This thread is for the Champ Car fans. I know CC has fallen from the glory days of the 1990s but I hope that it will eventually recapture its glory. Too bad HPD's Robert Clarke retired. He'd been trying hard to unify American open wheel.

 

I have been watching and attending CART, IndyCar, CART (again), and ChampCar since the mid 80s. I consider myself to be a loyal fan. However, I am growing tired of the way the series is managed and feel that it is becoming bush-league. I am tring to only focus on the on-track aspect of it, and ignore the politics, and constant focus changes as to how the series is run.

That being said I am a huge PT fan, and I hope they get his contract/ride situation sorted soon. I would be very disappointed if he was no longer in the series.

On the up side, it is nice to see Servia get the PKV seat, and have it announced in January, instead of the night before the first race!!

 

Whos going to Long Beach? I'll be there again 15 years and running!
Best street road course venue on the circuit.
San Jose was 86'd after they couldnt provide a decent course and sell tickets.
What a disaster, and definately not worth the fans money.

 

I'll be at Long Beach for Friday and Saturday. Sundays are too hectic for me. Too many people and not enough room to take good photos. I was there at the old turn 1 in 1997 (when turn 1 went right instead of left) and Zanardi went in too hot during a practice session. Instead of waiting for the marshals to turn him around, he redlines his Honda HR turbo V8 and did a snap 180. The crowd's roar was louder than the screaming Honda and Zanardi knew it. I bet right then and there that was the birthplace of Zanardi's crowd-pleasing donuts.

 

glad to see the series go back to laguna. Can't wait to see that. I'm planning to go watch that race.

 

does champ car have better tv coverage this year?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FifthGearOnline &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">does champ car have better tv coverage this year?</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's a good question. As a fan, even I don't know. Goes to show what kind of hole the series is in. I do hope things get better for Champ Car. I would hate to have 'king George as the head of American open wheel.

 

I went to the Road America race in 06 (w/ the Kathryn Legge crash) and had a damn good time. I would love to go again and see the ALMS guys also

 

I used to go to LBGP when I lived down there, and I'm fairly sure I'll make it out to the Portland Race this year. I'd really love to make it to the Laguna Race too though

 

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com...-hand/

Is Open-Wheel Peace Finally at Hand?


Written by: Robin Miller 02/07/2008 - 10:45 PM
Indianapolis, Ind.Page 1 2 3
All together now? The Indy 500 could benefit from an influx of teams and drivers, but the benefits of a unified series would extend far beyond the 500. (LAT photo)n » More Photos
The long, costly war between Champ Car and the Indy Racing League is close to being over and, for the first time since 1995, there could be one open wheel series for 2008. But there’s still one major hurdle to overcome to make this long-awaited union a reality.

SPEED has learned that Kevin Kalkhoven and Gerald Forsythe, the co-owners of Champ Car, have reached an agreement with IRL founder Tony George to race together this season.

As reported by SPEEDtv.com recently, George offered the Champ Car ownership free Dallara chassis and Honda engines to any CC team that signs up for the full season in addition to receiving $1.2 million per car as part of the IRL’s new TEAM program. Additionally, the Champ Car races at Long Beach, Edmonton and Surfer’s Paradise, Australia would be added to the ’08 IndyCar Series schedule.

However, it’s not quite that easy.

The IRL race at Motegi, Japan is scheduled to run April 18-20 which is the same weekend as the Long Beach Grand Prix. Jim Michaelian, the longtime LBGP president and general manager, says the most successful street race in North America is locked into its date and cannot be moved due to prior contract commitment with the Long Beach Convention Center (which anchors the track).

Motegi, owned by Honda of Japan, also faces some challenges in re-scheduling so Honda’s Robert Clarke, Champ Car’s Dick Eidswick, Kalkhoven and George are desperately trying to find a solution.

“It’s as close as it’s ever been to being together, but we don’t know if we can get across the goal line,” said George on Thursday evening. “But no one is giving up yet.”

Added Kalkhoven: “Both sides want this to happen very much and we’re working on it.”

Supposedly, the Motegi people were agreeable to moving back one week, which is currently the date for the IRL race at Kansas City. The ISC-owned facility reportedly declined the request because it’s already a sellout for the NASCAR/IRL package.

Clarke, the former leader of Honda Performance Development who tried to put the two sides together in 2006 along with Mario Andretti, might have to travel with George to Japan this weekend to try and find a solution while Eidswick works on Champ Car’s options.

Drivers, mechanics and owners in Champ Car learned of this amalgamation after returning from a test last week at Sebring, Fla. As expected, most were happy to hear about unification even though it means their current Panoz chassis would be rendered show cars.

“It’s not a bad deal but you’ll still need some money,” said Derrick Walker, whose Indy-based team started in 1990. “You have to have two car configurations (oval and road course), the crash damage is higher with ovals and it’s a big fat schedule. It’s going to be a rough old ride for our Champ Car teams because we don’t have the familiarity with the Dallaras but the bottom line is that it’s a great gesture to put this thing together.”

Jimmy Vasser, who is part owner of PKV Racing, echoed Walker’s sentiments.

“There’s been a lot of silence lately so, if this is true, this is what needs to happen,” said the 1996 CART champion. “It’s a very good day for motor racing.”

Paul Newman was ecstatic upon hearing of the proposal. “I feel like I died and wrent to heaven,” said the co-owner of Champ Car’s winningest team along with Carl Haas and Mike Lanigan. “This is the best news I’ve heard in a long time.”

Some smaller Champ Car owners like Eric Bachelart were shocked to hear of such a plan at this late date.

