Official car count =

[Wabbit]

2

WooHoo!! We're up to two cars..... :)

RuSport - AJ Allmendinger
Herdez - Mario Dominguez

[Rob]

Make that 5. Forsythe is running PT and Carpentier in Indeck colors, and Lavin in Corona livery.

[pfc_m_drake]

Did Herdez Competition say anything about the possibility of adding a second car? I'd hate to think that they're down to only one entry. I know RHR was rumored to be heading there, so hopefully they're still looking to finalize that deal.

[eric1]

Newman-Haas will be in with 2 cars.

[Rob]

Update: Forsythe will only be running two cars for now even though all three drivers are under contract. Champweb is speculating that Carpentier will be farmed out to another team.

They also say that RHR is "within days" of signing with Herdez.

[Wabbit]

4 and climbing

RuSport - AJ Allmendinger
Herdez - Mario Dominguez
Forsythe - Paul Tracy
Forsythe - Rodolfo Lavin

[rabbit]

4 and climbing

RuSport - AJ Allmendinger
Herdez - Mario Dominguez
Forsythe - Paul Tracy
Forsythe - Rodolfo LavinThat's three confirmed drivers and one confirmed grid filler. :thumdown:

[KLang]

Add Alex Tagliani and Nelson Phillipe for Rocketsports.

Isn't Phillipe that dude with the hair?

[rabbit]

Add Alex Tagliani and Nelson Phillipe for Rocketsports.

Isn't Phillipe that dude with the hair?Yup, Fabio Phillipe.

[theunions]

Did Herdez Competition say anything about the possibility of adding a second car? I'd hate to think that they're down to only one entry. I know RHR was rumored to be heading there, so hopefully they're still looking to finalize that deal.

From SpeedTV:


Herdez Competition announced at the Champ Car World Series Season Preview in Long Beach that it will again field two cars in all rounds of the series this year, although its is not yet ready to confirm its second driver alongside the returning Mario Dominguez. Ryan Hunter-Reay tested well for the team last month at Sebring, and is expected to be announced shortly as the driver of the second Herdez Lola, barring a last-minute contractal hitch.

[Wabbit]

6, 1/3 of the way there

RuSport - AJ Allmendinger (R)
Herdez - Mario Dominguez
Forsythe - Paul Tracy
Forsythe - Rodolfo Lavin
Rocketsports - Alex Tagliani
Rocketsports - Nelson Phillipe (R)

[Racing Truth]

Add Alex Tagliani and Nelson Phillipe for Rocketsports.

Isn't Phillipe that dude with the hair?

Well, I guess Carp better hope Walker works out or that PG will run 3. Although I HIGHLY doubt it given the nature of the contract, maybe he will end up in a "carpwagon." :thumdown:

[Wabbit]

Yup, Fabio Phillipe.

That must be Alex's "Evil Look"

[rabbit]

Eight.

PKVR - Jimmy Vasser and Roberto Gonzalez

[Wabbit]

8, and that's it for the day

RuSport - AJ Allmendinger (R)
Herdez - Mario Dominguez
Forsythe - Paul Tracy
Forsythe - Rodolfo Lavin
Rocketsports - Alex Tagliani
Rocketsports - Nelson Phillipe (R)
PKVR - Jimmy Vasser
PKVR - Roberto Gonzalez

[rabbit]

.

[Insomniac]

Are there any pictures of these cars?

[KLang]

Are there any pictures of these cars?

Champweb (http://www.champweb.net/v2_gallery/index.php?c=gal2004_00)

Warning for the bandwidth impaired: Pictures are big.

[Insomniac]

Champweb (http://www.champweb.net/v2_gallery/index.php?c=gal2004_00)

Warning for the bandwidth impaired: Pictures are big.

Thanks. :) Always nice to see Danica. :thumbup:

[Wabbit]

12, we're in the double digits

RuSport - AJ Allmendinger (R)
Herdez - Mario Dominguez
Forsythe - Paul Tracy
Forsythe - Rodolfo Lavin
Rocketsports - Alex Tagliani
Rocketsports - Nelson Phillipe (R)
PKVR - Jimmy Vasser
PKVR - Roberto Gonzalez
Newman-Hass - Bruno Junquira
Newman-Hass - Sebastian Bourdais
Fernandez - Adrian Fernandez
Rahal - Michael Jourdain

Looks like that is all that is scheduled to announce this week. Where the other 6 cars are coming is a good question.

