2006 IndyCar Silly Season - Page 3

Nintendo · 27 Oct 2005, 17:35 (Ref:1445307)

as long as wheldon is still around

rustyfan · 27 Oct 2005, 18:37 (Ref:1445355)

Some drivers adapt better to ovals than others - simple as that. Take Kenny Brack, for example, who enjoyed a lot more success on ovals as opposed to non-ovals during his years in the US and really seemed to like racing on them, despite coming up via the European road-course route (1996 F-3000 runner up and 1995 F-3000 third-place finisher, for example).

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainstar

I thought one of the founding principles of the IRL was to bring up the USAC guys who weren't getting a chance because of CART.

The original vision worked very well, but then the face of IndyCar racing changed and with that the vision did as well.

Speaking of changes, it wasn't long ago Champ Car proudly considered itself the fastest and most diverse racing in the world... So I reckon IndyCar's vision isn't the only thing that has changed over the years.

rustyfan · 27 Oct 2005, 18:44 (Ref:1445361)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nintendo

as long as wheldon is still around

Wheldon isn't going anywhere - it would take a solid offer from a top Formula 1 team for him to even consider it, and given how many top talents are on their way up the traditional feeder systems the chances of a driver coming into F-1 from either Champ Car or IndyCar is more or less slim and none these days.

rustyfan · 1 Nov 2005, 22:11 (Ref:1449862)

As Kirk reported in a thread in the F-1 section, Wheldon is now supposedly not only staying in the IRL to defend his title, but he will also, supposedly, switch teams - to Ganassi.

Link.

This really is getting silly

Team Owner · 1 Nov 2005, 23:26 (Ref:1449938)

A local tv station here in Indy is reporting tonight that Wheldon will sign with Ganassi for 2006. It happens to be the station that Dans girlfriend works for, WISH Channel 8.

GBoehm · 2 Nov 2005, 01:56 (Ref:1450007)

Is there a chance its a last ditch effort for Ganassi to persuad honda???

Kicking-back · 2 Nov 2005, 06:39 (Ref:1450099)

AFIAK Ganassi already has agreed a Honda deal

climb · 2 Nov 2005, 09:49 (Ref:1450215)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Owner

A local tv station here in Indy is reporting tonight that Wheldon will sign with Ganassi for 2006. It happens to be the station that Dans girlfriend works for, WISH Channel 8.

Very intriguing hint IMO

Curiously Italian sources (EUrosport) said yesterday Wheldon will be in F1 next year.

rustyfan · 2 Nov 2005, 12:53 (Ref:1450372)

One thing seems certain though, and that is that Wheldon won't be back with AGR in 2006. Apparently he confirmed on Monday that he's considering a ride with Ganassi as well as the rumoured F-1 test-drive.

Alex K · 2 Nov 2005, 14:52 (Ref:1450471)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

AFIAK Ganassi already has agreed a Honda deal

Ganassi hasn't said a word about signing anything with Honda, but contract with Wheldon will help him to do it.

Snrub · 3 Nov 2005, 21:04 (Ref:1451590)

Shear lunacy to switch out of AGR to Ganassi. I could more easily understand a move to being an F1 test driver, but that too makes little sense.

baclightning · 3 Nov 2005, 21:04 (Ref:1451591)

One thing seems certain though, and that is that Wheldon won't be back with AGR in 2006.

Is this the team's decision or his? It seems like insanity to leave the dominant team in the sport, one he's just won a championship with. The only thing I can think of is that Ganassi threw boatloads of money at him...

rustyfan · 4 Nov 2005, 07:14 (Ref:1451859)

Perhaps he felt inspired by Valentino Rossi who also left the best team on the grid for another one?

Kicking-back · 4 Nov 2005, 08:44 (Ref:1451902)

Rumour has it Patrick Carpentier will be the new AGR driver...

rustyfan · 4 Nov 2005, 10:04 (Ref:1451948)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

Rumour has it Patrick Carpentier will be the new AGR driver...

Now that would be awesome - I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for that one being true!

climb · 4 Nov 2005, 11:04 (Ref:1451984)

the dark side of this rumour is that Cheever team will probably downsize.

BootsOntheSide · 4 Nov 2005, 12:02 (Ref:1452032)

Remember that Ganassi has had close links with Williams in the past, and Dan said that the suggestion of him joining Williams was "on the right track". Perhaps he will race for Ganassi but also do some tests for Williams, with a view to racing for them in F1 in 2007 or 2008 if a seat becomes available?

climb · 4 Nov 2005, 12:47 (Ref:1452065)

mmmhh, a bit bold of a rumour I reckon.

Dan is currently rumoured about testing for BMW, rather than Williams.

drewdawg727 · 4 Nov 2005, 18:09 (Ref:1452247)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

Rumour has it Patrick Carpentier will be the new AGR driver...

Who's leaving AGR?

Kicking-back · 4 Nov 2005, 18:14 (Ref:1452257)

Dan Wheldon

luke · 4 Nov 2005, 20:26 (Ref:1452352)

PC new AGR driver as a rumor? Cool, he has the potential to be in a top team.

Team Owner · 5 Nov 2005, 13:24 (Ref:1452754)

Latest rumor here in Indy Has Vitor Meira signing with either Panther Racing or AGR.
Pretty good silly season so far.

N I Tram · 5 Nov 2005, 14:40 (Ref:1452802)

Meira deserves a top ride, no doubt about that. Wheldon to Ganassi is a strange one, I wonder if Tony George or Honda have done that to ensure a more competitive 2006 season?

Mystery · 5 Nov 2005, 23:37 (Ref:1453109)

Would be amazed to see Dan in a Chip car, and not sure whether I'd be happy to see it, especially after the appalling way Darren Manning was treated by CG. I think I'd rather see him testing a BMW, but I really don't expect him to be leaving the Honda fold any time soon.

rustyfan · 7 Nov 2005, 07:24 (Ref:1453894)

AGR has offered Cristiano da Matta a deal - from SpeedTV.com:

Quote:

DA MATTA IN PLAY

Cristiano da Matta remains non-commital about his plans for the 2006 season. Although he and PKV Racing continue earnest discussions about his return to the team next season, he is also being courted by the Indy Racing League’s Andretti Green Racing, with 2005 IRL champion Dan Wheldon apparently headed elesewhere.

“PKV and I are still talking and we are not too far apart,” said da Matta at Mexico City. “But the Andretti-Green offer is a serious one. For sure the IRL is a mainly oval series and I mainly like road and street circuits in the Champ Car series, but the opportunity to go to the best team in the IRL is interesting. PKV is a good team but a young team and one that will take some time to be at the top of the game.

“I think I will probably be back with PKV. I have a meeting with (co-owners) Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser this week and we will see what happens.”

The article also speculates the main reason Wheldon has decided to leave AGR is because Franchitti makes more money than him.

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