CART sorry to see Honda go.

The CART organisation has admitted that it is disappointed with Honda's decision to quit the Champcar series from the end of 2002, claiming that the company had been involved in discussions over a new engine formula.

According to CART's senior vice-president of race operations, John Lopes, however, the series has to move forward and challenge its rivals, and a revised formula is seen as the best way if initiating this policy.

"Our mission is to aggressively grow CART, and CART racing, and a significant element of that challenge is maintaining and building the technical and competition side of our sport," he said, "CART is committed to creating engine specifications that are in the best interest of our sport.

"We believe this matter was of great enough importance that it was deliberated very seriously by all affected members of our organisation. That was done over several months by all those involved in this decision. CART has worked very closely with Honda, as well as our other engine suppliers, throughout this process and we understand their disappointment in the decision not going the way they were hoping it would."

The loss of Honda would leave CART with just engine manufacturers for 2003 - provided that Toyota and Ford do not decide to follow Honda's lead and pull out. The change to a 3.5 litre, normally aspirated, formula, however, would open the series up to engine builders currently involved in the rival Indy Racing League series, with which CART will share much common ground from 2003.

"We were disappointed to learn of the decision by Honda to not continue as a CART engine supplier in 2003," Lopes continued, "Honda has been a valued partner and supporter of the FedEx Championship Series and will be missed.

"However, we are actively pursuing our engine supplier options, and will continue to do so over the coming weeks and months. We are confident those efforts will develop engine alternatives that will enhance our sport."