Rockingham 500
 |
|
| 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) |
| 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 at the Rockingham Motor Speedway oval track in Corby, Northamptonshire, England, United Kingdom in 2001 and 2002. The event was the first major motor race held on an oval track featuring Champ Cars in the United Kingdom. It was created in the hope of rivalling the Formula One British Grand Prix, although CART had problems promoting the event to the public.
The inaugural race, held in 2001, was marred by drainage problems, and was won by Team Penske driver Gil de Ferran. It was last held the following year when a poor trading environment and inclement weather conditions affected the track. The race was moved to Brands Hatch for 2003 under the name London Champ Car Trophy. The event was instrumental in helping the Rockingham Motor Speedway become established on the world motor sport scene, and brought a new type of racing to Britain.
The plan to hold a CART motor race was revealed publicly in October 1999 by former property developer Peter Davies during the construction of the Rockingham Motor Speedway. It was announced in July 2000 that Rockingham would hold a race for the 2001 season. It would be the second event to occur in Europe, following the German 500 at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz in Klettwitz, Germany. The event would take place on a four-turn 1.479-mile (2.380 km) oval track that has banking of up to 7.9 degrees. The organisers signed a five-year contract with CART to hold the event. It would become the first time since 1978 that Champ Cars had participated in Europe, and the first time the vehicles had driven on an oval track in the United Kingdom. Several observers were doubtful about the chances of CART holding a race in England, noting that past similar schemes were unsuccessful. It was started in the hope it would rival the British Grand Prix.
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