Michel Jourdain Jr. SEAT test successfull

Net-Ranger · 14 Dec 2006, 04:08 (Ref:1790255)

In past days was announced that ex-Champcar driver Michel Jourdain Jr. get a test with WTCC SEAT team, the test take place today and seems that everything go pretty well for Michel that is exploring a new chance to come back to world class racing after be, like some say, literally trap in a contract with Ford for race in NASCAR only.

From SporCar.com

Quote:

Jourdain finish successfully his test with WTCC SEAT Team

"I felt very happy with the Team and with the car", he said., "anyway we have to adapt to the terms they use in Spain, because they are diferent to the ones we use in Mexico"(I guess after 15 years racing in US and speak always english with their crew and ingeniers he felt wierd speaking in spanish)

"This is more like to what i was use to, lot of technology, lot's of computers, a more light car in general and with a lot more grip than a Stock car", he explain. "In general the environment is more like F-1, more to what i was used to, like the Champcar days, "It was a long time since i drive a front wheel drive car, but i like it a lot. Is a car that have to be drive very precisely to get the best from it", he add "I'm very excited for this chance and now we have to finish some details, however definetly this is an excelent possibility"

Redacción
SporCar.com

Hope this deal be closed and signed , could be interesting...

Ranald · 15 Dec 2006, 09:11 (Ref:1791207)

I can't see him being signed to the factory team to be honest. They have already said that they are scaling down there effort to a lower number of cars and I wouldn't have thought they would out him in one of the cars when there are plenty of drivers with more experience than him in S2000 machinery. Maybe we will see him in a privateer car or maybe even an extra factory car at Puebla.

Net-Ranger · 15 Dec 2006, 14:53 (Ref:1791471)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranald

I can't see him being signed to the factory team to be honest. They have already said that they are scaling down there effort to a lower number of cars and I wouldn't have thought they would out him in one of the cars when there are plenty of drivers with more experience than him in S2000 machinery. Maybe we will see him in a privateer car or maybe even an extra factory car at Puebla.

I agree with you, i see a privateer effort more likely...

anyway it's good news.

Thommy · 15 Dec 2006, 16:36 (Ref:1791548)

Hmmm: Jourdain for Seat Mexico in WTCC? Sound interesting. I remember a statement by Jame Puig, who has said that there could be more "Coronels" in 2007...

**FIRE** · 15 Dec 2006, 18:11 (Ref:1791616)

Would be great to have a non-European driver in WTCC. But I would be surprised to see him full season in WTCC. Only Mexican en maybe Brazilian round is more likely.

Thommy · 15 Dec 2006, 18:23 (Ref:1791624)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

Would be great to have a non-European driver in WTCC. But I would be surprised to see him full season in WTCC. Only Mexican en maybe Brazilian round is more likely.

Just my oppinion...

Hmmm: Seat Guest- Car? For a driver from the country the current event takes place?

kipper · 16 Dec 2006, 20:29 (Ref:1792299)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thommy

Seat Guest- Car? For a driver from the country the current event takes place?

From a marketing point of view, it would probably be a good thing, especially in those countries without a significant presence in the WTCC. However, a good part of each round would be spent getting the guest driver up to speed, who on account of their lack of experience in the car may not be able to fully utilise its potential, which could mean a lack of support for SEAT's championship bid.

Hazard · 16 Dec 2006, 21:46 (Ref:1792348)

Quote:

Originally Posted by kipper

From a marketing point of view, it would probably be a good thing, especially in those countries without a significant presence in the WTCC. However, a good part of each round would be spent getting the guest driver up to speed, who on account of their lack of experience in the car may not be able to fully utilise its potential, which could mean a lack of support for SEAT's championship bid.

That said, that pretty much happened this year anyway.

Nogues - Spain, Gruber - Oschersleben, Couto - Macau, (stretching it) Colciago - Monza.

Think they should go for a standard approach next year to risk not blowing it again.

kipper · 16 Dec 2006, 22:56 (Ref:1792384)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazard

That said, that pretty much happened this year anyway.

Nogues - Spain, Gruber - Oschersleben, Couto - Macau, (stretching it) Colciago - Monza.

I take your point, although I guess there is a difference to using a guest car (for want of a better term) at selected races rather than at every round, especially if SEAT do cut down on the number of cars they enter.

That said, I believe Jourdain Jnr. would be a great addition to the championship on either a temporary or permanant basis.

kmchow · 17 Dec 2006, 09:03 (Ref:1792559)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

Would be great to have a non-European driver in WTCC. But I would be surprised to see him full season in WTCC. Only Mexican en maybe Brazilian round is more likely.

I think Jourdain does have some personal sponsors who could bring a little more money than all these other good drivers. Being a good driver is not enough in this day and age, money has helps!

As well, if they bring him on, perhaps they could attract more Mexican/Brazillan attention and hopefully sponsors?

kmchow · 3 Jan 2007, 06:29 (Ref:1804499)

Has any more news come out of the test? Has Jourdain signed for any other series? Could he still race for Seat?

Peno · 3 Jan 2007, 21:52 (Ref:1805581)

What a wasted talent....
He's on the next step to career suicide. First he went to NASCAR and now this. No disrespect to NASCAR or WTCC but Jourdain Jr. is an openwheel driver, not a stock or touring car driver.

kmchow · 3 Jan 2007, 22:15 (Ref:1805603)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peno

What a wasted talent....
He's on the next step to career suicide. First he went to NASCAR and now this. No disrespect to NASCAR or WTCC but Jourdain Jr. is an openwheel driver, not a stock or touring car driver.

If he can't get into a raceseat full time in Nascar or open wheel, then touring cars is the next option. And depending on the series, perhaps it's cheaper to race in the WTCC than the other two. I think touring car drivers are just as respectable as other race series.

Peno · 3 Jan 2007, 22:42 (Ref:1805627)

He apparently had offers from Forsythe & Newman/Haas to compete in the Mexico City champcar finale so in my opinion he should have taken a drive there and possibly impressed a team or sponsors to get him a champcar ride for '07 so the Mexicans could see their beloved hero race in Mexico City. The upside for the Mexicans if he gets a WTCC seat is that they may see him race at Puebla.

kmchow · 4 Jan 2007, 06:33 (Ref:1805812)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peno

He apparently had offers from Forsythe & Newman/Haas to compete in the Mexico City champcar finale so in my opinion he should have taken a drive there and possibly impressed a team or sponsors to get him a champcar ride for '07 so the Mexicans could see their beloved hero race in Mexico City.

In this day/age, many teams "offers" seats to drivers who can bring or "contribute" enough money to the team.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peno

The upside for the Mexicans if he gets a WTCC seat is that they may see him race at Puebla.

OTOH, Seat could very well be making the same "offer".

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