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Jackie Stewart Tours Site of 2000 U.S. Grand Prix

17 February 1999

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 


Indianapolis, US, February 17th 1999: Jackie Stewart, a competitor at
the 1966 and 1997 Indianapolis 500s and now Executive Chairman of the
Stewart-Ford team, yesterday (Tuesday, February 16th) became the first
current F1 participant to tour the new Formula One road course at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) and came away impressed with what
he saw.

Stewart toured the new course, currently under construction, with IMS
President Tony George, IMS director of engineering and construction Kevin
Forbes, and Dan Davis, director of Ford Racing Technology and head of
Ford's worldwide racing programs.

"It was great to be back here in Indianapolis," says Stewart. "The fact
there will be a US. Grand Prix in 2000 is a very big step forward for
Formula One. I have felt there has been a tremendous void in our form
of motor racing over the past couple of years because there has not been
a Grand Prix in the US."

"The US is still the capital of the business world, and I don't think we
have a team that in some sort of financial support, doesn't have a tie
to the US. Most of the multi-national corporations involved in our sport
either have their headquarters there, or its their largest market. I know
Ford is immensely pleased with the likelihood of a US Grand Prix. It was
a great priority to them and they were very active in lobbying for it."

"I think Tony and his people have done a great job at looking at what
they could do here and make a proper race course," says Davis. "We're
excited about the fact that Formula One is coming to the US, and the fact
that it is coming to Indy makes it even more special. We see this as our
'home track' now for Formula One, and Stewart-Ford as the 'home team'
for US fans to get behind."

Stewart was impressed with what he saw of the new course, including
the area where the cars will make their standing start along the front
straight-away.

"The fact that in all likelihood we will start along the hallowed row
of bricks at the start-finish line is very important in terms of the
heritage of this place," says Stewart. "And, for that matter, in the
heritage of motorsports. There's a great history in Formula One, and
there's a great history here, and to start near that row of bricks will
be great in terms of nostalgia."  For further information contact: