Friday, May 13, 2011

The Other Chaves: Pedro – NOT Gabby...

Having recently scribbled ‘bout the virtually unknown Gabriel “Gabby” Chaves (who’s ironically taking to the Speedway for Indy Lights practice right now...) in my GP3 ‘Quickie; GP3: Sophomore season Kicks off... Shuzzam, Pow, Boink! As Eureka – whudda Yuhs knows, le Memorybankz has remembered another long lost Gran Primo Piloto’s soul... As in I knew I knew Pedro Chaves name from somewhere, as he had a very brief stay in F1.

Unfortunately the 1990 British F3000 Champion chose to attempt making his name with the ‘Uber uncompetitive and majorly underfunded Minnowesqe Coloni F1 Team in 1991. As Pedro was unable to drag the Coloni C4 by the scruff of its neck thru the dreaded Pre-qualifying regime that was de rigor that year – failing to qualify the Coloni 13-times before taking his Piggybank elsewhere’s...

Ironically, it would be none other then Pedro who stole Greg Moore’s thunder Up North Eh! During his final year in Indy Lights; his high-water mark during his three seasons under the tutelage of ‘KuhNuck Bryan Stewart, (1993-95) which is another story for another day...

As Chaves won his one and only Indy Lights  race on the streets of Vancouver, BC – around BC Place and False Creek; where I was just informed upon my Auckland-Los Angeles return flight leg by my adjoining row Mate, nonetheless a ‘Kuhnadiun Carpenter; NOT to be Cornfuzed with (Patrick) “Pat-the-Carpentier,” eh? Who told me that those DAMN F%%KING Condos built as the 2010 Winter Olympics Competitors Villas... Hence, wiping out the most enjoyable Vancouver BC IndyCar race – were basically unsold! And after numerous cost overruns and cutting corners were reputedly being marketed at up to 40% off... Way to go ‘KanaDuh! As first CART LOST this Molson Indy race and then Portland got the COLD shoulder from INDYCAR; Oh Never Mind!

But back to Pedro’s Indy Lights season, as reportedly he along with some Cat named Robbie Buhl were the only two drivers besides Moore to win a race during the 1995 season, as Greg thoroughly dominated the championship enroute to the title with 10-wins in twelve races before jumping up to Jerry Forsythe’s CART ‘BigBoyz team the following season.

Meanwhile Pedro has since retired from racing and is now currently managing his son David’s – NOT ‘Gabby’s career...