By: Lance Hastie
In a constructive move the champ car governing body of CART has ruled that the inclusion of traction control to its cars
is to be allowed from the start of the 2002 season.
With the 2002 CART season kicking off with the Monterrey round, based in Mexico on the 10th of March the cars will now
be able to utilise the benefits that come with traction control.
Unanimously voted in by the franchise board of CART franchise owners, the mid-February decision addresses many of the
concerns the series had in policing its use.
"Traction control and the policing of this technology has become a major issue worldwide in motorsports and after its
legalisation in Formula One, we believed we needed to work with our participating manufacturers in bringing this
technology forward in the CART FedEx Championship Series," said CART President and CEO Christopher R. Pook. "After
several meetings with our valued manufacturer partners, we have created an acceptable format for introducing traction
control, and I want to personally thank Honda, Toyota and Ford for their professionalism, cooperation and flexibility."
After subtle lobbying, the manufacturers are naturally delighted with the decision as for many it is a reflection on
what is already available in road cars - such as Toyota.
Traction control is a method that detects and compensates for wheel spin, introducing the same sort of car control as
has been achieved with anti-lock braking systems.
Hailed as a positive step in Champ Car circles, the three engine manufacturers (Honda, Toyota and Ford) have asked for
an additional three test days to fine tune the implementation of the new technology ahead its introduction at the first
round in mid-March.
"Achieving this decision was a cooperative process that involved all of the franchise owners and all three engine
manufacturers," said CART Vice President of Racing Operations John Lopes. "By allowing the use of traction control, we
are now employing in our race cars one of the high-tech safety components used in Honda, Ford and Toyota passenger
cars." Along with the decision to allow traction control, the engine manufacturers requested and were granted three
additional manufacturer test days to assist them in their development of traction control systems. These three test days
are in addition to the three days allowed each manufacturer for general testing, and will be available to the
manufacturers at any time. CART will also develop a system for engine inspections, including a regular system of engine
teardowns; and no additional sensors will be allowed aside from those currently permitted under CART rules. With 19
rounds in this year's championship, the introduction of traction control for 2002 and beyond is also of major benefit to
the safety of the cars on the track - a major concern of the CART board.