Aussie Driver in CCWS???????

[mac]

OK, I'll bite .......... who?

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

I'm sure the Surfer's event would live on as a successful V8 one if ChampCars was lost -

Without an Internatioal Formula present, the QLD government wouldn't kick the tin. So I'm not sure how much if a future the event would have with a standalone V8 event. I hope that it never comes to that.

[Chucky]

Most of the posturing about the V8's taking the event over is just that, posturing. The event pulled a crowd long before the V8's were such an "essential" part of Indy week.

In fact, it could be argued that the V8 crowd merely displaced the open wheeler crowd instead of supplementing it.

[dubby99]

Originally Posted by Chucky

Marcus would be good ina Champ Car. He did well in French and Brit F3 on very little budget.

But there is another.............

It's not going to be you Chunky is it?

[gomick]

who is the other chucky - josh hunt .... is josh getting an atlantics drive??? dont say rob nguyen

[BootsOntheSide]

Originally Posted by Chucky

Most of the posturing about the V8's taking the event over is just that, posturing. The event pulled a crowd long before the V8's were such an "essential" part of Indy week.

In fact, it could be argued that the V8 crowd merely displaced the open wheeler crowd instead of supplementing it.

Making the V8 round a championship race must've had some effect on how many people wanted to see that, rather than the ChampCar race. I don't have any attendance figures to hand, but I suspect that this was one of the healthiest events relative to how it was doing 3 or 5 years ago.

[dubby99]

I would love to see Jason Bright back in a Champcar. He done a great job in his first race at the gold coast and is know more than qualified to race in a Champcar.

[macdaddy]

IMO... The series needs drivers from the nations in which they race, in order to keep those races as successful as they are. They need Americans, Canadians, Australians and Mexicans. Two of those bases are covered for now, they need to concentrate on the others.

[Raglanparade]

Why dont we rank Australia's open wheel talent.

What would be the TOP 10 Talented Australian Open Wheel drivers.

I would assume M Webber would be numero uno, but whos number 2 and down.

[Chucky]

In no particular order;

James Courtney (Brit F3, Jap F3, JGTC, led Macua GP until late race bender)
Ryan Briscoe (F3 Euroseries champ, Toyota F1 test driver)
Rob Nguyen (F3000 but very green)
Will Power (Brit F3, GP2?)
Bart Mawer (Brit F3)
Karl Riendler (Aust. F3 champ)
Michael Caruso (Aust F3 Champ)
Marcus marshall (FFord, Brit F3, Aust F3)

Plenty of potentially quick guys there, but almost non-existent interest from Aust backers when it comes to open wheelers. In this case we are almost a nation of NASCAR junkies. We just happen to call it V8 Supercar.

[ninetenths]

surprised not to see Will Davison there you guys,he achieved some great results in his overseas journey....I hear he was on a list for a champ car seat but decided to stay in Aus for 05....i think we will see him in open wheelers again..

[Chucky]

Those are just my thoughts. Will would be capable but that's a pretty impressive list by itself. Also, Will D struggled to achieve Will Powers pace when on equal terms. He's also no fan of the rain or even slippery conditions.

[ninetenths]

I think both Wills are exceptionally talented and they are both a fairly large step above the others listed..I think there CV's will both tell you that..Davison and Power are both strong in different ways and they have not really been on a level playing field....Davison afterall has poled and dominated a Brit F3 race and Power has not..And both have had many podiums over the 2seasons in F3...Davo is only 22 to Powers 26 also, so experience is a factor..

Amazed you commented on Will D in the wet, i remember him excelling in the wet many times...Especially Aus FFord..

[ninetenths]

besides Courtney and Briscoe, those 2 guys are awesome!!!

[Ozchampcarfan]

I'd doubt a few of those guys being able to come to grips to the demands of a Champ Car! Power seems to do OK and get on with the job, but then again, it's always money that stops any of them from getting anywhere - Davison has gone back to V8s - once you go there, you ain't going back to siungle seaters, unless a massive cheque pops off - once you're off the radar, you're off it when it comes to single seatesrsI remember Davison being so good in the wet also - Sandown 2001 comes to mind when he took a corner off his Van Diemen .... whoops!

[ninetenths]

Well, time will tell, i gotta feeling he is in the V8's for the short term, you said it yourself, the only thing that anyone needs to be in the single seater radar is a big fat cheque....And maybe he feels the best way to ge one of them out of Australia is by succedding in our premier series!!! and if not, well earning money here is not a bad thing!!!

And by memory Davisons shunt in 01 at Sandown was in the dry, Race 2 was cancelled due to the rain...And his shunt is one he will clearly mock himself about....I do remember him being 5seconds quicker than anyone in the wet at Bathurst in practise and absolutely romping the race in there in the wet...

[Ozchampcarfan]

I just hope he doesn't go and do any testing at Woomera to try and get up to speed!! Hehehehehe
'One he will clearly mock himself about' - were u in that race as well?

[Skam85]

Originally Posted by astinus4

2. I believe that he's contractually well and truly locked into V8 supercars for the forseeable future.

True, and Marcos has also made it quite clear that he is happy just where he is in V8's.

[Teretonga]

Courtney and Briscoe have the most experience and ability. I'm a Courtney fan but I think Bricoe just may have an edge right now. Will Power is the next best, quick in everything he's tried, and then I'd rate Caruso and Marshall, Mawer and Reindler. There are others around but alot it of has to do with committment and involvement. I left Davison and Ambrose out of the list for that reason.

[Chucky]

Originally Posted by Teretonga

I left Davison and Ambrose out of the list for that reason.

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by Teretonga

Courtney and Briscoe have the most experience and ability. I'm a Courtney fan but I think Bricoe just may have an edge right now.

I'd go the other way, Courtney is a breathtaking steerer. If it weren't for his accident at Monza in 02 (testing), he would be an F1 driver now.

Remember Macau 2003, just an example of how much natural ability this guy has.

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by Teretonga

Courtney and Briscoe have the most experience and ability. I'm a Courtney fan but I think Bricoe just may have an edge right now.

I'd go the other way, Courtney is a breathtaking steerer. If it weren't for his accident at Monza in 02 (testing), he would be an F1 driver now.

Remember Macau 2003, just an example of how much natural ability this guy has.

And my favourite part about him, after being hassled year after year to come and race 5 litres here, he keeps saying NO.