2006 CCWS Silly Season

[coyote9999]

On Satruday Ranger said to "The Journal de Montreal" he was in the final stages of officialising sponsorhip agreements and that he would be meeting teams within the next week. The most probable seat for him, according to his agent, would be a return tohis old team.

[codename_47]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

In an Australian publication, credibility is questionable but its discussion never the less has written that NHR is now looking and all but finished finalising a deal to run Chris Da Matta in 06 ?

Hmmm, I still don't believe any third car talk from Newman-Haas until it's put in front of me!

They've had numorous chances to wheel out the third car, for Da Matta before the start of last season, for Bruno at the end of last year, and now during the off season, but nothing seems to come of it.

I think they feel it'll hurt their dominance for whatever reason, so cling to whatever excuse to not do it....

Now instead of Servia, who earned a shot at being the first person N-H should call if they DID run a third car is going to be replaced by Da-Matta?
Either that or they're suggesting 4-cars......(maybe a satallite operation or something, run under someone else's name? )

I don't see it......though I'd like to!

[mountainstar]

NH's sponsorship hunter was looking for money for the 3rd car. I believe that was publically stated towards the end of last season.

[mac]

This is how I want to see it all unfold for 2006:

NEWMAN HAAS
Sebastien Bourdais
Bruno Junqueira
Cristiano da Matta

FORSYTHE
Paul Tracy
Oriol Servia

RUSPORT
Justin Wilson
AJ Allmendinger

PKV
Franck Montagny
Timo Glock

TEAM AUSTRALIA
Alex Tagliani
Will Power
Ryan Briscoe

HVM
Ronnie Bremer
Patrick Carpentier

ROCKETSPORTS
Mario Dominguez
Darren Manning

MI-JACK CONQUEST
Andrew Ranger
Nelson Phillipe

DALE COYNE
Giorgio Pantano
Richard Lyons

What a field that would be!!!!

20 Cars - 2 French, 2 Brazillian, 5 Canadian, 1 Catalan, 3 Brits, 1 American (slight concern), 1 German, 2 Australian, 1 Dane, 1 Mexican.

I also think Rodolfo Lavin would be a fantastic addition somewhere.

I think Briscoe should get one of the PKV seats too, on talent. But if he doesn't get that, it could mean an extra car at Team Australia.

[D.R.T.]

Swap Glock and Servia and I think you are on to something.

No Dalziel? I think this kid deserves a run this year.

[coyote9999]

Who are the Americans that should be in the mix. We had one near the end of the year. Who else should be considered?

[BootsOntheSide]

Only 1 American would be more than a slight concern to me, although I agree that the drivers you list msotly deserve to be on the grid at the kinds of levels they are at. I'm still doubtful about da Matta though, he was not impressive last year and has a lot to do to convince me that he deserves a return to a title-chasing team.

[Snrub]

CDM had some real flashes of speed, it just didn't translate into a lot of results. Assuming PKV to be a championship challanger is presumptuous given their record last year.

[Alwaysfirst]

I hope that Tarso Marques makes it on to the grid this year. He may not be a driver who is certain to get a win but for most mid-field teams he would be a good bet to get some good results. As a solid support driver he would be a great choice and I think he could shine if only he was given the right team around him. If he can get sponsorship I still wouldn't count him out of a seat at Coyne or Rocketsports and they could do a lot worse than him.

[racefanatic]

For what it's worth, AR1 is reporting that Newman/Haas won't run a third car this year. No big surprise I suppose.

[mac]

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

Only 1 American would be more than a slight concern to me.

I agree to an extent - I just don't see any Americans of appropriate talent ready for Champ Car yet.

[sr230772]

whatever happened to townsend bell? he was not too bad.

[Amar7605]

Last I heard was F3000, and I think a few races in the IRL last year. In Champ Car he was alright, but he was very erratic. In fact, Patrick Racing replaced him with Oriol Servia.

What about Rocky Moran Jr. or Jon Fogarty? I would think that with Fogarty being a 2-time Atlantic champion he would at least get a look.

The overall problem with the American drivers IMHO is that the sponsorship dollars are all going to NASCAR for the moment. And since that is where the money is so goes the American drivers.

[cmk]

Originally Posted by Amar7605

What about Rocky Moran Jr. or Jon Fogarty? I would think that with Fogarty being a 2-time Atlantic champion he would at least get a look.

Maybe he'd pack up and leave for a chance in CCWS, but for now Fogarty's signed for a second season with Flying Lizard driving a Porsche RSR in the ALMS.

[macdaddy]

I don't subscribe to AR1, but often their homepage hints at some interesting rumours.

- Ford may want Tagliani in V8 Supercars
- Marshall back to Champ Car
- Standing starts for Atlantic cars
- Forsythe driver lineup set
- Servia will have Champ Car ride in 2006
- Glock to Super Aguri
- da Matta to A1GP

...Just something to think about...

[mac]

Well Marcus Marshall appears to have a seat signed and sealed in V8Supercars for this year - so I would imagine that puts that one to rest.

I cannot see Tagliani in V8s just yet. The only possible way would be if Team Australia wants Briscoe and Power, and cannot find funding for a third car. But I cannot imagine it.

From what I understand, there is an agreement between Tagliani and Team Australia for 2006, but nothing is signed just yet.

[D.R.T.]

I do extremely hope the Tags to v8 thing is wrong. That would be one huge waste of talent and time. Walker is quite fond of Tags and cant see him letting him go. I cant see CC letting him go either.

[mountainstar]

I don't think we'll see tags in V8's for a while yet, especially in 2006.

Who has marshall signed with in V8's? I missed that.

[mac]

He is reportedly driving the new Paul Cruikshank Racing Ford entry.

[drewdawg727]

Going back to the previous 20 car entry list post...

For some reason i don't see Glock making it to Forsythe - whoever made that wish. It doesnt seem viable that he would make it to Forsythe so quickly. Dominguez would most likely be the one to stay there since he was there last year and got to know the team so well since his first day on the job.

Did Vasser finally call it quits?

Servia will most likely be the one in the third car at NHR, not DaMatta, IMO

[Amar7605]

Maybe Vasser has to stay, otherwise there would be only 1 American in the current field.

Well, Vasser technically doesn't have to do anything, but from an American standpoint, only having 1 American driver in a North American series would not help in increasing the American fanbase, especially considering the number of races in the US.

[Mystery]

Originally Posted by drewdawg727

For some reason i don't see Glock making it to Forsythe - whoever made that wish.

Glock has now signed to do GP2 this season.

[D.R.T.]

In Robin Millers latest article's on Derrick Walker/ Team Australia, DW said that he has spoken to Briscoe's manager and would love to run a third car for Ryan, but at the $$$ aren't there and untill then it wont be possible.

So now its to Gore to get the $$$$ for Briscoe's wheels.

[ozrevhead]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

In Robin Millers latest article's on Derrick Walker/ Team Australia, DW said that he has spoken to Briscoe's manager and would love to run a third car for Ryan, but at the $$$ aren't there and untill then it wont be possible.

So now its to Gore to get the $$$$ for Briscoe's wheels.

wouldnt hold my breath - toyota didnt want to so i dont think anyone else will....

at this rate he will have to go home to Oz

[D.R.T.]

Toyota didnt want to pay for him ? What was 2005, why are Toyota trying to get him to run in Japan.

Briscoe is hugely talented and more than worthy of a CC seat and TA's support, just NOT at the expense of Tags.