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Road America: CART Breached Contract
Grand Prix of Road America Remains on Schedule
Cheryl Barnes/Road America
Elkhart Lake, Wisc., Dec. 18, 2003—Road America has notified CART that CART
breached its 2004 sanctioning agreement when it attempted to assign its
non-transferable contract with Road America to the Open Wheel Racing Series (OWRS),
according to George Bruggenthies, president and general manager. CART
signed over its assets to OWRS on Dec. 15 and filed for bankruptcy on Dec. 16.
CART alleges that the Road America contract now is part of the bankruptcy
proceedings to be decided by an Indianapolis judge. Road America's attorneys
notified CART on Monday, Dec. 15.
"All of CART's assets are before a bankruptcy judge," said
Bruggenthies, "and resolution of the bankruptcy issues could take quite a
while. Everything is up on the air, and again this year Road America's race
fans can't make definitive plans.
"No one can predict the future, and the future for CART at this point is
uncertain," he continued, "because everything is in the hands of a
judge who must make a decision on a complicated bankruptcy."
"The Grand Prix of Road America's schedule will go forward with the
notation 'CART to be determined'," said Bruggenthies, because of the
uncertainty. Other series slated to compete during the Grand Prix of Road
America Presented by the Chicago Tribune weekend include Motorock Trans-Am
Series for the BF Goodrich Cup, Toyota Atlantic and a Barber Dodge Pro Series
doubleheader. Other series may be added.
"We have a business to run, and at the most basic level, products to
sell," Bruggenthies continued. "Our product is racing entertainment
and all that involves, from race fans making summer plans and buying tickets
to corporate relationships.
"We need adequate time to market our schedule. This unexpected maneuver
by CART has really placed things up in the air for 2004," he said.
"We must be responsive to the motorsports business and work to deliver an
excellent racing and entertainment experience for Road America's race fans,
sponsors, riders and drivers."
In 2003 Road America negotiated, with race legend Mario Andretti's help, a
two-year contract with CART to end in 2004.
"It appears that there may be a new management group who may now define
Champ Cars." Bruggenthies said. "We'll keep the lines of
communication open, and like other open-wheel race fans, hope for the
best."
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