Autosport Mag: Panther Racing eyes switch to Champ Car

[StickShift]

Perhaps someone in the UK can pick up this weeks issue. The Autosport website only has a brief quip on the subject:

Panther Eye Champ Car Switch

It would be great to see an elite team like Panther come to the series, especially if they bring Tomas Schekter or Tomas Enge along with them.

I think the most interesting comment in the article was that Pennzoil would be keen to return to Champ Car. Apart from McDonalds and Tide, there are very few consumer products who sponsor cars in the series. Hopefully there are more 'real' sponsors interested in the series.

[Snrub]

Wow I didn't see that happening!

I suppose it makes sense. Take away the GM funding and they probably don't have enough to survive. Assume for a minuite that CC and IRL are of equal value to a sponsor. Now factor in that the series will basically insure that if funding isn't found that you have enough money to run. That has to be pretty compelling for a team like Panther.

A little more info for those of us who don't have autosport subscriptions: http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/champcar/18347/

[macdaddy]

I've copied this thread from another forum.

[Kicking-back]

Autosport says Panther could run in both IndyCar and ChampCar.

[jock25]

Panther seem genuinely concerned about the lack of concrete plans for engine supply and that is a major worry for them and the IRL.

This is also worrying as it appears, after a decent period of stability, that the old "us versus them" state of flux remains. It is not going to be beneficial for either series to continue this trend of having top line teams jumping ship, back and forth, every few seasons.

IMHO Pennzoil seem to be keener on the CCWS but are unwilling to let go of their presence at Indy each season (understandably after this years cracker). But I believe if they do decide that the CCWS interests them, to "run in both series" will only amount to a full season in CC and a Newman-Haas esque assault on Indy once a year.

If this happens it will be very disappointing for the IRL after a good period of growth and progress. However they will only have themselves to blame if they continue to dither about engine specs and in effect make up the mind of Panther and their sponsors.

Panther may of course be playing a very clever game. As one of the teams most exposed to the risk of engine manufacturers leaving, they may be trying to force the IRL's hand and get decisions made now that will give the teams something solid to base their future plans on.