Maybe's:
Fittipaldi - 1
Coyne - 1
MiJack -1

Still leaves 3 cars in question. Will the triad pay for these guys to be 2-car teams?

[Rob]

Where the other 6 cars are coming is a good question.

Maybe's:
Fittipaldi - 1
Coyne - 1
MiJack -1

Still leaves 3 cars in question. Will the triad pay for these guys to be 2-car teams?
Herdez is almost guaranteed to have a second car. Rumors have Carpentier either at Walker or a (presumably) second Conquest car. Coyne will supposedly have two also.

[TrueBrit]

Thanks. :) Always nice to see Danica. :thumbup:

No doubt....Yummy!!!!!

Ugly purse though.......

[nz_climber]

No doubt....Yummy!!!!!

Ugly purse though.......

didn't notice any purse :rolleyes:

[Wabbit]

11, we lost one

RuSport - AJ Allmendinger (R)
Herdez - Mario Dominguez
Forsythe - Paul Tracy
Forsythe - Rodolfo Lavin
Rocketsports - Alex Tagliani
Rocketsports - Nelson Phillipe (R)
PKVR - Jimmy Vasser
PKVR - Roberto Gonzalez
Newman-Hass - Bruno Junquira
Newman-Hass - Sebastian Bourdais
Rahal - Michael Jourdain

[Brickman]

11, we lost one

RuSport - AJ Allmendinger (R)
Herdez - Mario Dominguez
Forsythe - Paul Tracy
Forsythe - Rodolfo Lavin
Rocketsports - Alex Tagliani
Rocketsports - Nelson Phillipe (R)
PKVR - Jimmy Vasser
PKVR - Roberto Gonzalez
Newman-Hass - Bruno Junquira
Newman-Hass - Sebastian Bourdais
Rahal - Michael Jourdain

That's just the official list, ones that showed up and were counted at LB. There are more.

[skibum]

I was expecting they would announce all 18 teams in LB. Now they are backing off that number. Why get our hopes up and announce that there would be 18 if they did not have commitments?

[Wabbit]

That's just the official list, ones that showed up and were counted at LB. There are more.

There is a reason that the title of the thread is "Official Car Count" :D

More have been promised in the past, and never materialized. At this point I think most people will agree, we'll believe it when we see it.

[Steve99]

I was expecting they would announce all 18 teams in LB. Now they are backing off that number. Why get our hopes up and announce that there would be 18 if they did not have commitments?

Did OWRS ever say they would be announcing 18 cars/drives at LB, or did fans on forums set those expectations?

[skibum]

Not that I know of Steve but wouldn't that have been the logicial reason to have the event.

[C2D]

Did OWRS ever say they would be announcing 18 cars/drives at LB, or did fans on forums set those expectations?

Here's the original press release...

http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=7511

Granted, they never come out and say 18 cars will be introduced, but I implied it as meaning more than 12 drivers would be announced, one of whom decided two days later to leave the series making it 11. Most of the drivers introduced were pretty much a given anyway of being in the series.

[VTEC6]

NOW you have a sense for the reason for the meltdown of the last 24!

[Insomniac]

Did OWRS ever say they would be announcing 18 cars/drives at LB, or did fans on forums set those expectations?

I'd say we all expected 18 cars announced since they kept saying they will have 18 cars. They seemed so sure they would have 18. I figured they knew who those 18 were when making such definitive statements. So I thought it was reasonable to see them all announced at the LB preview. Oh well, it's the GP of LB that matters. :)

[Wabbit]

11, and holding

RuSport - AJ Allmendinger (R)
Herdez - Mario Dominguez
Herdez - Ryan Hunter-Raey
Forsythe - Paul Tracy
Forsythe - Rodolfo Lavin
Rocketsports - Alex Tagliani
Rocketsports - Nelson Phillipe (R)
PKVR - Jimmy Vasser
PKVR - Roberto Gonzalez
Newman-Hass - Bruno Junquira
Newman-Hass - Sebastian Bourdais

Teamless:

Patrick Carpantier
Michel Jourdain

[RTKar]

11, and holding

RuSport - AJ Allmendinger (R)
Herdez - Mario Dominguez
Herdez - Ryan Hunter-Raey
Forsythe - Paul Tracy
Forsythe - Rodolfo Lavin
Rocketsports - Alex Tagliani
Rocketsports - Nelson Phillipe (R)
PKVR - Jimmy Vasser
PKVR - Roberto Gonzalez
Newman-Hass - Bruno Junquira
Newman-Hass - Sebastian Bourdais

Teamless:

Patrick Carpantier
Michel Jourdain


Yikes...that's sad...really, an embarrasment. Let's hope for more.

