Zolder is Confirmed

[Marcel ten Caat]

The euro trip is just hanging on the improvements to be made at Zolder. If they don't want to improve the parts that were mentioned by Cotman they will not go to Zolder.

If Zolder doesn't get the green light it's either a quick search for another track (Hockenheim, Bugatti?) or a no-go for Europe in 2007.

[courageous]

Originally Posted by Stranger

a quick search for another track (Hockenheim...

I know Bernie would never let it happen, but since Hockenheim and the ring are sharing the GP, why not also share CCWS?

[NoGuts-NoGlory]

Originally Posted by Novice

I have checked the CCWS website and it looks like they are not venturing across the pond next year. Hope I am wrong and that they have just not updated their calender.

For those that still think Champcar is not coming to Europe in 2007 i suggest you reconsider. The "W" in CCWS stands for "World" and Champcar is predominantly made up of European drivers the last time I checked! KK business model is to expand the series into the European market and is high up on the list of his and CC's priorities.


Listen to Tony's Cotman's message he sent to CCWS track worker's today:

Wednesday, November 22, 2006
TONY COTMAN'S THANKSGIVING MESSAGE
Hey everyone:

Another successful Champ Car season has passed. A great season of racing, with first time winners, an exciting rookie contest, and a three-time champion.

The season could not be successful without the contributions of you all. I understand the time, dedication, demands and hard work which goes into supporting the Champ Car World Series. We could not race at such a high level without all of you working as part of the Champ Car family, and for that I say a huge thank you to each and every one of you.

Next year we will be venturing back to Europe for two races. This is an important market -because as you all know, we have a lot of European drivers participating in our series. There is nothing like driving in front of your home fans! As Champ Car continues to grow and look to the future, with the introduction of the Panoz DP01 in 2007, look for closer racing and more excitement (which makes all our jobs tougher) than ever. I hope you all will continue to be a part of it as we together keep improving our racing and raise the excitement level for everyone.

Be safe over the holidays, enjoy them, and I look forward to seeing you all next season!

All the best,

Tony Cotman

Doesn't sound to me like Europe is not in the cards for CCWS next year and in fact just the opposite whereby he Cotman actually emphasized this fact even though he could have chosen to talk about other things.

[Go_For_Pole]

My take on the subject is that although Champ car is very keen to expand in Europe they might give up on it this year and start from 2008 with Assen and Athens.

[Novice]

I for one would love to see them back in Europe but am sceptical. They came to England in 2003 on a 5 year deal and have not been back because of the rising costs in moving everything across. I dont want to sound negative but until they publish their calender we can only hope.

[coyote9999]

They already are moving across for other venues. I believe if they add two races this year that they will add another two races next year to cover the European market. With the number of french drivers in the series France seems an excellent option.

[Flatspot]

I have to believe that the gap between Denver, August 19; and Austrailia, October 21 (2 months); was placed there as a window of opportunity not an oversight. Champ Car must be working on something that they are not yet willing to disclose. Can't wait to see what they have in mind although I suspect Europe is the best bet.

[courageous]

Originally Posted by Flatspot

I have to believe that the gap between Denver, August 19; and Austrailia, October 21 (2 months); was placed there as a window of opportunity not an oversight. Champ Car must be working on something that they are not yet willing to disclose.

If I were working on something that I was not willing to disclose & the company I was dealing with leaked it then I would probably call the whole thing off & take my party elsewhere.

[Peter Mallett]

Or use it to get a better deal?

[gttouring]

while the talent field i think is very much improved and getting better all the time in CC, getting good track like Zolder is certainly good for the series- if they can keep it...
i would get introuble i think if i brought up unity, but Whiskey Tango Foxtrot- what is the deal?

[norman-normal]

As posted before, if the Europe leg doesn't doesn't jell, then it's Miller Motor sports Park to fill in the gap. Not a bad alternative.

[Flatspot]

That would put Denver and Salt Lake City very close together but you're right it would be a great alternative. I drove it yesterday. What a hoot ! You should make your way back toward SLC Norman and give her a go.

[norman-normal]

Originally Posted by Flatspot

That would put Denver and Salt Lake City very close together but you're right it would be a great alternative. I drove it yesterday. What a hoot ! You should make your way back toward SLC Norman and give her a go.

Sounds great, I imagine they have a fee and some requirements (no roll bar I hope) I would really like to do that. Traffic is so heavy now, not like the days when we used to rip up a two lane Parleys and then down Emigration canyons.

[Flatspot]

I'll PM you with particulars on how to access the track this afternoon (requirements etc.).

Now we have completely hijacked this thread we should probably let it get back on track.

[courageous]

Originally Posted by norman-normal

if the Europe leg doesn't doesn't jell, then it's Miller Motor sports Park

I wouldn't mind that, I just get fed up with half arsed announcements "we might" "we hope to" "subject to XYZ" - Just announce your calender when you've got it sorted!

[norman-normal]

We are just lucky that CCWS is not the CIA; in that case they would not confirm, deny or even acknowledge .

[ger80]

Is Assen already confirmed for 2007? Cant find on http://www.champcarworldseries.com/E....asp?Year=2007 but there is a DSC race scheduled in the Champcar event for 2007 http://www.supercarchallenge.nl/events.php?menuID=4

[kootje]

At http://217.26.114.188/ticket4/superi...me.php?id=3825 is this trustworthy? i don't no....

Grtz Kootje

[Marcel ten Caat]

That is the Ticketpoint.nl website and will be used for ChampCar Grand Prix ticket sales, so it can be trusted. But better type ticketpoint.nl instead of the DNS

Just wait until the date is confirmed, you might find other (better?) offers online.

[kootje]

According www.champcar.nl the race at Assen is confirmed
They will make it official after the second Race is a go! Zolder is no.1 but
other circuits are knocking on the door...

Grtz Kootje

[Marcel ten Caat]

And ChampCar.nl got that information from the organisers of the race.
A press release from Champ Car Europe b.v was sent out today.

No official statement from the US yet.

[Gerben24]

Champcar will make official anouncement re. Zolder and Assen next week.

[marcel82]

well, according to champcar.nl, the Zolder race was in jeopardy because of the first chicane being to fast, giving the possibility to launch the champcars over the hill. Zolder then got the race after promising to redesign that chicane.
official Champcar site does not confirm anything yet, we have yet to receive any official news about it

now I found these pictures:
http://www.racingworld.be/nieuws/397...e-Chicane.html

they are adjusting the first chicane, making it tighter.
I think we can safely say, the race will indeed be officialy announced soon

[luke]

Thanks for the ever present news guys.

[Eddy V]

Yeah, that is the nice thing in this $*#'* country. Change a wonderful gutsy drivers corner into a dreadfull yawning contraption because of safety concerns.

Change the new boring corner into something else again afterwards. Why bother anyhow.

Didn't I tell them that the new corner was designed wrong? Did they believe me?




Okay, I'll get my coat.