Valencia’s Herta Signs With Forsythe for 2000 Season

Bryan Herta of Valencia has signed a contract with Forsythe Racing for the 2000 CART season.

Herta, 29, a graduate of Hart High, will drive a Swift--the only American-built chassis used in the CART series--with a Honda powerplant.

Tony Kanaan of Brazil was released from his contract with Forsythe to join a new team fielded by Morris Nunn, opening the door for Herta.

Steve Horne, president of Forsythe Racing, and Forsythe chief mechanic Steve Ragan teamed with Herta to win the 1993 Indy Lights championship for the Tasman Motorsports team.

The team is currently testing at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, the site of Herta’s two victories in six seasons in the CART series. CART will hold spring training at Homestead, Fla., Feb. 8-10.

* Chris Morgan of Port Hueneme has returned to Irwindale Speedway from a six-month leave of absence to become Director of Competition.

Morgan, 27, served as Race Director during the track’s 1999 inaugural season, but left in June to complete work on a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and political science at UC Santa Barbara.

FOOTBALL

* Robert Watts and Rob Fockaert of Paraclete High have committed to Utah State.

Watts, a Times All-Valley linebacker, and Fockaert, a quarterback, led the Spirits to three consecutive Southern Section titles.

BASKETBALL

* Jerry Jones, who was involved in a confrontation with one of his players, will remain as junior varsity boys’ coach at Calabasas High, Deborah Coleman, assistant superintendent of personnel services for the school district said.

“Some actions have been taken and some further actions could be taken,” Coleman said Wednesday. “But the coach will be back at practice today.”

The Jan. 12 confrontation led to officers from the Lost Hills Sheriff station being called to the scene and to an investigation by the Las Virgenes Unified School District. The investigation has concluded, Coleman said.