New Mexico Track Announced
Plans for a $35 million racing facility, 18 miles west of Albuquerque, were unveiled yesterday. Built on 620 acres, the plans are for a 1.2 mile oval track and a separate 1.5 mile road course.

There would be seating for 49,000 spectators and 43 luxury boxes with seating for another 3,000 fans.

The facility is being proposed by the Albuquerque International Speedway Corporation and already has the backing of the Albuquerque Visitors and Convention Bureau and the Albuquerque Sports Council.

Marv Rodgers, a shareholder in the corporation and spokesman for the project, said work on the facility could begin next spring and the track could open as early as the spring of 1998. He also said that they were also beginning discussions with the Championship Auto Racing Teams, which includes most of the top names in Indy-car racing.

Fisher Named To Oversee CART's Racing Division
DETROIT – Michael J. Fisher, who has a comprehensive background in the areas of high technology, management and motorsports competition, has been named to the newly created position of Executive Vice President of Racing for Championship Auto Racing Teams, Inc.

The announcement was made today by CART President and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Craig and is part of CART’s ongoing reorganization. Fisher begins his duties in January.

Fisher will be responsible for all racing activities within CART. Included will be management supervision of the three departments that comprise CART’s racing division:

· Competition Department, which is responsible for all technical and rules issues
· Logistics Department, which oversees the movement of support equipment to race events
· Chief Steward’s Department, which is responsible for officiating each of CART’s 17 races held in the U.S., Canada, Brazil and Australia

Fisher is completing an outstanding 30-year Air Force career, having attained the rank of Colonel. He is an accomplished aviator who has logged 4,430 hours of flight time, including 3,404 hours in fighter jets . He has flown F-15, F-4, F-101, F-102, T-33, T-38 and T-37 aircraft, and has received numerous awards and decorations, including the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal.

In addition to his flying accomplishments, Fisher is highly skilled in the management of large-scale technical projects, complex problem solving and managing large groups of people. He held a number of positions in the Air Force, including Chief of Safety, Deputy Commander for Maintenance, and Chief of Training, all for the 142nd Fighter group. Most recently, he served as Investigations Officer under the direction of the Secretary of the Air Force Inspector General.

"We are extremely pleased and fortunate to have an individual of Mike’s stature joining us," Craig said. "He has a great deal of experience in a high-tech environment, which translates very well to our sport. We look forward to Mike becoming a senior member of the CART management team."

Fisher also brings a wealth of personal experience in motor sport. He has raced in many classes, including Can-Am and Formula Atlantic, as well as tested Trans-Am cars. He also holds the distinction of being the youngest American to take part in a Formula One event when, in 1967 at the age of 24, he finished 11th in the Canadian Grand Prix.

"Joining CART is a great opportunity," Fisher said. " The series is poised to move to the next level and I’m enthused about being a part of the CART team to help make that happen."

Walker and de Ferran Test at Firebird
Gil de Ferran and Walker Racing have spent the later part of this week testing the team's Valvoline/Cummins Reynard Honda at Firebird Raceway in Arizona. They are a pre-season favorite for the $1 million 1997 PPG Cup Championship. De Ferran joins Walker for his third season of PPG Cup competition after two years with the recently retired Jim Hall. Walker in turn has ran Valvoline's effort since 1994 with Robby Gordon behind the wheel for the last three seasons.