[jonovision_man]

Yikes...that's sad...really, an embarrasment. Let's hope for more.

Conquest will probably field an entry, that's 12.
Coyne is fielding 2 entries, that's 14.

Still a few maybes too, I expect to see 16 at LB. Not so good, but still kickin'.

http://www.racebyrace.com/future/cartteams2004.phtml

jono

[Insomniac]

Updating Wabbit's list:

13 confirmed

RuSport - AJ Allmendinger (R)
Herdez - Mario Dominguez
Herdez - Ryan Hunter-Raey
Forsythe - Paul Tracy
Forsythe - Rodolfo Lavin
Rocketsports - Alex Tagliani
Rocketsports - Nelson Phillipe (R)
PKVR - Jimmy Vasser
PKVR - Roberto Gonzalez
Newman-Hass - Bruno Junquira
Newman-Hass - Sebastian Bourdais
Dale Coyne - TBA
Dale Coyne - TBA

1 sponsored but teamless

Michel Jourdain

1 paid but teamless

Patrick Carpantier

[Spicoli]

Updating Wabbit's list:

13 confirmed

RuSport - AJ Allmendinger (R)
Herdez - Mario Dominguez
Herdez - Ryan Hunter-Raey
Forsythe - Paul Tracy
Forsythe - Rodolfo Lavin
Rocketsports - Alex Tagliani
Rocketsports - Nelson Phillipe (R)
PKVR - Jimmy Vasser
PKVR - Roberto Gonzalez
Newman-Hass - Bruno Junquira
Newman-Hass - Sebastian Bourdais
Dale Coyne - TBA
Dale Coyne - TBA

1 sponsored but teamless

Michel Jourdain

1 paid but teamless

Patrick Carpantier

Jourdain to N/H
Patreek back to GF
Wilson to Conquest/ and maybe Habs and even TBell
Hemelgarn with some wanker to DFL. :)
Walker will be there with Valiente or Sperafico

18+ : :gomer:

[Ziggy]

Long Beach has given it's blessing for 16 cars. They are going to the IRL next season anyway....

:thumdown:

[Insomniac]

Long Beach has given it's blessing for 16 cars. They are going to the IRL next season anyway....

:thumdown:

That would be very sad.

[L1P1]

Updating Wabbit's list:

13 confirmed

RuSport - AJ Allmendinger (R)
Herdez - Mario Dominguez
Herdez - Ryan Hunter-Raey
Forsythe - Paul Tracy
Forsythe - Rodolfo Lavin
Rocketsports - Alex Tagliani
Rocketsports - Nelson Phillipe (R)
PKVR - Jimmy Vasser
PKVR - Roberto Gonzalez
Newman-Hass - Bruno Junquira
Newman-Hass - Sebastian Bourdais
Dale Coyne - TBA
Dale Coyne - TBA

1 sponsored but teamless

Michel Jourdain

1 paid but teamless

Patrick Carpantier

Yeah, I think we can be pretty sure that Jourdain will be in the mix. Carpentier is probably only a question mark if he gets an IRL offer. But the IRL is looking for owners, not drivers. Forsythe would probhably run Patrick in a third car if he has to. But he'd probably rather another team pick him up ala Tagliani.

So that puts us at 15. One more needed for LB. All the various rumours could put them closer to 20.

But there is one overriding factor that, despite Bobby and Adrian, will serve to make sure there's a solid '04 season. I was at the bankruptcy proceedings. I know the sort of liabilities OWRS has picked up. Believe me. They cannot afford not to have a season. Right now, I suspect, it's all about negotiating with potential teams and asking "If you want me to give you that much money, why don't I just run a third car on my own?"

[Spicoli]

Long Beach has given it's blessing for 16 cars. They are going to the IRL next season anyway....

:thumdown:


You're a real "UP" person ... ;)

[lone_groover]

I don't believe in reincarnation....!

:gomer:

[Spicoli]

I don't believe in reincarnation....!

:gomer:


What a great video! That's been in my permanent hard drive since about 89! ;)

[skaven]

Long Beach has given it's blessing for 16 cars. They are going to the IRL next season anyway....

:thumdown:

If this is remotely true, Champcar should do whatever they can to get the truth out and even consider ruining this event for the "event goers."

