pchall
10-06-07, 07:04 AM
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63049
Newman/Haas end IRL rumour
By David Malsher Friday, October 5th 2007, 16:29 GMT
Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing have moved to refute rumours that the team could switch to the IndyCar Series next year.
According to gossip within the Formula One paddock in China, the multiple Champ Car title-winners had purchased four Dallara IndyCars. However, Newman/Haas/Lanigan team manager Brian Lisles denied this.
He said: "Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing have not had any contact with Dallara regarding purchases of cars. We can only conclude that these rumors are being started by someone with malicious intent."
Earlier this week, the team also felt compelled to put out a one-line press release stating "Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing is committed to the Champ Car World Series."
A senior source within Champ Car added that the team's move would never happen while [co-founder] Paul Newman remained on the team. Newman has long been regarded as Champ Car's most loyal supporter.
An alternative rumour was that the team might make an attempt at the IRL-sanctioned Indy 500, as it did back in 2005 with Sebastien Bourdais and Bruno Junqueira.
However, such a concept has been made highly unlikely, given that Champ Car's Laguna Seca race is likely to be on the second weekend of May. That would compel any team wishing to compete at both events to qualify on the first weekend of the month, and should that get rained out, the cars would therefore be unable to qualify."
Newman/Haas end IRL rumour
By David Malsher Friday, October 5th 2007, 16:29 GMT
Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing have moved to refute rumours that the team could switch to the IndyCar Series next year.
According to gossip within the Formula One paddock in China, the multiple Champ Car title-winners had purchased four Dallara IndyCars. However, Newman/Haas/Lanigan team manager Brian Lisles denied this.
He said: "Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing have not had any contact with Dallara regarding purchases of cars. We can only conclude that these rumors are being started by someone with malicious intent."
Earlier this week, the team also felt compelled to put out a one-line press release stating "Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing is committed to the Champ Car World Series."
A senior source within Champ Car added that the team's move would never happen while [co-founder] Paul Newman remained on the team. Newman has long been regarded as Champ Car's most loyal supporter.
An alternative rumour was that the team might make an attempt at the IRL-sanctioned Indy 500, as it did back in 2005 with Sebastien Bourdais and Bruno Junqueira.
However, such a concept has been made highly unlikely, given that Champ Car's Laguna Seca race is likely to be on the second weekend of May. That would compel any team wishing to compete at both events to qualify on the first weekend of the month, and should that get rained out, the cars would therefore be unable to qualify."