DETROIT (Dec. 17, 1996) Championship Auto Racing Teams, Inc. introduced today a bold and forward-looking identity that encompasses the organization’s logo and name, CART President and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Craig announced.

The sanctioning organization, which has been known as IndyCar, will be recognized as Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART). Championship Auto Racing Teams was formed in 1978 and conducted its first race in 1979. The series has steadily grown ever since and has built on its American foundation to include races in 1997 in the United States, Canada, Brazil and Australia. CART also recently announced a race in Japan for 1998.

"The CART name is well established in the minds of our race fans," Craig said. "It is the name under which Championship Auto Racing Teams revitalized the sport in the eighties and we are proud to return to this name as we move the sport into the next century."

The name change is accompanied by the new red, white and blue logo. A waving checkered flag, the most universally recognized symbol of racing, is featured on a red background and the acronym, CART, is emblazoned on a blue background. The new trademark has been designed for use in both horizontal and vertical formats.

"Our new identity was developed with the specific intention to create a strong and valuable brand for the company," said Craig. "We worked to ensure that the logo communicates the essence of what we are – a bold, forward-looking racing organization. At the same time, we needed a mark that is of value to both our sponsors and licensees. We know from our market research that the logo communicates our message well, is visually strong and will help us as we continue to grow our business."

The new CART logo was designed by San Francisco-based Primo Angeli, Inc., a firm that specializes in design for marketing and communication. The company’s client list includes many of the world’s most distinguished corporations. Primo Angeli’s work has received more than 400 awards and among its many memorable designs is the official poster of the 1996 Summer Olympics.

CART’s series, formerly referred to as the PPG Indy Car World Series, will now be called the PPG CART World Series. The trophy given to the series champion will remain the PPG Cup, which was won this past season by Jimmy Vasser of Target/Chip Ganassi Racing.

The 1997 PPG CART World Series season will kick off March 2 with the Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami, presented by Toyota, at the Metro-Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex in Homestead, Fla.