Scorched Earth Policy Style

[Insomniac]

Yeah, I think we can be pretty sure that Jourdain will be in the mix. Carpentier is probably only a question mark if he gets an IRL offer. But the IRL is looking for owners, not drivers. Forsythe would probhably run Patrick in a third car if he has to. But he'd probably rather another team pick him up ala Tagliani.

So that puts us at 15. One more needed for LB. All the various rumours could put them closer to 20.

But there is one overriding factor that, despite Bobby and Adrian, will serve to make sure there's a solid '04 season. I was at the bankruptcy proceedings. I know the sort of liabilities OWRS has picked up. Believe me. They cannot afford not to have a season. Right now, I suspect, it's all about negotiating with potential teams and asking "If you want me to give you that much money, why don't I just run a third car on my own?"

I think Forsythe would just as soon let PC sit out before giving him to an IRL team. Any team that wants PC has to go through him.

I would be very surprised to see 20. I don't see them forking over money to go over 18. If they go over 18 cars, then IMO, it would seem they didn't help anybody.

[Insomniac]

If this is remotely true, Champcar should do whatever they can to get the truth out and even consider ruining this event for the "event goers."

Scorched Earth Policy Style

That's real professional. They need to start working on a contract extension if this is the final year. If it isn't then they have nothing to worry about next year.

[Dougrun]

if OWRS lost long beach... you though AF defection raised a lot of e-mails.. sheesh.. that would raise serious negative media attention.

If it did happen, I'd look to get a bay area (SF) race somehow.

PC is in at forsythe. I predict 19 cars at long beach.

[Joe in LA]

Long Beach has given it's blessing for 16 cars. They are going to the IRL next season anyway....

:thumdown:

That would make my wife happy--one more free weekend at home in April. I think this would be a major mistake for LBGP. They took a hit when they went from F1 to CART and it took a while to bring the crowd back up. I think this change would be a much bigger problem.

[pkvracing12]

this speedyvasser from 7g chatroom i just wanted to drop by and say hi the car count is looking better and better everyday in my opinion lets hope we have a good competetive season and less of this politcal stuff .
sincerly pkvracing aka speedyvasser
ps my aol im screen name is turbocharged8
and my email adress is cosworthturbos8@yahoo.com

[Nosuchsoul]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..................... Why did you have to go and tell us that we MIGHT lose Long beach next year. Now I have to go keep the demons at bay with one less glimmer of hope.

[TravelGal]

GREAT to see you speedy. :) You picked a good name, as usual. Now we sit back and watch the car count mount with drivers and teams who actually want to me IN this series. TravelNut (who was the TravelGal on 7G)

[Wabbit]

12, and climbing again

RuSport - AJ Allmendinger (R)
Herdez - Mario Dominguez
Herdez - Ryan Hunter-Raey
Forsythe - Paul Tracy
Forsythe - Rodolfo Lavin
Forsythe - Patrick Carpantier
Rocketsports - Alex Tagliani
Rocketsports - Nelson Phillipe (R)
PKVR - Jimmy Vasser
PKVR - Roberto Gonzalez
Newman-Hass - Bruno Junquira
Newman-Hass - Sebastian Bourdais

Teamless:
Michel Jourdain

Driverless:
Coyne -
Coyne -

Coyne will be added when something more solid arrives.
Carpentier is confirmed according to forsythe-racing.com

[Rob]

Justin Wilson @ Conquest makes 13, and they said today that they are planning to run two cars this year. :cool:

[Wabbit]

13, and a few more coming

RuSport - AJ Allmendinger (R)
Herdez - Mario Dominguez
Herdez - Ryan Hunter-Raey
Forsythe - Paul Tracy
Forsythe - Rodolfo Lavin
Forsythe - Patrick Carpantier
Rocketsports - Alex Tagliani
Rocketsports - Nelson Phillipe (R)
PKVR - Jimmy Vasser
PKVR - Roberto Gonzalez
Newman-Hass - Bruno Junquira
Newman-Hass - Sebastian Bourdais
Mi-Jack/Conquest - Justin Wilson (R)

Teamless:
Michel Jourdain

Driverless:
Coyne -
Coyne -

Coyne will be added when something more solid arrives.

[devilmaster]

:laugh:

Steve

[Robstar]

I know it's not "official" but...

from Champweb


Eric Bachelart stated in today's media teleconference that Mi-Jack Conquest Racing is about to finalize a deal that would see them have 2-car for the 2004 season. This would not be a joint effort, instead it would be an entirely ran operation by the Mi-Jack Conquest Racing team. Bachelart also stated the importance of having a 2-car operation, and seemed pretty adamant that this deal will happen.

