CART to Hold Race in Europe in 2001

The CART racing series is coming to Europe.

Andrew Craig, the chief executive officer of Championship Auto Racing Teams, confirmed Wednesday that the open-wheel racing series will make its European debut in 2001 in England or Germany.

Craig, in London to firm up the deal, said a European race would be run probably in the fall. He said the 2001 venue would be announced in two months.

CART will try to avoid going head-to-head with Europe’s highly popular Formula One circuit, which has 17 Grand Prix races this season, including one in England and two in Germany.

Craig said the 2001 CART schedule will remain at 20 races, with one U.S. event almost sure to be dropped. Reports suggest St. Louis will be the casualty.

--Associated Press

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Toyota Motor Sales USA has renewed its title sponsorship of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach through 2005.

“Our sanction with CART runs through 2005, and our agreement with the city of Long beach runs through 2010,” Chris Pook, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Assn. of Long Beach, said. “This event will be in very good hands for the next five years, and I have a feeling it will be for much longer than that.”

Toyota has sponsored the race since the inaugural Formula 5000 event in 1975.