source:
motorsportmatch.com
The Toyota Atlantic Championship Presented by Yokohama has become the first
racing series to promote itself through a banner advertisement and hyperlink on
the motorsportmatch.com website which introduces drivers to teams - and teams to
drivers.
The series is entering its 32nd season of competition in 2005. The 12-race
championship is considered the top open-wheel driver development series in North
America, racing in not only the United States, but Canada and Mexico as well.
The series is owned and sanctioned by the Champ Car World Series LLC, located in
Indianapolis, Indiana.
Champ Car also owns and operates the Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World
Series Powered by Ford. Many of the current drivers competing in Champ Car came
up through the Toyota Atlantic ranks, including 2004 Champ Car Rookie of the
Year and 2003 Atlantic champion AJ Allmendinger, along with Alex Tagliani and
Ryan Hunter-Reay. The 2005 Toyota Atlantic Champion will earn a one-race Champ
Car ride at the series season finale in Mexico City in November. Champ Car has
also agreed to provide test sessions to the top Atlantic point producers in
2005, following the completion of the Atlantic season.
The Toyota Atlantic Championship is under the direction of Managing Director
Vicki O'Connor.
The cars that compete in the series are single-seat, open-wheel Champ Car-style
vehicles manufactured by Swift Engineering. All engines run in the series are
1.6-liter, four-cylinder, non-turbocharged, 16-valve, fuel-injected, dual
overhead-cam, Toyota 4A-GE engines. The cars are capable of producing 240
horsepower at 9,500 rpm and can run at speeds in excess of 165 mph. All Atlantic
cars are run on purpose-built, Yokohama ADVAN racing slicks, manufactured by the
Yokohama Tire Corporation.