Rules changes approved as new advisors named.

A CART Franchise Board meeting at the organisation's Indianapolis headquarters resulted in a number of positive rule changes for 2003, and also established the members of the 2003 technical advisory and safety advisory committees.

The rule changes will take effect at the start of the 2003 Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford season. Perhaps the most notable rule changes empowered the CART stewards with more flexibility in regard to penalties. Specifically, the pit rules regarding the pit-lane speed limit and race car placement in the pit box have been changed to allow officials to alter the severity of penalties to better fit the infraction.

The rule regarding right of way for cars entering and exiting pit boxes has been clarified in an effort to prevent one car from interfering with another and having a detrimental affect on the competition. Also, competitors will not assume the lead of a race on pit-lane solely based on the location of their pit box. Lead changes will only occur on the race track or upon exiting the pits.

The 2003 aerodynamic rules were also established in the meeting. On short ovals in 2003, the aerodynamic package to be used will be identical to the 2002 road course package. On superspeedways, the aerodynamic package will be virtually identical to the package used on short ovals in 2002, with some modifications to the Gurney Flap on the rear wing to achieve the desired amount of drag.

In the event of extreme circumstances, CART stewards will also now have the option of declaring a race official before half of the scheduled distance has been run. However, only 50 per cent of the championship points will be awarded if a race is concluded with fewer than half of the race run.

Among the items discussed in the meeting was a proposal to eliminate the mandatory pit-stop window that was introduced in 2003, but this was voted down by the Franchise Board.

"As has been the case with all of our Franchise Board meetings in 2002, the meeting was another productive outing for everybody involved," said CART VP of racing operations John Lopes, "We were able to agree on many changes that will enhance our race weekends throughout the 2003 season, and we are confident that these changes will lead to better competition for our fans to enjoy in the coming year."

The 2003 technical advisory committee was named, and will consist of CART director of technology and competition Lee Dykstra, senior manager of electronics Kevin van der Laan, senior manager of technology Jim Robinson, Herdez Competition co-owner and MD Keith Wiggins, Team Rahal technical co-ordinator Ray Leto, Newman/Haas Racing chief engineer Peter Gibbons, and Player's/Forsythe Racing technical director Bruce Ashmore.

Additionally, the new safety advisory committee was also named and will consist of Dykstra, van der Laan, CART's chief orthopaedic consultant Dr Terry Trammell, senior manager of safety Lon Bromley, and Craig Wiggins of Lola Cars. A representative of Reynard Motorsport and a driver representative of the CART Drivers' Association will also be included in the safety advisory committee, and will be announced at a later time.