CHAMPCAR/CART: Herdez Competition prepares for 2004

Herdez Competition Builds on 2003 Success for 2004 Championship Contention

Indianapolis, IN (March 4, 2004) -- Coming off the best season in their three-year history, Herdez Competition has spent the off-season expanding and improving for the 2004 Champ Car World Series. The team grew to a two-car effort in 2003 and enjoyed a successful transition, earning a one-two sweep at Miami; four podiums and Mario Dominguez's sixth place finish in the series championship.

Since its inception in 2000, when it purchased the assets of Bettenhausen Motorsports, Herdez Competition has focused on building a race team that is centered on sound business principles. Managing Director/Co-Owner, Keith Wiggins, has targeted growth both on and off the track, " 2003 was a pivotal year for the team in moving into a front-running position. By closely integrating the technical, operational and commercial aspects of the team, we are developing a solid business like organization in which each department understands and compliments each other's objectives".

As part of the team's growth, the race shop has expanded by more than 60% since the end of the 2003 season, bringing all team facilities and equipment housed indoors, under one roof. The new facilities include a modern paint shop and a dedicated area for pit-stop practice and an area for the hospitality operations. Both Herdez Competition transporters and the team's hospitality unit are now kept in-doors. "The expansion of the race shop allows us to manage all facets of the race-team under one roof and gives us more flexibility in development as a Championship contending race team" said team manager, Vince Kremer.

The engineering department, led by Technical Director Tom Brown has also transitioned during the off-season. Further staffing improvements have been made and the wind tunnel and seven-poster rig testing programs have continued. Brown was pleased with the gains the team made in 2003 but feels they will be even stronger in 2004. "2003 was a very critical year for our engineering department. We had a completely new structure and new organizational methods that enabled us to expand to two cars. With further improvements in that structure during the off-season, we are now exploring developments and improvements that were just dreams for us in the past," said Brown.

The preparations continue for the 2004 Champ Car World Series, Herdez Competition has a rigorous test schedule planned prior to the season opener at the 30th running of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. For more information please visit www.TeamHerdez.com.

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