CART GRAND PRIX OF MID-OHIO FACT SHEET
CART GRAND PRIX OF MID-OHIO FACT SHEET WHAT: CART Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio Round 11 of 19 in the CART FedEx Championship Series WHO: Champ Car drivers including Cristiano da Matta, Michael Andretti, Paul Tracy, Dario Franchitti, Kenny Brack, Patrick Carpentier, Kenny Brack, Bruno Junqueira, Michel Jourdain Jr., and Jimmy Vasser are all scheduled to race. WHERE: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 7721 Steam Corners Rd. Lexington, Ohio 44904 WHEN: Thursday, August 8 - Sunday, August 11 PROMOTER: TrueSports, Inc. SANCTIONING BODY: Championship Auto Racing Teams, Inc. SERIES SPONSOR: Federal Express Corp. RACE LENGTH: 92 laps/207.736 miles COURSE: 2.258-mile, 13-turn permanent road course DEFENDING Helio Castroneves CHAMPION: 1:44:54.931 / 106.627 mph TRACK RECORD: One Lap (2.258 miles) Dario Franchitti (08/99) Gil de Ferran (08/00) 1:05.347 / 124.394 mph EVENT HISTORY: The first CART event held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course took place in 1980, with Johnny Rutherford driving his Chaparral-Cosworth to the top of the podium. This year marks the 21st CART FedEx Championship Series event (there was no race in 1981 and 1982) held at Mid-Ohio. Past race winners are Mario Andretti (1984), Michael Andretti (1990, 1991), Helio Castroneves (2000, 2001), Teo Fabi (1983, 1989), Adrian Fernandez (1998), Emerson Fittipaldi (1988, 1992, 1993), Roberto Guerrero (1987), Juan Montoya (1999), Bobby Rahal (1985, 1986), Johnny Rutherford (1980), Al Unser, Jr. (1994, 1995) and Alex Zanardi (1996, 1997). In the 20 previous races held at the circuit, seven race winners have gone on to capture the Series Championship in that season: Juan Montoya (1999), Alex Zanardi (1997) Al Unser, Jr. (1994), Michael Andretti (1991), Bobby Rahal (1986), Mario Andretti (1984), Johnny Rutherford (1980). At last year's Miller Lite 200, Gil de Ferran defended his pole position from 2000 as the quickest qualifier around the circuit. And just like 2000, de Ferran finished second and watched Team Penske teammate Helio Castroneves climb the fence after successfully defending his Miller Lite 200 title. Team Player's Patrick Carpentier edged fellow Canadian Paul Tracy of Team Kool Green for a third place finish to round out the podium. SUPPORT EVENTS: Barber Dodge Pro Series The Barber Dodge Pro Series is the Official Entry Level Professional Race Series of CART, providing young drivers an opportunity to break into open-wheel racing. The series features a "spec" format, placing emphasis on driver development and skill rather than equipment. Competitors race identically prepared cars owned, maintained and transported by the Barber Dodge Pro Series. The Reynard chassis are powered by 3.5-liter, V6 Dodge engines capable of producing 265 horsepower. Formula Ford 2000 Zetec Championship These two-liter formula cars are another breeding ground to a successful open-wheel racing career. Memo Gidley, Alex Tagliani and the late Greg Moore are among those who have moved in to a CART car after driving in the F2000 series. Grand American Cup The Grand-Am Cup features cars that are actual production cars with minimal racing modifications designed for safety and performance. Four classes of cars are on track at the same time competing for both overall and class wins during every race. Classes are Grand Sport I, made up of high end sports and GT models; Grand Sport II, featuring popular sport and muscle cars; Sport Touring I, including various small to mid size model four door sedans; and Sport Touring II, with small sedans from all of the world's major car manufacturers. TICKETS: Call 1-800-MID-OHIO or 419-884-4000, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., or visit the track's web site at www.midohio.com <http://www.midohio.com>.