"The adoption of a new, normally aspirated 3.5-liter engine formula for 2003 by CART forces Honda to discontinue its participation in the open-wheel series," said Tom Elliott, president of Honda Performance Development.

CART president Joseph Heitzler announced on Oct. 4 that the series would switch from its longtime 2.65 liter, turbocharged configuration to a normally aspirated (non-turbocharged) engine with a block ranging from 3.0 to 3.5 liters. That would be close to the engine formula currently being used in the rival Indy Racing League, meaning the CART teams could more easily move between the two open-wheel series.

Toyota announced earlier this year it would build an IRL engine beginning in 2003 and probably would likely leave CART unless its engine rules more closely resembled those of the rival series.

Officials at Honda and Ford reacted strongly to the unexpected rules announcement by CART, with both of the series' other two engine suppliers contending that they had been assured there would be no change until 2004.

Elliott said Honda was further upset in June when, after Toyota lodged a complaint, CART ruled that an airflow design in the turbocharger system, used by both Honda and Ford to increase horsepower, was disallowed.

"Over the past months CART has implemented engine rules changes that run counter to long established regulations that govern engine rules stability," Elliott said Friday. "These actions are a clear indication that Honda can no longer put its trust in the CART rule book or those who administer it."

Although it will be between 30 and 60 days before CART announces the actual specifications of its new engines for 2003 and beyond. Elliott said that was not a factor in Honda's decision.

"It takes Honda two years to design, test and develop an all-new racing engine," he said. "This two-year timetable is in accordance with CART rules and regulations. It's impossible for Honda to continue to develop and produce the current turbocharged engine for the '02 season and, at the same time, divert the resources needed to develop an all-new 3.5 liter, normally aspirated engine."

John Lopes, senior vice president of race operations for CART, said the company was disappointed by Honda's announcement, but added, "We believe this matter was of great enough importance that it was deliberated very seriously by all affected members of our organization. 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. We are actively pursuing our engine supplier options and will continue to do so over the coming weeks and months."

Since joining CART in 1994, Honda has won 60 poles and 60 races in 143 events, as well as five consecutive driver championships and three manufacturers championships.

Gil de Ferran, driving a Honda-powered car, is the current points leader heading into Sunday's Honda Grand Prix at Laguna Seca Raceway. He leads the Ford-powered entry of Kenny Brack by 10 points with three races remaining.

Winning rubber
Whoever wins Sunday at Laguna Seca, it will be the 100th CART victory for Firestone, now the exclusive tire supplier for the series.

Firestone returned to the Champ car series in 1995 in direct competition with Goodyear. It's longtime rival dropped out of open-wheel racing in 2000. By that time, Firestone had begun dominating the series, winning 18 of 19 races in 1998 and 19 of 20 in 1999.

"None of us with the program when it was initiated had an inkling we'd be celebrating our 100th CART race victory so quickly," said Al Speyer, director of Bridgestone/Firestone Motorsports. "Even though we've been the sole tire supplier for the last two years, we earned a majority of those 100 wins (62 of 89) when we faced another tire company."

Another chance
Cristiano da Matta won the season-opening race in Monterrey, Mexico and hasn't come close to a victory since.

Now, at another Monterey, da Matta is hoping the magic will return, although there isn't much similarity in the tracks.

"I think the only similarity between the road course in Monterrey, Mexico and the road course in Monterey, Calif., is the name of the city," the young Brazilian driver said. "The track in Mexico is flat, with virtually no hills. The one is California is all uphill and downhill. I don't think there is even one flat place on the track.

"There are bumps here, too. The one in Mexico was pretty smooth."

Da Matta has also won in Monterey, Calif., but only in an Indy Lights race in 1999.

"It's like being on a roller coaster," he said of the California track. "I always come back to Laguna Seca and think, 'Wow, I forgot how much fun this place is."