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CHAMPCAR/CART: Lola celebrates constructor's championship

INDIANAPOLIS (October 10, 2002) - Breaking a string of seven consecutive CART Constructor's Championships by Reynard Motorsport, Lola Cars celebrated its first CART title this weekend, joining the celebration with long-time partner Newman/Haas ...

INDIANAPOLIS (October 10, 2002) - Breaking a string of seven consecutive CART Constructor's Championships by Reynard Motorsport, Lola Cars celebrated its first CART title this weekend, joining the celebration with long-time partner Newman/Haas Racing after they sealed their fourth Champ Car championship.

Despite having clinched their own title weeks before, Lola kept the champagne on ice until it had a Vanderbilt Cup in hand as well, which it got this weekend when Cristiano da Matta (#6 Chevron Toyota/Lola/Bridgestone) clinched the 2002 Driver's Championship with a win in the Grand Prix Americas in Miami. The CART title was the fourth for Newman/Haas with Lola as the team and constructor combined to win championships with Mario Andretti (1984), Michael Andretti ('91) and Nigel Mansell ('93).

"Everyone at Lola is delighted for Newman/Haas," said Executive Chairman of Lola Cars International Ltd. Martin Birrane. "We congratulate them and Cristiano da Matta for the excellent job they have done this year. After the hard early years since we acquired Lola in 1997, this has been a long wait, but such dominant victories in the Driver's, Team's and Constructor's title chase are all the sweeter."

The company rolled into the season on a positive note, counting its 100th Champ Car victory among the 10 races Lola won last season. The Lola B02/00 chassis has carried CART drivers to wins in 13 of the 16 events this season and locked up the title with Bruno Junqueira's win in the Shell Grand Prix of Denver on September 1.

"On street courses, road circuits, long and short ovals, we have shown the teams what an excellent car the 2002 B02/00 truly is," said Jeff Swartwout, Vice President of Lola Cars USA. "This season, Lola sold more cars than ever before, against strong competition. The decision of those who chose to drive with Lola has been more than vindicated."

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