MOTEGI, Tochigi Pref., Japan -RIJ- Good afternoon from hot and humid Twin Ring Motegi opening ceremony day after heavy rain.

1996 CART World Series Champion Jimmy Vasser drove his Champion car No.12 Reynard 96I Honda as demonstration on the first oval in Japan after tape-cut for opening ceremony. It has been rain before the ceremony and Vasser had to run with rain tires on 1.5 mile high speed oval track.

Although his top speed was 100 mph, "Very fantastic track! I look forward to racing here next year. Race's average speed will be 220 mph," said Vasser after demonstration driving. His special rain oval tires were made last night by hand grooving. "I experienced rain tires for oval track, first time!" added Vasser.

"Twin Ring Motegi is current top racing facility in the World," said CART CEO Andrew Craig before the tape cut ceremony. NASCAR Vice President Ken Clap, Tochigi Prefecture Governor, Motegi Town Mayor, JAF Vice President and the Honda President Nobuhiko Kawamoto were did speeches and tape cut, too.

Here are two long courses, 1.5 mile high speed oval for CART and NASCAR, 3 miles road track for Formula Nippon, GT, Touring Car and Motorcycle Road Race, and four Short Courses -- 1 km Short Road Course for mini racing series, 1/4 and 1/8 mile dirt oval for Midget, 380 meters Kart Course and Multi Course for safety driving training.

Vasser will drive on Saturday and Sunday for public opening events, too. NASCAR Winston Cup Cars, Japanese GT Cars, Touring Cars, Drag Racing Cars and Motorcycles will demonstrate this weekend, too.

All CART team will attend to test days on October 30 - November 2. 1998 CART opening race the Budweiser 500 will be held on March 26 (Thu.) to 28 (Sat.) It will be first CART race in Japan, but first Indycar race was held in 1966 at Fuji Speedway by 22 drivers and Jackey Stewart won the race.

RIJ-Mitsuru Sugaya/Motegi,