Sounds good :thumbup:

[Wabbit]

I know it's not "official" but...

from Champweb



Sounds good :thumbup:

I wait until a driver/sponsor is announced. Too much speculation other than that.

[ShickStift]

according to a thread on Atlas F1, some guys are pretty sure that Michel Jourdain going to be in a second RuSport car instead of a third Newman-Haas car. Wait, does that mean ANOTHER red and yellow car! :saywhat: ;) As well, one of the Brazilians on the board says a Brazilian motorsports website is reporting Alex Sperafico will be the driver of the second Conquest car -- except the second car won't be a Lola, it will be a Reynard. :shakehead

[pkvracing12]

my prediction is 18-20
it sounds like rusports will pick up michel jordain jr and have aj as his second driver
unless michel goes to nhr
helmelgarn who knows?
coyne has to confirmed cars but has signed no drivers
pkv has 2 confirmed driver
forsythe 3 confirmed
mi jack conquest will run two cars with mario haberfield as the second driver
herdez competition has confirmed driver
rocketsports two confirmed i think by the end of next week everyone should be about confirmed. the longest silly season ever
champ car will be stupid for giving up long beach without a fight its there premier race and they need all the suport and hopefully spike tv is a good broadcaster for them.

[pinniped]

and the silliest as well...

[Wabbit]

14, with a couple more weeks to go

RuSport - AJ Allmendinger (R)
Herdez - Mario Dominguez
Herdez - Ryan Hunter-Raey
Forsythe - Paul Tracy
Forsythe - Rodolfo Lavin
Forsythe - Patrick Carpantier
Rocketsports - Alex Tagliani
Rocketsports - Nelson Phillipe (R)
PKVR - Jimmy Vasser
PKVR - Roberto Gonzalez
Newman-Hass - Bruno Junquira
Newman-Hass - Sebastian Bourdais
Mi-Jack/Conquest - Justin Wilson (R)
Mi-Jack/Conquest - Alex Sperafico (R)

Teamless:
Michel Jourdain

Driverless:
Coyne -
Coyne -

Coyne will be added when something more solid arrives.

Hopefully, this means 17. One more to go.

[Insomniac]

Mi-Jack/Conquest - Alex Sperafico (R)

Is he considered a rookie? He did drive in 2 races last year.

[theunions]

Is he considered a rookie? He did drive in 2 races last year.

The rules certainly could've changed during the off-season as many others had, but traditionally it's no more than 2 races a year or 5 lifetime.

[pkvracing12]

ive heard something that hemelgarn will have 2 cars ,on WLW in cincinatti the drivers are possibly buddy lazier and luarent redon. so time will tell on this one and um lets face it its running out! silly season needs to be done and lets get a race i havent heard a turbo champcar in so long im about ready to go insane

[Wabbit]

ive heard something that hemelgarn will have 2 cars ,on WLW in cincinatti the drivers are possibly buddy lazier and luarent redon. so time will tell on this one and um lets face it its running out! silly season needs to be done and lets get a race i havent heard a turbo champcar in so long im about ready to go insane

Sounds like a pair of IRL drivers ready for the 500.

[Lizzerd]

Wow... Buddy Lazier? Does this mean we can boast about having two irl500 winners in the lineup now? PT being the other, of course. :saywhat:

[Railbird]

ive heard something that hemelgarn will have 2 cars ,on WLW in cincinatti the drivers are possibly buddy lazier and luarent redon.


oh really?

With my doubts about Hemelgarn fielding one decent effort I have a real hard time believing two.

Redon and Bud?

weren't they the duo that provided IMS with an opportunity to screw PT?

I ain't buyin' it

[racer2c]

ive heard something that hemelgarn will have 2 cars ,on WLW in cincinatti the drivers are possibly buddy lazier and luarent redon.


oh really?

With my doubts about Hemelgarn fielding one decent effort I have a real hard time believing two.

Redon and Bud?

weren't they the duo that provided IMS with an opportunity to screw PT?

I ain't buyin' it

Not in a million years. I'm with you 'bird.

[pchall]

ive heard something that hemelgarn will have 2 cars ,on WLW in cincinatti the drivers are possibly buddy lazier and luarent redon. so time will tell on this one and um lets face it its running out! silly season needs to be done and lets get a race i havent heard a turbo champcar in so long im about ready to go insane


Buddy Loosier and Larry Rodent? Two IRL superstars who are ready to graduate to the local kart track. :rolleyes:

If OWRS is putting up money for this, they should demand better.

