CART praises KOOL involvement.

Despite losing one of its highest profile sponsors, following the announcement that the KOOL brand will no longer feature in its FedEx Championship Series, CART has praised parent company Brown & Williamson Tobacco for its foresight in investing in the sport.

After investing more than $120 million competing in CART and its ladder system over seven seasons, B&W has announced that it will not continue sponsorship of any motor racing following the end of the 2002 season. It has been a long-time backer of Team Green, with drivers Dario Franchitti and Paul Tracy, as well as sponsoring development formulae such as Toyota Atlantics.

"Brown & Williamson and KOOL went above and beyond what many sponsors offer in sports, lending their name not only to teams, but also to driver development programs in the Indy Lights and Toyota Atlantic series," said CART president and CEO Chris Pook on hearing confirmation of the withdrawal.

"They proved that there are many ways to do business in this sport and paved the way for others to follow their successful business model. It has been a pleasure for everyone associated with Championship Auto Racing Teams to have worked with them."

KOOL entered CART in 1996 and moved into Champ Car sponsorship with Team Green in 1997. Since then, KOOL-liveried cars have won 16 races and claimed eleven poles, finishing in the top five in the season championship on four occasions.