MG ROVER has confirmed that it has signed an agreement with America's CART single-seater racing series to supply engines to teams in the 2003 championship.

The XV power unit is being developed by Engine Developments and MG Rover and uses basic architecture from the existing Judd V8 and V10 engine family.

The V10 version powered the winning car in this year's Daytona 24 Hours race.

The extensive redesign currently being undertaken on the V8 will effectively produce a new engine which is unique in being designed specifically to suit the CART series' 12,000rpm rev limit regulations for 2004.

Engine Developments, based in Rugby, has more than 20 years experience of race engine design.

"As a British engine manufacturer, we're delighted and very proud to be associated with MG Rover," said John Judd, managing director, Engine Developments.

"We look forward to a long and successful partnership with MG in the CART series. I'm sure that both our companies will benefit from our participation in the series, and that we can maintain and extend the traditions of the famous MG name."

MG Rover employs thousands of people in the two counties, either at its Longbridge, Birmingham, plant, or indirectly through its extensive supplier network.

Worcestershire-born Nigel Mansell raced a Judd-powered Williams in the 1992 Formula One world championship, and then took the CART championship honours - at that time branded Indycar racing - in 1995.