[Wabbit]

15 now.

RuSport - AJ Allmendinger (R)
RuSport - Michel Jourdain
Herdez - Mario Dominguez
Herdez - Ryan Hunter-Raey
Forsythe - Paul Tracy
Forsythe - Rodolfo Lavin
Forsythe - Patrick Carpantier
Rocketsports - Alex Tagliani
Rocketsports - Nelson Phillipe (R)
PKVR - Jimmy Vasser
PKVR - Roberto Gonzalez
Newman-Hass - Bruno Junquira
Newman-Hass - Sebastian Bourdais
Mi-Jack/Conquest - Justin Wilson (R)
Mi-Jack/Conquest - Alex Sperafico (R)

Driverless:
Coyne -
Coyne -

Coyne will be added when something more solid arrives.

[theunions]

14 now.

Mi-Jack/Conquest - Justin Wilson (R)

You mean 15 - don't forget Sperafico in the sister Reynard.

[Tedminator]

:thumbup: Great thread!

All the recent cart news I want ...in one place :D

[Firestorm]

Kind of strange seeing the (R) next to Wilson. While the four listed with (R) all qualify as rookies I think using the type style features of this board we could have several sub-rookie catagories:

RuSport - AJ Allmendinger (R)
Rocketsports - Nelson Phillipe (R)
Mi-Jack/Conquest - Justin Wilson (R)
Mi-Jack/Conquest - Alex Sperafico (R)

(R) = True Rookie
(R) = Rookie Rookie :D
(R) = Former F1 Driver Rookie (i.e. Mika Salo won this last year I think - Johnny Herbert still hoping he can compete in this catagory someday :) )
(R) = Coyne Rookie (was in a few races before running out of money to pay for ride)

Right now my money would be on Wilson, with AJ probably right in there. But perhaps we'll see one or two more (R)'s join the field...

[Wabbit]

:thumbup: Great thread!

All the recent cart news I want ...in one place :D

You're welcome

[Nosuchsoul]

I found this qoute on autosport.com about what happened to Rahal's Lola's.

No cars for sale
What about the Champ Car equipment Team Rahal and Fernandez Racing own? Could a prospective team owner buy that? The teams say they are keeping their hardware for the time being.

Rahal general manager Scott Roembke said since Champ Car will keep the same cars for 2005, it makes sense to hang on to theirs. “We’ve got two young drivers in [Toyota] Atlantic and if they want to move up, it would be nice if they didn’t have to go out and buy new equipment. We’ll also test Danica [Patrick] in one of them later in the year.”

Fernandez’s Tom Anderson sounded more coy about his cars. In responding to several questions, including one about using the cars themselves, he said: “I don’t know yet.”

http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=motorsportsnews&loc_code=index&content_code=09871642

[KobySon]

I found this qoute on autosport.com about what happened to Rahal's Lola's.



Fernandez’s Tom Anderson sounded more coy about his cars. In responding to several questions, including one about using the cars themselves, he said: “I don’t know yet.”

http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=motorsportsnews&loc_code=index&content_code=09871642


I guess Honda may give them more money not to sell than they would make by selling! :flame:

[cart7]

I guess Honda may give them more money not to sell than they would make by selling! :flame:
That, or they're still trying to stradle the fence. I still don't believe AF or Rahal left 100% brainwashed into the earl way. The Honda money will eventually spend out.

[JLMannin]

That, or they're still trying to stradle the fence. I still don't believe AF or Rahal left 100% brainwashed into the earl way. The Honda money will eventually spend out.

That, or the Hondabucks evaporate at sundown on May 30th. No one gives a rats ass what the post Marion County Fair 500 car count is.

I would not be suprized to see Fernandez back for selected races after May.

I bet Rahal is holding on to his cars so that he can get Tony to pay him not to race them in in Champcar in 2005.

[Firestorm]

Is there any law that states a racing series HAS to let a team race if they want to? If I was running the champcar series and the backstabbers wanted to come back I certainly wouldn't let them. Last year it was pretty clear with the way Rahal and AF were acting what was in the cards. As far as I'm concerned only teams that WANT to be in a real racing series should be racing. The rest can go twirl in circles, we don't need them back. Not that I think they will, they have sold out to the highest bidder and tried to hurt the very series that made them, plain and simple. That is not the kind of people we need in champcar racing.

