CHAMPCAR/CART: IRL: Team Rahal announces IndyCar expansion

Team Rahal announces Expansion of its 2004 Indy Racing League Program

Team will field two Honda/G-Force entries fulltime and three cars at Japan and Indy

HILLIARD, Oh. - Team Rahal co-owners Bobby Rahal and Dave Letterman announced today that their open-wheel racing operation will expand its involvement in the 2004 IRL IndyCar® Series beginning with the Japan Indy 300 on April 15-17 at Motegi, Japan.

Subsequently Team Rahal announced it was ceasing operation of its Champ Car World Series program. Team Rahal and primary sponsor Gigante have mutually agreed to conclude this chapter of their partnership.

"The ever evolving and difficult nature of the racing business and the state of our sport today requires that we must evaluate our programs and determine what is in the best interest of our team and our sponsors," said Bobby Rahal. "The decision has been made that it is best for our team to concentrate on having two cars for the entire IRL season and adding the third entry for Motegi and Indy. We have stated before that running a multiple car effort in a single series not only provides competitive advantages, but certain economic benefits. It was simply becoming too much of a drain on our team in terms resources and time to run championship caliber programs in IndyCar, Champ Car and Atlantics."

"I fully support our team's expansion in the IRL IndyCar Series," said Letterman. "Bobby and I believe the additional entry will increase our team's competitive level. "

Team Rahal will field two Honda G-Force Indy Cars for the remaining 14 races of the 16-race 2004 IRL season. The driver and primary sponsorship for the team's newest entry is being finalized and will be announced shortly. The team currently fields the No. 15 Pioneer/Argent Mortgage Honda G-Force for Buddy Rice who is filling in for the injured Kenny Brack. The team will campaign a third car in the Japan Indy 300 (April 17) and the Indianapolis 500 (May 30) with Roger Yasukawa.

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