So we put the Atlantics programme together simply because we thought if we could develop a car that was more powerful, drove like a Champ Car, with a confirmed ladder into Champ Car, that it would certainly attract some attention. We never, for one second, expected the attention it has attracted, some 40‑odd cars. It's going to be some of the most exciting racing anywhere in the world. And it's an indication of the huge pent‑up demand there's really been for this style of racing and for this system. It's been a very powerful development factor because it brings new teams in to open‑wheel racing, it brings in drivers in, that allows to you create these new heroes and brings new sponsors in which transfers upwards as the teams, the drivers go up into Champ Car. So in every sense, it is the foundation of what we're anticipating into the future.
MC:
A couple other significant announcements were made, series will introduce standing starts this season, with the first two scheduled to take place at Cleveland in rounds five and six. Newman Walks Racing, co‑owned by legendary actor Paul Newman and his friend Eddie Wachs, announced a two‑driver line-up with Joe d'Agostino and Daniel Gaunt of New Zealand. Polestar Racing Group, Katherine's former Atlantic team, announced Alan Sciuto will be its new driver next season, with sponsorship from PKV Racing. And, also, Bright Racing announced a two‑car team with Chris Souliotis and Dutch driver Ben Jamini, which now brings the total to over 20 drivers announced for the 2006 Champ Car Atlantic Championship.
Let's open to questions...
Q:
Katherine, you've got to do one circuit, one season, on many of the tracks that Champ Car runs on, and I'm sure that will be an advantage for you, but have you given any thought yet to the tracks you haven't seen? Is that on your radar yet or are you focused on starting the job?
KL:
Absolutely. I'm obviously very focused on starting the job. Out of all of them, Milwaukee is the one that I worry about the most just because I've not driven on an oval. So I'll be very interested to go and do some testing there and find out what that's about.