[pchall]

That, or the Hondabucks evaporate at sundown on May 30th. No one gives a rats ass what the post Marion County Fair 500 car count is.

I would not be suprized to see Fernandez back for selected races after May.

I bet Rahal is holding on to his cars so that he can get Tony to pay him not to race them in in Champcar in 2005.


It's nice to see that there is somebody as cynical about this a me.

[edit]

Not really. The whole state of formula car racing in the US just makes me want to barf.

[Andrew Longman]

Is there any law that states a racing series HAS to let a team race if they want to? If I was running the champcar series and the backstabbers wanted to come back I certainly wouldn't let them. Last year it was pretty clear with the way Rahal and AF were acting what was in the cards. As far as I'm concerned only teams that WANT to be in a real racing series should be racing. The rest can go twirl in circles, we don't need them back. Not that I think they will, they have sold out to the highest bidder and tried to hurt the very series that made them, plain and simple. That is not the kind of people we need in champcar racing.

If Champcar builds a series where success if defined by success at the track against a level and stable playing field, not by political manuvering and back room deals, I have no problem having them back... and likely boo them.

To keep them out smacks of the shenanigans that went on in CART and still goes on in the IRL.

Let 'em race, then beat them badly fair and square

[VtOpenWheel]

Roemke's comment on testing Danica leads to a couple of questions. If Rahal isn't participating in ChampCar, is he still subject to testing restrictions (does participating in Atlantics factor into that)? What do they plan to use for an engine? Same question on tires?

[Wabbit]

Roemke's comment on testing Danica leads to a couple of questions. If Rahal isn't participating in ChampCar, is he still subject to testing restrictions (does participating in Atlantics factor into that)? What do they plan to use for an engine? Same question on tires?

CART rules were changed late last year that you will not be charged a testing day as long as you are using an Atlantics driver.

Rahal may be keeping the chassis for Danica. I know she doesn't have a desire to race in the IRL (except for Indy).

[Winston Wolfe]

That, or the Hondabucks evaporate at sundown on May 30th. No one gives a rats ass what the post Marion County Fair 500 car count is.

I would not be suprized to see Fernandez back for selected races after May.

I bet Rahal is holding on to his cars so that he can get Tony to pay him not to race them in in Champcar in 2005.

Hey, JLM, no disrespect meant here, but exactly where is AF going to get the funding for "selected race dates" after May?
Are you suggesting that the Mexico races would be potential dates? I thought part of the gig was there was no sponsor money and no committment from the Owners \ Principals of the series that were pivotal reasons AF had to commit to the "dark side"....
And what do you think the Owners \ Principals are going to do if he asks to come and play in the Mexico dates?
Are we fer 'im, or are we again' 'im ? (In my best country, hick accent)

Rahal, or Ray-Hole, as I have seen, and prefer, on the other hand, I would not put anything past him, that would serve himself, and screw everyone else. Nothing he does will surpise me, and as long as his lips are moving, he is probably lying....

[JT265]

CART rules were changed late last year that you will not be charged a testing day as long as you are using an Atlantics driver.

Rahal may be keeping the chassis for Danica. I know she doesn't have a desire to race in the IRL (except for Indy).

Wouldn't matter anyway now that Rahal isn't a ChampCar team. Dunno about his engine supply, but someone would sell him tires I imagine. At this stage he's no better or worse than anyone of us that buys a ChampCar and plays with it.

[Wabbit]

Wouldn't matter anyway now that Rahal isn't a ChampCar team. Dunno about his engine supply, but someone would sell him tires I imagine. At this stage he's no better or worse than anyone of us that buys a ChampCar and plays with it.

Maybe he's using an old Honda. Should be good enough for practice purposes, since you are really just learning how the car drives.

[JLMannin]

Hey, JLM, no disrespect meant here, but exactly where is AF going to get the funding for "selected race dates" after May?
Are you suggesting that the Mexico races would be potential dates? I thought part of the gig was there was no sponsor money and no committment from the Owners \ Principals of the series that were pivotal reasons AF had to commit to the "dark side"....
And what do you think the Owners \ Principals are going to do if he asks to come and play in the Mexico dates?
Are we fer 'im, or are we again' 'im ? (In my best country, hick accent)

Rahal, or Ray-Hole, as I have seen, and prefer, on the other hand, I would not put anything past him, that would serve himself, and screw everyone else. Nothing he does will surpise me, and as long as his lips are moving, he is probably lying....

