittipaldi Speedway, at Nelson piquet Motorsports Park has been changed. The race wil be held on the road course at the park instead of the "roval" course. this is being done in the belief that it will prove more popular to Brazilians. Apparently Emerson Fittipaldi has been working on this for some time with Brazilian officials and the FIA. Remember, as part of their FIA membership, CART is supposed to limit their road course events to existing events and within the confines of North America.

I'd like to see more of this but the "roval" course was one of the more entertaining tracks on CART's circuit. Such is progress.

[Heeltoe6]

"Remember, as part of their FIA membership, CART is supposed to limit their road course events to existing events and within the confines of North America."

This is no longer true. Sue to possible EU anti-trsut suits, F1 only prohibits CART on running on the same track. Non F1 road courses are fair game


While I prefer road racing, I am kinda sad to see Rio good. It was a unique and challenging oval with a good layout. Much better than the ovals we are picking up(ie TMS and Lautzinring; Rockingham has an interesting design though)

[KC]

Excellent news. I am glad to hear that CART is no longer subject to the whims of Bernie.

[Liz]

I loathe ovals and hope that from now on we will see a lot more road courses in CART. These cars are designed as road cars, not NASCARs after all!

Good news all round.

[kuchi]

I think that eventhough ovals are kind of boring, Rio had some interesting aspects, like cars setup, and that makes it enjoyable, so I don´t know why they are trying to change it, maybe because teams don´t want to work that hard to get the right setup.

[KC]

The apparent reason is that they believe that more Barzilians will attend the race if it is road course event instead of an ova event.

[kuchi]

I think brazilians are very into racing, and they don´t care if the race is an oval or a road course, so I don´t understand why they changed it, because what´s more interesting than a "roval".

[Liz]

Virtually any road course?

[AndrettiRULES]

I've also heard they wanted to change it to the road course because the current race date is during the rainy season in Brazil. So they thought it would be better if they went to the road course, so they wouldn't have to delay the race because of rain.

AR

[robert2000]

Don't CART want to run on the Gilles Villeneuve circuit in Montreal? Could the FIA prevent that happeneing?

[Liz]

They can try. I'd like to be involved in the court case that would spark! Seems to me that would constitute "Restraint of Trade" which is illegal in Canada, I am sure.

I wish they'd run at Tremblant though. That is a fantastic track.

[torsion_bar]

Mosport!

If CART want to race at a different circiut in Canada, Mosport would be real nice. The wild ALMS race that McNish
won there supports my point. I don't think I remember seeing any chicanes at Mosport.

As for the changing to the road course in Brazil, is it one of those modern slow corner chicane extravaganzas or is it a real road course?

[Crash Test]

Its the real thing. Same as when F1 raced there, but changed slightly to accomodate the Roval. 500cc bikes race there. Not a classic, but not too shabby all the same. No chicanes