“Are you kidding me?” said Bachelart, whose Indy-based Conquest Racing just signed rookie Franck Perera. “I just spent a million dollars on a new car and spare parts and this news hurts because I know the value of money. I’m all for one series but I wish it would be 2009.”

It’s believed there are over 50 Dallara chassis, new and used, available to be dispersed among the CCWS teams.

Since winning CART’s assets in bankruptcy court in 2004, Kalkhoven and Forsythe have spent millions on television, promoting races, propping up teams and payroll. They also own Cosworth and Pi, plus the rejuvenated Atlantic series. It’s not certain what would happen with the Atlantic series as the IRL has its own feeder system with the Indy Pro Series. But there were 24 cars at Wednesday’s Atlantic test in Sebring and it would make a strong support race for any series.

George has also spent millions on his league and this union would assure Indy-car racing of stronger fields, deeper competition and hopefully a much larger entry list at the Indianapolis 500.

It also means young stars Graham Rahal and Marco Andretti can now race on the same track along with Justin Wilson and Dan Wheldon while veterans Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan and Paul Tracy would be reunited.

“I think we’d all be happy if we’re back together and the fans would be happy to see all the best drivers in one race,” said Tracy, the 2003 CART champion who hasn’t competed at Indy since his controversial second place finish in 2002.

“We’ll be at a disadvantage to the IRL teams the first year but such is life. Getting everybody back under one roof is what needs to happen.”


I'm all for one series, but I'd rather not have 'King Tony George running the show. The IRL is just like CART 10 years ago, except the IRL has the Indy 500. But that was the trump card from the beginning. While I do place the majority of the blame on 'King George, some of the CART owners/management are to blame for keeping IMS/USAC out of the loop (Tony George had a non-voting seat in CART, which basically meant nothing) and pissing off Honda and Ford by bowing down to Toyota's whining ("Pop off-Gate" scandal) because they weren't innovative enough to be competitive. Toyota was already going to the IRL (stomping their feet on the way) so why acquiesce?

Now it's possible I might see some Crapwagons in Long Beach. Realistically, this doesn't make sense. The CC season is almost here and the teams already have most of their plans set. What about fans down the line who were interested in watching races that supposedly will no longer be included? What about promoters of the races?

I'll be suprised if something does happen for 2008, though I feel nothing will happen, just like how nothing has ever come out of the various "unification" rumours/stories that have circulated since The Split.

 

I'll be at Long Beach regardless. Not going for CART, but hoping the Panoz chassis' would be there. They are so much faster around a road course than those POS IRL crapwagons.

Tony George does have a pretty sweet RV though.

 

champ car &gt; irl

 

Wow it seems a bit late in the game to do this now. It sucks for Panoz, although they probably already got paid for all those, now useless, chassis. Why not let both chassis run together? The whole "spec open wheel" is pretty lame anyway.

Oh and I'm not happy about Tony G running things, but it seems like he's pretty desperate by paying for everyone's new cars.

 

With the decrease in power (for reliability's sake) of the Champ Car Cosworth motors, the IRL cars are actually within a second of a Champ Car at Mid-Ohio. But yes, those IRL cars are ugly, though the Panoz G-Force wasn't too bad.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Outrun &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">With the decrease in power (for reliability's sake) of the Champ Car Cosworth motors, the IRL cars are actually within a second of a Champ Car at Mid-Ohio. But yes, those IRL cars are ugly, though the Panoz G-Force wasn't too bad.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Doubt that would be the case at Laguna

 

I have a real hard time believing that this "merger" is actually going to take place. We have been down this road way too many times. I have zero faith that Tony George has any interest in the sport aside from making himself the Bernie Ecclestone of American open wheel racing.

That being said they can count me out. This whole rumored scenario seems to me that Champ Car is rolling over and being "absorbed" into the IRL. I have not stuck with Champ Car for all these years to watch it turn into the IRL.

There are too many ovals, and the IRL on track product and the cars do not appeal to me in the least. If this goes through, I will just have more budget to attend F1 races overseas.

 

Once they get the scheduling down, everything will fall into place. Next year seems more realistic. With Honda not wanting to change the Motegi race date, this year wont happen.
Long Beach is only 65 days away.. This is a venue both leagues can not afford to lose.
I dont like those cheesy Dallaras either. Panoz definately has a better package.
What ever it takes to get the two series together though.
Not to hate on Danica... but if there is a union, she wont be running up front anymore. Its more easier to run up front when there isnt a full field of 36 cars, and some watered down talent.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dirty19 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Not to hate on Danica... but if there is a union, she wont be running up front anymore. Its more easier to run up front when there isnt a full field of 36 cars, and some watered down talent. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Is Katherine Legge running with ChampCar in 2008? We may finally get to see who's the better female driver. I'm betting on Legge

 

She hasn't been confirmed yet. It was rumoured she was going to DTM or some other tin-top series.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Outrun &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">She hasn't been confirmed yet. It was rumoured she was going to DTM or some other tin-top series.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Just rumors. http://www.gokatherine.com/rea...58562

If they merge I hope she gets a ride so she can bitchslap Man-ica Patrick.

 

News flash: Champ car to file for bankruptcy!

http://www.tsn.ca/auto_racing/...bname

 

things are certainly getting interesting

 

According to the LB Grand Prix Commission there is still going to be a race in April.

 

Katherine Legge is going to DTM with Audi. Would have loved to see how she did against Danica.

There's a press conference tomorrow. Watch this space.

 

Honda has agreed to move the Motegi race date and there could be a partial merger by the end of the week.
We could see more cars at Long Beach!