Dalziel invited to test PKVR CC

[Dov]

From paddocktalk.com

[luke]

I hope he does OK, Hopefully with a 3rd Brit in the series Britain's intrest in ChampCar sharpens.

[Omega99]

He was definitely showed himself quick enough when he tested for Walker last year. I'd really like to see him get chance he deserves in a champ car.

[StickShift]

Backup plan for if Bjorn gets an F1 ride imo.

[Snrub]

It sounds like Fogarty is in Grand Am, so Daziel should certainly be getting some consideration and a ride for next year. Fingers crossed. So many drivers, so few spots.

[BSchneiderFan]

Originally posted by StickShift
Backup plan for if Bjorn gets an F1 ride imo.

I may be missing something, but could you elaborate?

[jjspierx]

He's referring to the fact that Wirdheim is in negotiations with PKV I think, and will probably be testing soon. If Bjorn ends up getting a test drive in F1 next year or something, Dalziel could fill his shoes.

[N I Tram]

Yea, I think it's more likely that PKV will run 2 cars than 3. Although Wirdheim is their ideal second driver (assuming they don't need funding), Ryan is pretty useful in his own right, and I'm sure commetnators iwll have fun trying to work out how to pronounce his name,adnw hy it's pornounced as it is.

[jjspierx]

Dalziel would be great addition to any Champcar team. He spent his time in the ladder series and I hope he moves up next year. I was really hoping to see him win the championship this year. I expected him to kind of dominate it actually, but Fogarty matched him race for race and beat him in the end.

[N I Tram]

WHere did the ounce of porn come from? I meant PROnounce of course

[Dov]

Ryan D. and Bjorn W. tested for PKV Racing on Tuesday and it will conclude on Wednesday. I don't have a subscription to AR1 so I couldn't read the entire article, but the headline on the home page said that both drivers ran very similar times on day one.

[BootsOntheSide]

I think Ryan has done more time in a ChampCar than Bjorn, but it's still impressive for him to match Bjorn's times. Undoubtedly Ryan would be a good seocnd choice fi the Red Bull F1 team does retain Wirdheim.

[jjspierx]

If Wirdheim moves to Champcar, hopefully he will retain his Redbull sponsorship. Although I'm not sure if that would be a conflict of interest with Allmendinger. I don't think so, as both of them are personally sponsored by RedBull, not a team sponsorship.

[StickShift]

Wirdheim doesn't have Red Bull sponsorship.

[jjspierx]

You are absolutely right, my mistake I misread a speedtv.com article earlier today. Oops.

[BootsOntheSide]

He is a strong candidate for their F1 team though, especially as he spent last year testing for Jaguar.

[macdaddy]

There's an article about the test on the ChampCar website.
Jimmy Vasser also speaks about changes being made to the infrastructure of the team, including the addition of Jim McGee.

Jimmy Vasser:
First and foremost, the most important part of what's happened in the past six months and what some people who left Champ Car for IRL underestimated is the level of support for Champ Car among our core group of fans. If it wasn't for the Champ Car fans standing behind the series like they have there wouldn't be any Champ Car today.

It was the support from the fans that drove Kevin Kalkhoven and Jerry Forsythe and Paul Gentilozzi to step up and do the things they've done. If the support they saw in the fans eyes wasn't there they never would have done what they did last winter. So first and foremost, congratulations to the fans for making a succesful season.

[Snrub]

Thanks for the link macdaddy. Semi-off topic, but Vasser says this: "We don't have any issues with our sponsors where we need to name a driver quickly." Is it just me, or does that sound like they've got their sponsorship sorted out? If you were shopping for a sponsor, wouldn't it be better to have a driver you could sell to them as being part of the deal?

[Dov]

From TSN.ca:

The Swede has cancelled his planned test session with Red Bull Racing after being told he does not figure into the team's plans for next year, according to Atlas F1. Wirdheim, who worked as a test driver with the former Jaguar Racing last year, plans to explore other options, which include the North American-based Champ Car series.

[enemy-ace]

From reading the CCWS article it sounds as if Vasser is leaning towards Wirdheim. Personally I think it is a smart move. He has loads more experience and probably can offer the team more in the short term.
As for sponsors, lets hope PKV's are more interested in a fast driver more than a PR or family friendly one.

[BootsOntheSide]

Originally posted by BootsOntheSide
He is a strong candidate for their F1 team though, especially as he spent last year testing for Jaguar.

Bjorn has now left Red Bull after they todl him he doesn't figure in their plans, so the chance of him being at PKVR next year are higher.

[Dov]

Bjorn Wirdheim comments on testing for PKV Racing