Well, being that Rahal and Fernandez were known sufferers of indyitis, they were prime candidates to bribe into not competing in Champcar as part of Lord Sagamore's effort to shut it down. Now that is it obvious that Champcar will in fact have a season this year, Rahal and Fernandez are of no use to George, apart from helping to ensure a full field (or close to it).

As far as the principals of Champcar "allowing them back", what should they care? These two owners commitment to Champcar was already quite clear, as both had on-going irl operations. I figure that Forsythe et al would have no problem with them racing in Champcar. Champcar does not have to resort to lock-outs or guaranteed qualifying positions as insentives to participate in the series. If AF wanted to do the Mexican races, I'm sure that he could get the funding from Mexican sponsors. He's like a national hero, afterall.

[ChampcarShark]

My take on this is that OWRS should be open to all who wants to participate.

If they start not allowing certain teams to race they are becoming the same as tony g. and that would be sending the wrong message.

Of course adrian wants to race in Mexico, it is his birthplace, and specially Monterrey, a race he helped develop. Besides, he is still using money from Mexican sponsors and the Mexican races are the most attended races in the continent.

[RacinM3]

The closer OWRS gets to 18 without actually getting there, the more it looks like Rahal and Fernandez were actually trying to kill the series with their defections.

If Coyne pans our with 2, we're at 17, and we could have been at 19 or 20 if the traitors hadn't....uh....traitored :gomer: .

[ShickStift]

If Rahal hadn't left, RuSport would still be a one car team. Fernandez was the defection that hurt.

[gjc2]

If Rahal hadn't left, RuSport would still be a one car team. Fernandez was the defection that hurt.

The best efforts of TG, Honda, Penske, etc. only cost us one car. I really belive we will have at least 18 cars for Long Beach.

George

[TravelGal]

The sky is falling; the sky is falling. I actually agree with everything JLMannin said. It must be a first. Say, JLM, am I getting smarter or you? :rofl: OK, don't answer that.

Silliness aside, I think Rathole and Ferdinand will go anywhere they can get money. The indy-itis comments are right on. After that NO ONE gives a FF where they race, or don't.

[Insomniac]

Is there any law that states a racing series HAS to let a team race if they want to? If I was running the champcar series and the backstabbers wanted to come back I certainly wouldn't let them. Last year it was pretty clear with the way Rahal and AF were acting what was in the cards. As far as I'm concerned only teams that WANT to be in a real racing series should be racing. The rest can go twirl in circles, we don't need them back. Not that I think they will, they have sold out to the highest bidder and tried to hurt the very series that made them, plain and simple. That is not the kind of people we need in champcar racing.

I don't think there is a law. But, given the current state of ChampCar, I think they must have a very compelling reason to say no to a participant. Them being a defector wouldn't be good enough IMO. Now FF a few years and we're on top and everyone wants in, keep who you have and take the best of the rest if there is logistical room.

[Insomniac]

CART rules were changed late last year that you will not be charged a testing day as long as you are using an Atlantics driver.

Rahal may be keeping the chassis for Danica. I know she doesn't have a desire to race in the IRL (except for Indy).

Indy = IRL

:)

[ShickStift]

So, uh, Hello? Mr.Coyne? :confused:

It has been a bit longer than 10 days. :saywhat:

[rabbit]

The best efforts of TG, Honda, Penske, etc. only cost us one car. I really belive we will have at least 18 cars for Long Beach.

GeorgeBingo.

[Insomniac]

So, uh, Hello? Mr.Coyne? :confused:

It has been a bit longer than 10 days. :saywhat:

He'll announce when he has something to announce. Not to worry.

[Wabbit]

18 cars, 16 drivers

RuSport - AJ Allmendinger (R)
RuSport - Michel Jourdain
Herdez - Mario Dominguez
Herdez - Ryan Hunter-Raey
Forsythe - Paul Tracy
Forsythe - Rodolfo Lavin
Forsythe - Patrick Carpantier
Rocketsports - Alex Tagliani
Rocketsports - Nelson Phillipe (R)
PKVR - Jimmy Vasser
PKVR - Roberto Gonzalez
Newman-Hass - Bruno Junquira
Newman-Hass - Sebastian Bourdais
Mi-Jack/Conquest - Justin Wilson (R)
Mi-Jack/Conquest - Alex Sperafico (R)
Walker - Mario Haberfeld

Driverless:
Coyne -
Coyne -

[rabbit]

I've Tomas Enge's name mentioned at Coyne. Well, now that I think about it, not his name specifically. I just overheard someone say they were waiting on the Czech :gomer: to arrive.