PacWest frustrated by snowstorm.

PacWest drivers Mark Blundell and Mauricio Gugelmin were among the frustrated at Nazareth, despite having as much experience of the unexpected conditions as anyone.

The Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix had to be postponed until 27 May after two inches of snow fell at the Pennsylvania circuit overnight, leaving drivers to kick their heels and the team members with an extra day to prepare for the cross-country trek to Long Beach for this weekend's event.

CART chief steward Kirk Russell claimed that he had no choice but to cancel the event, with forecasts of further snow preventing the option of rescheduling the race for the Monday, as usually happens. Even for the PacWest drivers, however, the conditions were a little more than they experienced earlier in their careers.

''When I woke up this morning and looked out the window of my motorhome, I couldn't believe it,'' said Blundell, ''I grew up in England, so I raced on some pretty cold days, but this is a little over the top.''

''In all my years of racing around the world, I have never arrived at the track to see it covered in snow,'' agreed team-mate Gugelmin, who also spent much of his formative career in Britain, ''The last couple of days have been perfect, except for a bit of wind, and then this happens on race day. I guess it is something pretty different for everyone in the paddock. It is just one of those things and it will certainly give people plenty to talk about.''

Both drivers said that their sympathies lay with the fans, who had been expected to pack the tri-oval on Sunday, and admitted that they were glad that the race was being rescheduled

''I am sure it is disappointing for the fans, especially the ones who have travelled long distances,'' Blundell said, ''but hopefully they will come back and watch us put on a show in May.''

The PacWest Racing trucks carrying both cars managed to leave the circuit by noon and were due to arrive back at the Indianapolis workshop at around midnight last night [Sunday/Monday]. Work to change the cars from oval to road course configuration will start immediately to ensure that the cars are ready for the two-day trip to California for next weekend's third round.

The turnaround coincides with the launch of the team's new 'shopcam', which will allow race fans to watch the crews working on the cars by logging on to PacWest's internet site at www.pacwestracing.com