Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Champ Car Notes

Stoddart Signs Up

Keith Wiggins confirmed in Mexico City that Paul Stoddart will be joining the CTE/HVM organization as a co-owner next season. Stoddart hopes to run a four car effort with a three car entry definite. Wiggins would like to retain his current driver line-up, while Stoddart hopes to introduce one of his ex-Minardi drivers into the fray…

Wilson Wanted

Justin Wilson’s stellar performance of pole position and second place at Mexico City mirrored the 2006 Champ Car driver standings as Wilson finished runner-up behind Sebastian Bourdais…

Wilson’s showing of true grit in Mexico City has also made him Champ Cars “Most Wanted.” Wilson is a free agent for ’07 and is definitely a hot commodity. Speculation is that Gerald Forsythe is his top suitor with ex-Minardi boss Paul Stoddart as a dark horse…

Down Under Duo?

While SPEED’S Cameron Steele interviewed Will Power about capturing his first career podium and Rookie of the Year honors, Steele put Team Australia co-owner Derrick Walker on the spot about Team Australia’s 2007 driver line-up. Walker said: “Yeah I guess we’ll have to ask Will back.” Yet Walker remained mum about the team’s second driver…
Rumours abound that Team Australia will become an all Aussie affair next season with Ryan Briscoe possibly joining the team. This leaves Alex Tagliani as the odd man out. TAG’s options are currently unknown with possible drives available at Dale Coyne or Rocketsports…
A return to Rocketsports seems remote as I assume TAG still has harsh feelings over being dumped by Paul Gentilozzi after making a “handshake” deal to remain a Rocketsports driver for 2005. Gentilozzi took Timo Glock’s DHL millions instead. Glock who won Rookie of the Year honors in 2005 left Champ Cars this year and now hopes to become BMW-Sauber’s test driver…

Wither RuSPORT?

There are many rumours swirling about over the future of the Report team with reports that team owner Carl Russo wishes to leave motorsports in favor of business interests abroad…
This has led to speculation regarding the team’s future, although team president Jeremy Dale assures us that RuSPORT will be in Champ Car next season. Dale is in discussions with anybody with a large enough checkbook willing to donate a small fortune…

While the ownership of RuSPORT fluxates… So does the team’s current drivers line-up. Although it was assumed that Wilson had packed his bags for Forsythe Racing, Gerald Forsythe has recently stated that it appears unlikely that Wilson will partner “Sand Dune” Tracy next year…

Ryan Briscoe who’s also in demand after his two race stint as Cristiano da Matta’s substitute at RuSPORT is also uncertain of whom his employer will be for the upcoming season. With interest from several teams for both drivers services, both drivers are suddenly in demand... While Dale says that RuSPORT’s future is looking good is also adamant about hanging onto his current driver line-up for 2007…

Thumbscrews

Not to be confused with “Thumbscrews at Dawn.” Or twenty paces with sidearm’s… Champ Cars lone female driver Katherine Legge had surgery to her thumb after the Mexico City race. Legge had two screws inserted into her right thumb to hasten her recovery from injuries sustained in Mexico…