source:
cart.com
It is no coincidence that a Champ Car World Series driver refers to his car
as a rocketship on those weekends when he and his team find themselves at the
head of the pack.
The similarity between Champ Cars and rockets is more than just a driver catch
phrase, as the 750hp turbocharged race cars have evolved into machines that
utilize numerous state-of-the-art aerodynamic devices to keep the cars racing
for the checkered flag instead of the stars.
Checkered flags aside, there is still a race for the stars going on and the
Champ Car World Series has just become a key part of it. The open-wheel racing
series announced today that it would become the presenting sponsor of the X
PRIZE Competition, which is an international race offering $10 million to the
first private team to finance, construct and fly a manned spaceship.
"This is a natural fit for Champ Car, as our teams and drivers spend every
waking moment trying to develop ways to push the limits of man and machine,"
said series President Dick Eidswick. "The X PRIZE competitors are pushing toward
the same goal that we are, albeit a few more miles above the ground! We are
excited about being involved with this project and look forward to seeing these
brave pilots complete their mission."
Started in 1996, the X PRIZE of $10 million will be awarded to the first private
team that can finance, construct and launch an aircraft that can carry three
passengers in a flight that reaches 62 miles (100 km) and return safely to land
- and then repeat the feat two weeks later. There are currently 27 teams from
seven countries that are building crafts for this competition, which ends
January 1, 2005. A complete listing of teams and profiles of their spaceships
can be found at www.xprize.org