Tasman Motorsports
Encyclopedia
Tasman Motorsports Group is a former racing team owned by Steve Horne that competed in the Indy Lights series and, most notably, the CART
series from 1995 to 1998. Tasman was one of the first teams to successfully field a Honda
powered entry. Honda had entered CART the prior year with Rahal-Hogan Racing
and had very little success.
In the team's first and only Indianapolis 500
in 1995
, Tasman driver Scott Goodyear
led the race with 10 laps to go, but was subsequently black-flagged for passing the pace car while it was still on the track at the end of a caution period and relegated to 14th place. André Ribeiro
captured the team's first win and Honda's first in CART later that season at the New Hampshire International Speedway
.
The following season, Ribeiro won a pair of races and teammate Adrian Fernández
won once. They finished 11th and 12th in points respectively. However, in 1997, the team's Lola chassis were clearly off the pace and Ribeiro switched to Reynards
mid-way through the season.
The team pared back to a single car in 1998 and hired rookie Tony Kanaan
to drive, who captured the Indy Lights championship for Tasman the previous season
, beating teammate Hélio Castro-Neves
. Kanaan finished 9th in points with a best finish of 3rd, winning the Jim Trueman Rookie of the Year award, beating Castro-Neves for that as well. However, the team lost its LCI sponsorship and 1998 would be its last season.
(1996-1997) Scott Goodyear
(1995) Tony Kanaan
(1998) André Ribeiro
(1995-1997)
Champ Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
series from 1995 to 1998. Tasman was one of the first teams to successfully field a Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
powered entry. Honda had entered CART the prior year with Rahal-Hogan Racing
Rahal Letterman Racing
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing is an auto racing team that currently races in the American Le Mans Series and part–time in the IndyCar Series. Based in Hilliard, Ohio, it is co–owned by 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, television talk show host David Letterman, and businessman Mike...
and had very little success.
In the team's first and only Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
in 1995
1995 Indianapolis 500
The 79th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 28, 1995. Sanctioned by USAC, it was part of the 1995 CART Indycar season. Jacques Villenueve won in his second start. After dominating the 1994 race and the 1994 IndyCar season, Marlboro Team Penske failed to...
, Tasman driver Scott Goodyear
Scott Goodyear
Scott Goodyear is a former race car driver from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Goodyear ran the IRL and Champ Car series during his career from 1987, winning the Michigan 500 in 1992 and 1994...
led the race with 10 laps to go, but was subsequently black-flagged for passing the pace car while it was still on the track at the end of a caution period and relegated to 14th place. André Ribeiro
André Ribeiro
André Ribeiro , is a former IndyCar World Series and CART racing driver.-Biography:Ribeiro drove in Champ Car for 4 seasons, scoring 3 wins and 2 poles . He drove primarily for Tasman Motorsports and Penske Racing...
captured the team's first win and Honda's first in CART later that season at the New Hampshire International Speedway
New Hampshire International Speedway
New Hampshire Motor Speedway is a oval speedway located in Loudon, New Hampshire which has hosted NASCAR racing annually since the early 1990s, as well as an IndyCar weekend and the oldest motorcycle race in North America, the Loudon Classic...
.
The following season, Ribeiro won a pair of races and teammate Adrian Fernández
Adrian Fernández
José Adrián Fernández Mier is a Mexican racing driver and co-owner of the Fernandez Racing team.-Early career:...
won once. They finished 11th and 12th in points respectively. However, in 1997, the team's Lola chassis were clearly off the pace and Ribeiro switched to Reynards
Reynard Motorsport
Reynard Motorsport was at one time the world's largest racing car manufacturer. Initially based at Bicester and latterly at Reynard Park, Brackley, England the company built successful cars in Formula Ford 1600, Formula Ford 2000, Formula Vauxhall Lotus, Formula Three, Formula 3000 and Indy...
mid-way through the season.
The team pared back to a single car in 1998 and hired rookie Tony Kanaan
Tony Kanaan
Antoine Rizkallah Kanaan Filho, commonly known as Tony Kanaan is a Brazilian race car driver of Lebanese heritage. Kanaan won the 2004 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series championship driving Andretti Green Racing's 7-Eleven sponsored car, winning three times in his Honda-powered Dallara...
to drive, who captured the Indy Lights championship for Tasman the previous season
1997 in Indy Lights
The 1997 PPG/Firestone Indy Lights Championship Powered By Buick consisted of 13 races. Tony Kanaan edged out good friend and teammate Hélio Castro-Neves to the title by only four points.-Calendar:-Homestead race:Held March 2 at Homestead-Miami Speedway...
, beating teammate Hélio Castro-Neves
Hélio Castroneves
Hélio Castroneves is a Brazilian auto racing driver currently competing in the North American IndyCar Series. In IndyCar competition, Castroneves has 14 wins and 28 poles, and has never placed lower than sixth in the standings in a complete season of racing...
. Kanaan finished 9th in points with a best finish of 3rd, winning the Jim Trueman Rookie of the Year award, beating Castro-Neves for that as well. However, the team lost its LCI sponsorship and 1998 would be its last season.
Former CART drivers
Adrian FernándezAdrian Fernández
José Adrián Fernández Mier is a Mexican racing driver and co-owner of the Fernandez Racing team.-Early career:...
(1996-1997) Scott Goodyear
Scott Goodyear
Scott Goodyear is a former race car driver from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Goodyear ran the IRL and Champ Car series during his career from 1987, winning the Michigan 500 in 1992 and 1994...
(1995) Tony Kanaan
Tony Kanaan
Antoine Rizkallah Kanaan Filho, commonly known as Tony Kanaan is a Brazilian race car driver of Lebanese heritage. Kanaan won the 2004 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series championship driving Andretti Green Racing's 7-Eleven sponsored car, winning three times in his Honda-powered Dallara...
(1998) André Ribeiro
André Ribeiro
André Ribeiro , is a former IndyCar World Series and CART racing driver.-Biography:Ribeiro drove in Champ Car for 4 seasons, scoring 3 wins and 2 poles . He drove primarily for Tasman Motorsports and Penske Racing...
(1995-1997)