AUGUST 16, 2002

Shell to build up CART presence?

Word is leaking from the United States of America that Shell is going to have a much bigger presence in CART next year with plans for Team Rahal to run a three-car Shell team in the series. Shell is currently sponsoring just one car for Jimmy Vasser while Rahal's second car is backed by the Mexican retail company Gigante.

If the news is confirmed it will be a big boost for CART which continues to suffer from a sinking share price (now down to $4.50). Things will not have been helped by the fact that Jacques Villeneuve says that he has not had any talks about moving to CART. This is an odd thing to say given that Gerald Forsythe has said that he is trying to sign up Villeneuve. Clearly, someone is not telling the whole truth in this matter - or perhaps using words to give impressions that are not strictly correct.