CART FedEx Championship Series | |
---|---|
Venue | Rockingham Motor Speedway |
Location | Corby, Northamptonshire, England, United Kingdom |
Corporate sponsor | Sure For Men (2002) |
First race | 2001 |
Last race | 2002 |
Previous names | Sure For Men Rockingham 500 (2002) |
Most wins (driver) | Gil de Ferran (1) Dario Franchitti (1) |
Most wins (team) | Team Penske (1) Team Green (1) |
Most wins (manufacturer) | Reynard (1) Lola (1) |
Circuit information | |
Surface | Tarmac |
Length | 2.380 km (1.479 mi) |
Turns | 4 |
Lap record | 25.217 (Jimmy Vasser, Lola-Ford, 2002) |
The Rockingham 500 was an annual Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) motor race held in 2001 and 2002 at the Rockingham Motor Speedway oval track in Corby, Northamptonshire, England, United Kingdom. The race was the first major motor race in the United Kingdom to be held on an oval track with Champ cars. It was created in the hope of competing with the Formula One British Grand Prix, but CART had difficulty publicising the event.
The first race, in 2001, was marred by drainage issues and won by Team Penske's Gil de Ferran. It was last held the following year, when the track was hampered by a poor trading environment and inclement weather. For 2003, the race was relocated to Brands Hatch and renamed the London Champ Car Trophy. The race helped Rockingham Motor Speedway establish itself on the global motorsport scene, and it introduced a new type of racing to the UK.