The Aussie Champ Car Series

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Get ready for plenty of thrills and spills on the opening lap of the Champ Car race at the Lexmark Indy 300 with a new ‘standing start’ adding to some exciting changes for the international open wheel category. A round of the Champ Car World Series will be staged on the Gold Coast with Aussie fans set to witness some new initiatives, close and fast racing with a touch of Aussie flavour. Champ Car has introduced a standing start for their race replacing the former rolling start which is set to create even more excitement and interest on the opening lap.

This year Champ Car has also introduced a new chassis called the Panoz DP01 which is lighter, more economical and has a new aerodynamics package for more competitive racing. The design incorporates a number of changes to the existing car, including paddle shifters, additional ‘sharkfin’ elements as well as wing improvements, and a change of the seat angle for the drivers designed to improve driver safety. All Champ Car races in 2007 will be timed races with the Lexmark Indy 300 scheduled for 1 Hour 45 Minutes. As the elapsed time of the race approaches, a signal indicating one lap to go will be displayed to the field, with the race ending upon the next time the leader crosses the start/finish line.

There will be even more Aussie interest in the Champ Car World Series this season with the addition of former F1 team owner Paul Stoddart to the Champ Car team owner’s list. Stoddart will campaign Team Minardi in the Champ Car World Series and is sure to generate some spirited Aussie rivalry with fellow team owner Craig Gore of Team Australia.

Gore said he tipped big things from his second-year Aussie driver Will Power who scored his maiden pole position on the Gold Coast last year. “I have been proud to have been able to contribute so much to the Lexmark Indy 300 through the Team Australia program over the past three years, ” said Gore. “Will Power taking pole in one of our cars last year was certainly one of the highlights of my life.

“All the indicators suggest that Will can be a major contender for this year’s championship and it would be fantastic if we could take the next step towards that goal by winning on the streets of Surfers Paradise. “We are all about taking Aussie Vineyards and our other corporate partners to the world through our Champ Car, NASCAR and V8 Supercar programs, and obviously the Lexmark Indy 300 is a vital part of that. ” Stoddart said it was exciting for the Lexmark Indy 300 to have another Aussie factor involved in the event. “The Lexmark Indy 300 is already well established as one of the best attended and most popular events on the Champ Car schedule, ” said Stoddart.

“Craig and I both know how passionate the Aussie fans are about their motor racing, and it’s great they will have two teams with Australian connections to support this year. I’m sure there will be a healthy rivalry between Team Minardi USA and Team Australia throughout the season, and I’m equally sure it will be particularly strong once we get to home turf at the Surfers Paradise round. “Whatever the outcome though, we’ll do our best to ensure the fans have a great weekend. ” Stoddart said 2007 would be a great season for the Champ Car World Series.

“The arrival of a new chassis, new drivers and new races, including overseas rounds in China, the Netherlands and Belgium, should mean all teams are participating on a relatively level playing field this year. “Combined with the adoption of standing starts at selected rounds, you have a surefire recipe for close, exciting and crowd-pleasing racing. “There’s no doubt Champ Car is currently a good place to be, and I’m certain the 2007 edition of the Lexmark Indy 300 will once again prove to be a memorable event. ”

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Aussie, Aussie, Aussie At Lexmark Indy 300

Mar 06, 2007

The Lexmark Indy 300 will be a ‘true blue’ international festival with Australian V8 Supercars, Australian teams, Australian drivers and Australian owners when it hits the streets of the Gold Coast over four days and four nights from October 18 to 21.

Australia’s biggest international motorsport event will POWER ON following today’s Ticket Launch held at Conrad Jupiters. Queensland Minister for Local Government, Planning and Sport Mr Andrew Fraser said the Lexmark Indy 300 was one of the world’s most enjoyable racing events. “With more people attending the four-day event than the Grand Prix in Melbourne, it can now be regarded as the premier motor racing event in Australia, ” said Mr Fraser.

“Indy is now in its 17th year and it’s with enormous pride that there is now an Australian feel to the event with Aussie owners, Aussie cars and Aussie drivers. “Worldwide, this event promotes our state to a potential audience of 900 million in 164 countries and this year’s event will again showcase our magnificent coastline. “Last year Will Power became the first Australian-born driver to start a Champ Car race from the front row and it would be great to see him enter the winner’s circle.

http://www.autoracingdaily.com/artic...mark_indy_300/