Rumours and speculations on Forsythe Racing

[Muzza]

Dear Fellows,


According to a former Forsythe Racing driver, it would be likely - if not certain - that Paul Tracy would be the team's single entry for the majority of the 2007 Champ Car season. A second car, leased from the series organizers, would be raced in "some certain events".

It appears that Gerry Forsythe is losing the grip on Robert Doornbos, and that this involved the fact that Doornbos is contracted to Red Bull, who will be PKV leading sponsor in 2007. On the other hand, my source told me that Forsythe still have hopes of striking an agreement with Kalkhoven, Vasser and company that would involving "lending" Doornbos to the Indeck-"sponsored" squad. Doornbos would race only in weekends that not conflict with the Formula 1 Championship schedule (as he is Red Bull Racing's third driver in that series).

Aside Doornbos, Forsythe would be eyeing Andrew Ranger for a limited racing schedule as well. It is unclear whether Ranger would replace Doornbos when the Dutch is unavailable due to Formula 1 commitments or if the Ranger alternative would be an option to Doornbos altogether.

All this consider, I speculate what would be Paul Tracy's role in the future of this team. Forsythe's commitment to racing is clearly a shadow of what it once was, and my understanding is that there has been an accumulation of divergencies with Kevin Kalkhoven in recent times (which I have personally witnessed more than once). Forsythe Racing has many brilliant professionals on its roster – Nick Micklewright and Phil LePan of course are the first that spring to mind, but they are not alone – and I wonder if the best for the organization as a whole wouldn’t be for Forsythe to step down (either partially or wholly) and let others run it. Tracy, as we know, has been indirectly asked about it by Micklewright in the past, and has reputedly been offered a stake in the team as part of his compensation package (what, as far as I understand, he refused). But considering Paul’s deep attachment to Champ Car – like it or not, he is the series’ main ambassador today -, his love for racing and his experience managing his karting circuit in Las Vegas, he might emulate the steps Jimmy Vasser’s took at PKV rather well.

Regards,


Muzza