Monday, January 7, 2008

Champ Car notes

Justin wins Moore award
Justin Wilson has won the Greg Moore Legacy Award for the second time, being awarded the honour at this years Champ Car season ending banquet.

Justin becomesthe the first two-time winner of the award, (2006-07) named after the late Canadian driver who died in 1999. The award is awarded to the driver that most displays the determination, passion and skill that typified Moore's days as a racer.

Justin Wilson:
“It's a real honour to receive this award for the second time. Greg had an outstanding reputation as a driver and as a person and to be associated with him in this way means a lot."

Previous winners of the Greg Moore Legacy Award are Oriol Servia (2005), Ryan Hunter-Reay (2004), Sebastien Bourdais (2003), Patrick Carpentier (2002), Dario Franchitti (2001), and Helio Castroneves (2000)


Conquest new partner
In a refreshing bit of good news, Conquest Racing has just landed a new partnership arrangement with Opes Prime Group Ltd, an Australian based financial services provider. The new alliance will see Conquest campaign two cars for the 2008 Champ Car World Series season,

“Additionally, the new agreement sees Opes Prime principle shareholder Anthony Blumberg acquiring an equity stake in the organization, providing the necessary capital investment to fuel the team's growth over the next two seasons.”


Power wins award
Team Australia’s Will Power has won the coveted Sir Jack Brabham award at this year’s CAMS Australia Awards banquet…


Forsythe’s smooth move
Talk about your pathetic promotional ploys of “Stiring the Pot.” As Gerald Forsythe has attempted to throw Champ Car World Series “Super-star” Paul Tracy under the bus… By reportedly telling ‘Ol Sand Dune Tracy to re-negotiate his current contract or face loosing his ride.

This is not the best way to go about stabilizing a weak product, as rumours suggest that the Toronto race promoter is extremely (PEEVED-OFF) Freaked-out about not having Tracy in this year’s Champ Car line-up, which could potentially cost him the race. Way to go Gerry!


PKV signs Servia
While Forsythe has its caboose up its tailpipe, PKV has just announced the signing of Oriel “Suitcase” Servia as one of its two drivers for 2008.

I for one am very happy to hear the news that Servia will be able to ditch the suitcase moniker for the upcoming season, after PKV sensibly signed the extremely quick and popular Spaniard.

Its currently unknown whom will partner Servia, as Neal Jani who was sponsored by Red Bull is possibly out of the picture since its rumoured that the Red Bull sponsorship deal was only for a single season. If Jani doesn’t return, which would be a shame, then look for him to replace Dan “Speedy-Dry” Clarke at Team Minardi USA…