by Lynne Huntting

Champ Car's expansion into Europe could continue in 2009, with suggestions that the series could add a street race to its future plans.

After successful events in Holland and Belgium this year, the calendar has gained a third European event for 2008, at Jerez in southern Spain, and it was while gathering reaction to that that word about a possible city centre event came to light.

Champ Car's resident Spaniard, Oriol Servia, has admitted that he is thrilled about the series going to his homeland next year, even though his own future remains up in the air after a fragmented, two-team, season in 2007.

“I think it's fabulous," the Catalan grinned, "In Spain, there is a huge interest in racing, especially at Jerez, which really draws the fans. Jerez is an awesome track, challenging, with a few places for overtaking and lots of action guaranteed."

Asked if he had any prior knowledge of the scheduling of Champ Car in Spain. Servia revealed that he had learned of the plans while working on 'another venue' for 2009. Pressed for details, he let slip that the other venue is a street race 'in a city', although he just smiled when asked which city. Servia admitted, however, that a street race would be good for Europe, which already has a lot of good road courses.

Champ Car has highlighted street racing, with long-standing events in Long Beach, Toronto and Surfers Paradise among the mainstays of its schedule, but will have only five such events on its 2008 calendar following the loss of Las Vegas and San Jose from 2007, and the non-event in Phoenix which was due to have closed the current campaign.