A Couple of Rumours

[Dov]

Taken from another forum:

Being an hr. ahead of of Indy time, I tried to tune into an hr. early and got RM's lead-in for "The Truth." Robin says that:

-PT and Forsythe have (likely) worked out a deal for next year.

-Paul Newman (finally) returned his call, and it's looking like N/H will stay together.

-It looks like some big announcements will begin, hopefully at Montreal, involving several big-name sponsors, including McD's and Ford of Canada, Mexico, and S. America. He also admitted that a month ago most people couldn't have seen this happening.

-Related to above: Race in Argentina likely next year.

[Dov]

From Speedtv.com:

One of the hot rumors in the NASCAR paddock over the weekend at Michigan was that Paul Tracy had the inside line on a seat at Richard Childress Racing if Robby Gordon leaves to start his own team.

But it sounds like the only time Champ Car's biggest star will be going south in 2005 is for spring training at Sebring, Fla.

"I don't know who started that rumor but I'll give them 10-1 odds," said Gerald Forsythe, who fields a car and pays the 2003 CART champion out of his own pocket. "I had a nice meeting with Paul and his agent recently and he's excited about the future.

"Paul has been one of our most vocal supporters and I appreciate his position."

Tracy, who had been approached by Childress to run the Nextel Cup show at Sonoma, Calif. earlier this season, admitted Monday that he's staying put.

"We've come to an agreement but we just don't have it on paper yet," said the 35-year-old Canadian. "I'd like to get this deal together and I should know for sure within the next couple races."

Asked if he still had aspirations of NASCAR, especially if the stock car set goes to Montreal, Tracy replied: "Maybe, if the right deal came along but I'd like to stay in Champ Car. It's always been my home and I like the direction our new owners are taking it."

Forsythe was asked why he wouldn't let Tracy run some select NASCAR races…

"I don't see any connection between Champ Car and NASCAR so I can't see how it would benefit Paul or Champ Car," he replied. "Those people aren't going to let Paul do good anyway."

As a parting shot, Forsythe added:

"I just wish next time that Richard would call me instead of my driver."

PORTLAND BACK ON SKED

After apparently being bluffed by the Indy Racing League, officials of the long-running Portland race have made peace with Champ Car.

"I told people that the IRL was just messing around and never intended to race at Portland and I'm happy everything worked out," said Paul Gentilozzi, one of the principals of Open Wheel Racing Series, following the announcement that Champ Champ had entered into a memorandum of understanding to run Portland International Raceway for at least three more years.

"Dick Eidswick (Champ Car president) put the deal together and it's my understanding they have a three-year deal with an option."

The IRL, though professional golfer Peter Jacobsen's promotion/marketing company, was supposedly considering adding the longtime road course to its schedule but evidently that offer never materialized.

So Champ Car, which had refused to enter into a bidding war for an event it started in 1984, will now be back in the Pacific Northwest.

"You don't let emotions get in the way of business," said Eidswick. "It has always been our position that we wanted to continue racing in Portland."

Attendance has steadily declined during the past few years but Gentilozzi maintains the race can regain its old luster. "We think with the right promotion, it can be successful or we wouldn't be interested."

Champ Car will have only itself to blame since it's going to do the promoting.

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS

Word in the Champ Car camp is that a major title sponsor for the series could be announced as early at this weekend at Montreal.

"We've got a couple of key meetings this week but I believe we will have some major announcements during the next few weeks," replied Kevin Kalkhoven, when asked about the rumor. "Let's just say I've been pleasantly surprised by the calibre of companies who have shown interest in Champ Car's future.

"Especially considering we're supposed to be dead."

Even though Bridgestone and Ford are currently presenting sponsors, Champ Car hasn't had a title sponsor since FedEx went away following the 2002 season. And that particular partnership did a lot more for FedEx than it did for Champ Cars.

It's believed Ford's divisions in Canada, Mexico and South America (Champ Car will be racing in Argentina in 2005) are going to be part of the sponsorship package, which may also include McDonald's, which currently sponsors point leader Sebastien Bourdais.

The title sponsor, according to Gentilozzi, is a "big hitter."

STILL NEWMAN-HAAS RACING?

Paul Newman and Carl Haas have the longest running partnership in open wheel racing -- beginning in 1983 with Mario Andretti. And, after much speculation, it appears that union is going to stay together.

With Haas being tempted by an offer from Tony George and Honda (Carl's wife reportedly signed a letter of intent with Honda) to join the IRL in 2005, Newman was prepared to keep the doors open of their two-car Champ Car operation and split up.

But, following a recent meeting, it sounds like the divorce is off.

"All I can say is that it looks promising but nothing is set in concrete," said Newman, who was instrumental in landing McDonald's and PacifiCare as sponsors for Sebastien Bourdais and Bruno Junqueira and has been a vocal supporter of Champ Car.

Keep On Rollin' Champ Cars!!!

[Hazza]

If they could get the sponsership together I belive that if its going to be anyone NH could run with fingers in both pies...

[macdaddy]

No, the "N" couldn't.

Thanks for that, Dov. It's great to get a breath of fresh air, something to look forward to.

"The New ChampCar" is taking off faster than I had ever anticipated. The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades!

[enemy-ace]

Originally posted by luke
I heard a rumor that there may be a Champcar Computer game that may be made is that true.

http://www.s-egames.com/main.html
This company is rumored to be the developer.
Check out the Champ Car steering wheel on the home page.
Also available is a quality 2003 Champ Car Mod for EA's F1 Challenge.