Latest signings....

[KC]

It appears that Team Rahal may be looking for two new drivers as Brack has apparently signed with Target-Chip Ganassi Racing today. With lackluster results from Max Papis and his team and the collisions between the teammates this season it may be that Buddy Rice, Alex Barron, Casey Mears and Greg Ray are being seriously looked at. I would also think that any number of import drivers are being looked at as well. This leaves Gidley and Junqueria fighting for the reaminaing seat at TCGR.

[Joe Fan]

The Brack signing is big news but not much of a surprise from Kenny's career standpoint. It is obvious that at his age and with his performance this year, if he was going to get a shot at a Jaguar F1 seat he would have heard something by now. So, aligning himself with Ganassi seems to be a great career move since he can run Indy again and even have a chance at a Ganassi/Sabates Winston Cup ride in the future.

Rahal is really high on Kasey Kahne and I look for Bobby to sign him and move him to CART in 2003 at the latest. So keep that in mind for how the cards will fall there. Kasey could wind up in F3000 as a future Jaguar F1 driver as well since he is really Ford's boy right now.

[KC]

Nothing would please me more to see Kasey Kahne get a good break like this. He is one of the naturally fast guys out there. If he can learn the technical aspect of racing open wheelers then he might have a chance to show something.

[Joe Fan]

I would also like to see a great young American superstar talent go into open wheel racing. However, Kasey states on his website that running the Indy 500 and NASCAR are his career goals. So, it will be interesting to see if Bobby Rahal and Ford can persuade him to stay in the open wheel.

[gomick]

what is greg ray's history as aroad racer

[mac]

What are the odds of Rahal doing a Ganassi style shootout at a road coarse in the offseason? Possible entrants could be Casey Mears (I hope not), Buddy Rice, Kasey Kahne, Andre Lotterer and James Courtney. As well as some younger guys like Servia and Tagliani.

Bobby's got big wraps on James Courtney. In an interview on Aussie TV, he said, "I see him really being one of our (Ford's) guys for the future." I found it very interesting that he pointed to Ford rather than Jaguar. Also, when James signed for Jaguar, there was talk that Bobby may give him a run in Champ Cars if there was no seats available in F1. However, it is debatable as to whether he is ready for a top line motorsport seat. After all this is his first season in wings and slicks.

I do think Lotterer and Courtney will definitely be looked at.

Also, I believe Servia and Tagliani (if Tracy heads to Players) are possibilities.

[marcus]

gomick ..i believe grag ray came up through the ranks in america like atlantics and possibly even lites..but im not to sure about this one.

as for kasey kanhe..never heard of him ..any info on this guy at all????

[Joe Fan]

Gomick, Greg Ray does have significant road racing experience at lower levels. Here is his career before the IRL:

1991

·Began racing career by competing in several national Formula Ford 2000 races.

1992

·Won SCCA Formula Ford 2000 championship with one win, six other top-three finishes in eight events.

·Won Kenwood Grand Prix at Sears Point Raceway.

·profiled in RACER magazine’s “Future Star” feature.

1993

·Won SCCA Formula Atlantic national championship with seven victories, eight poles and eight track records in eight races.

·Received Mark Donohue Award for most promising career in racing.

1994

·Finished third in points in first season on Player’s/Toyota Atlantic circuit with three victories, six poles and seven top-three finishes overall.

1996

·Joined Team KOOL Green on Indy Lights circuit, finishing 12th in points. Recorded best finish of second at Milwaukee, just .524 of a second behind Mark Hotchkis.

P.S. I don't know what happend to his career in 1995 but I assume that he was injured or quit racing temporarily.

[Joe Fan]

Marcus, Kasey Kahne is supposedly the next "Jeff Gordon." Here is a link to his website: www.kaseykahne.com

[marcus]

Cheers Joe

talented chap by the looks of it ..will have to look out for him.

[senna12]

I have seen Kasey race a couple of times (F2000) this year on Speedvision. KC is correct, in that he has quite a bit to learn about open wheels and wings. He wasn't paricularly impressive in the races I've seen, but I'm not familiar enough with his history to pass any kind of judgement on him.

[Old Clunker]

There are a number of younger drivers who can fill seats. After this season it looks like there may be some older drivers looking for jobs too. But for cryin' out loud who would want GReg Ray in their car?? he has enough trouble in them IRL buggies with walls all around him and still smashes anything in sight.

For some reason Rahal has quite a time getting a good car and good driver at the same time. I wish him luck though as he has contributed a great deal to open wheel racing in monfey time and effort both as an owner and as a driver.

Lots of great racin' just ahead.

Old Clunker

[mac]

Australia's CART expert and inside-info guy, Neil Crompton, mentioned something about Memo possibly going to Rahal.

[Liz]

Memo would be a good fit at Rahal (All American Boy) with Buddy Rice, so that is the way I am going to bet.

F1 rumours that Rahal is about to be sacked at Jaguar so look for a more hands-on season next year from him in Champ Cars.

I know nothing about the NASCAR drivers so will reserve judgment until I have sene them drive. But I hope this isn't the opening bell for "Hire American Regardless" season.

Real Men Race Sports Cars anyway.