Forsythe Annouces Four-Car Superteam For 2006 Champ Car Atlantic Championship

[coyote9999]

Finally some news coming out of the Forsythe camp! Wow!



http://www.autoracingdaily.com/article.php?cid=4682

[coyote9999]

Forget to mention the 4 drivers which will certainly add more depth to Atlantics : Leonardo Maia, Canadian James Hinchcliffe, Frenchman Richard Philippe and German Andreas Wirth

[Ac.]

Certainly great news for Altantics, but it must leave some other teams wondering how they will compete. I guess Gerry really wants to keep that $2,000,000 in his own pockets!

[hotwheels]

now tim bridgman is also signed (Jensen Motorsports).

[Snrub]

That's an extremely strong lineup for Forsythe. Maia's progress stalled after his incredible 2003 season, but I think he has what it takes. Hinchcliffe looked very able, in 2005, particularly given his age. I haven't watched Richard Philippe drive, but he does have an impressive record. Wirth looked quiet solid in Atlantics last year.

[StickShift]

I would've sworn that I read last month that Richard Phillipe signed a contract with Eric Bachelart to race for his Atlantic team.

[macdaddy]

I know that Philippe tested, but I don't remember anything about signing.

[Amar7605]

What does bring the total Atlantic car count up to?

[rustyfan]

Good news for the Atlantics - should give the other teams something of a challenge.

Now if just KK & Co. could get off their butts and get Eurosport to show the Atlantics-races things would be even better.

[Allan Craighead]

Hey Gang,

The Atlantic Championship is looking sweet for 2006. Can't wait to watch the deepest field in years to race. Here's what I've got thus far for an entry list:

James Hinchcliffe (Forsythe)
Leonardo Maia (Forsythe)
Andreas Wirth (Forsythe)
Richard Philippe (Forsythe)
Tim Bridgeman (Jensen)
Raphael Matos (Sierra)
Gerardo Bonilla (Andersen)
Brad Jaeger (Andersen)
Graham Rahal (Conquest)
Charles Hall (GTI)
James Davison (Australia)

Cheers

[Allan Craighead]

Hey Guys,

Slight alteration to the aboce list. The Andersen driver (Jaeger and Bonilla)are racing in Star Mazda, not Atlantic. Maybe next year.

Cheers

[gomick]

i think team australia will be a 2 car team ... would have thought the atlantics grid would have had over 20 starters ready to go now

[Muzza]

Indeed a (rather surprising) coup for Forsythe in Atlantics - and the team's line-up is respectable to say the least. Maia is definitely talented; he will be the team lead driver and main title contender (by the way, the Autoracing Daily article on page http://www.autoracingdaily.com/article.php?cid=4682 contains an imprecision: Maia has double citizenship actually - he is Brazilian and American). Wirth is consistent and a quick learner and, more than anything else, beating Maia will be his main goal for the season. Hinchcliffe has a bright future ahead of him, displaying impressive competitiveness - particularly under adverse conditions. I have no expectations on Richard Philippe but he seems to be better than his older brother (not that it takes much to that). Forsythe's competitors will have a tough time.

Congratulations to Neil Micklewright - the second-in-command in the Forsythe organization - for putting this deal together. Neil is a serious, seasoned and dedicated professional - and, in my opinion, the man with brains at Forsythe.

[Mr Jinxx]

So, who do you think will be the top teams (not drivers) in Atlantics this year? And why??

[Mr Jinxx]

Seems like there are "established" Atlantic teams like Dan Cobb, Jensen, Gelles, who might be able to use their past experience with the old chassis to some effect, but some new CCWS teams coming in, like Forsythe and Walker, who may have greater resources available to them?

But, with a car that suggests it may not be terribly complex, not too aerodynamically complicated, and not too many alterations you can do with the car, does the CCWS experience count for much, or will the historical setups be of greater benefit?

Who are likely to be the top teams this year?