CART, Rahal expand 'Stars of Tomorrow' programme.

Nearly all great racecar drivers from every era of open-wheel racing have started their racing careers by competing in some form of karting, and CART has now taken further steps to ensure that those that start in karts have an opportunity to grow into the Champcar drivers of the future.

Further solidifying the initial rung on its successful Ladder System, CART has agreed in principal to expand its relationship with the 'Stars of Tomorrow' programme, which was started by former CART driver Bryan Herta to help karters reach the next level of racing. The 'Stars of Tomorrow' series is the first official step in the CART Ladder System that also includes the Skip Barber Formula Dodge National Championship, Barber Dodge Pro Series, Toyota Atlantic Championship and the CART FedEx Championship Series.

The 'Stars' programme will now be run by the Rahal Group, in conjunction with Herta, with marketing and communications efforts led by Glenn Holland. Paul Zalud will oversee the operational aspect of the series.

"As we continue to grow, we are taking steps to make sure that the top tier of young drivers have every opportunity to make CART a major part of their racing career," said CART CEO and president Chris Pook, "Having the backing of one of CART's memorable champions in Bobby Rahal only goes to show the effort that we are putting into our Ladder System."

"I am proud and excited to become involved with 'Stars of Tomorrow', and to help further coordinate 'Stars' operations with CART," Rahal added, "The group we now have with Paul [Zalud] and Glenn [Holland] gives 'Stars' the skill, experience, and connections necessary to take the series, and karting as a whole, to new heights."

The tentative 2003 schedule for the 'Stars of Tomorrow' series consists of six locations and twelve races by virtue of running double-race weekends. The series will run in accordance with FIA-CIK regulations, using CIK approved classes ICC [Intercontinental C 125cc gearbox], ICA [Intercontinental A 100cc direct drive], JICA [Junior Intercontinental A 100cc with clutch], and World Formula [four-stroke price-capped spec] karts.

The proposed involvement with the CART Ladder System also will ensure that the top drivers in the 'Stars of Tomorrow' series receive benefits from all levels of the Ladder, including invitations to the Barber CART Karting Scholarship Shootout, which awards four promising karters with a Barber-CART Karting Scholarship to the Skip Barber Formula Dodge National Championship. The 'Stars of Tomorrow' programme will also be part of a grassroots marketing effort that looks to introduce the karting world to opportunities in CART. Announcements regarding sponsorship, awards and exposure will be released by 'Stars of Tomorrow' in the near future.

CART 'Stars of Tomorrow' schedule 2003 - provisional:

April 25-27 Las Vegas rounds 1&2
May 16-18 Sonoma rounds 3&4
June 12-14 Denver rounds 5&6
July 25-27 BeaveRun rounds 7&8
Aug 15-17 Road America* rounds 9&10
September 12-14 tba rounds 11&12

November 6-9 tba Grand Nationals

[* denotes round to be run at CART race meeting]