car and driver weight!

[FastCar5]

Does anyone know if the proposed race car/driver weight-balancing scheme is or was or has been put into affect for this year? I remember reading about it, a while back, to equalize all the drivers’ weights, but have heard no more.
thanks.

[macdaddy]

CART.com posted the new 2003 rulebook last week...


9.2.4. Weight: Race cars will be weighed in the condition in which they leave the racing surface. Fuel will be removed. Coolant and lubricants will not be removed. The addition of any fluid or other ballast is not allowed to satisfy this requirement, except as provided for in this Rule Book. The Sr. Manager of Technology may impound parts replaced or exchanged during a competition to substantiate the vehicle weight for the race car during any portion of such competition. The minimum race car weight for each entrant at all Champ Car events will be adjusted by driver weight for that entrant. The adjustment will be made relative to the average driver weight on record with the CART Medical Department at the start of the race season. A bulletin will be issued prior to the first race listing the minimum car weight for each driver for oval and road course events. Driver weights may be rechecked at any time during the season to update the initial car weight bulletin.

9.2.4A. Superspeedway Events: Minimum weight - 1540 pounds +/- driver weight variance from the average driver weight as determined by the CART Medical Department.

9.2.4B. Oval and Road Course events: Minimum weight - 1565 pounds +/- driver weight variance from the average driver weight as determined by the CART Medical Department.

[Snrub]

It was definately the right thing to do, it makes it so drivers don't have disabilities or advantages. I could never understand how PT was so quick compared to other drivers. They say a rule of thumb with street cars is that reducing weight 100lbs = 0.09 in the 1/4. One would expect it to be more in CART, not to mention that turning and braking is effected too. The change was probably motivated by DaMatta's success, but a good change never the less.