Rd. 1--32nd annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
1.968 mile temporary street circuit
Previous Pole Winners(includes both F5000, F1 and CART/CCWS)
Mario Andretti(4)-1975, 1984, 1985, 1987
Michael Andretti(3)-1991, 1992, 1995
Gil de Ferran(3)-1996, 1997, 2000
Danny Sullivan(2)-1986, 1988
Al Unser, Jr.(2)-1989, 1990
Paul Tracy(2)-1994, 2005
Clay Regazzoni(1)-1976
Niki Lauda(1)-1977
Carlos Reutemann(1)-1978
Gilles Villeneuve(1)-1979
Nelson Piquet(1)-1980
Ricardo Patrese(1)-1981
Andrea de Cesaris(1)-1982
Patrick Tambay(1)-1983
Nigel Mansell(1)-1993
Bryan Herta(1)-1998
Tony Kanaan(1)-1999
Helio Castroneves(1)-2001
Jimmy Vasser(1)-2002
Michel Jourdain, Jr.(1)-2003
Race Winners(includes F5000, F1 and CART/CCWS)
Al Unser, Jr.(6)-1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995
Mario Andretti(4)-1977, 1984, 1985, 1987
Paul Tracy(4)-1993, 2000, 2003, 2004
Michael Andretti(2)-1986, 2002
Alex Zanardi(2)-1997, 1998
Brian Redman(1)-1975
Clay Regazzoni(1)-1976
Carlos Reutemann(1)-1978
Gilles Villeneuve(1)-1979
Nelson Piquet(1)-1980
Alan Jones(1)-1981
Niki Lauda(1)-1982
John Watson(1)-1983
Danny Sullivan(1)-1992
Jimmy Vasser(1)-1996
Juan Pablo Montoya(1)-1999
Helio Castroneves(1)-2001
Sebastien Bourdais(1)-2005
(NOTE)-Formula5000 ran here in 1975, Formula 1 from 1976-1983 and CART/CCWS from 1984-present
The season begins in the sunny climes of Southern California near where the Queen Mary cruise liner is berthed; this race is considered a crown jewel of the series, as is Surfers Paradise and Toronto. Hopefully, all the dust will have been shaken off by the teams before Friday practice; the track, tight is some areas, wide in others, is an unforgiving beast that can bite drivers is interesting ways. Reconfigured several times in its' history, the current layout has two long straights(Shoreline Dr.-front; Seaside Way-back), a tight, technical section and at the end of the course, a very tight-turning radius hairpin that leads onto Shoreline.
Rd. 2-Lone Star Grand Prix of Houston
1.7-mile temporary street circuit
2006-inaugural event
Round 2 marks the series's return to the state of Texas; the series last visited Houston in 2001, where a downtown circuit was used. This time, they'll be racing under the lights on a temp. circuit centered around Reliant Arena/Stadium near the old Astrodome.
Rd. 3-Tecate/Telmex Grand Prix of Monterrey(Fundidora Park)
2.104-mile natural terrain road course
Previous pole.race winners....
2001-Kenny Brack/Cristiano da Matta
2002-Adrian Fernandez/Cristiano da Matta
2003-Sebastien Bourdais/Paul Tracy
2004-Sebastien Bourdais/Sebastien Bourdais
2005-Sebastien Bourdais/Bruno Junquiera
Located in the city of Monterrey, Mexico, this track can confound even the best of teams. It's a mix of long straights, chicanes, technical sections, and two other items......lots of dust, and lots of near suffocating heat. The last three years the series has visited, the raceday temps. have been btwn. 85-90 degrees(F) with just enough humidity to feel like you're in a sauna, albeit a kinda dry sauna. This race marks 1 of the 2 races in the series' Corona Cup, which is awarded to the driver who has the best combined finish from both Monterrey and the season finale down in Mexico City.
As the season approaches, I'll add to this thread, giving readers a snapshot look at the the tracks that make up the Champ Car World Series. Have, fun, and enjoy!!
