Is Champ Car a Long-Term Career for Drivers?

[Amar7605]

I suggested this in another thread, and it seemed to garner some discussion.

With the speculation of Antonio Pizzonia being a potential Champ Car driver next year and all of the Paul Tracy talk, this made me wonder if now Champ Car is seen as a place where drivers are biding their time until a ride from Formula 1 or NASCAR surfaces.

Is Champ Car being considered second-fiddle to other racing series, or can drivers make Champ Car a long-term career?

[coyote9999]

I believe some could. Just like some make a living of semi-pro hockey. Doesn't mean they wouldn't go play pro if they had the money, backing or talent. If the series gets stronger we might see more and more people considering Champ Car just like we have seen Atlantics get a big boom because costs are low and there is a nice carrot (money and ride in Champ Car) at the end of the race. Basically what I am saying is that people follow money strings. There is not as much money in Champ Car than Nascar and F1 so more people wish to have their careers there. In the long run you have to look at leadership and the product. I believe Champ Car has solid leadership and a very good product. Therefore the future looks bright for Champ Car

[Snrub]

I think the series was a long term destination before the split. It's been through some hard times and a number of long termers all left at the same time (eg. Helio, Gil, Dario, Kannan, Andretti, Brack, etc). Of late a lot of the drivers who've come in are people who in reality just want to be in F1. There's a difference between that and people who might consider F1 in the ideal circumstances.

I think there's a good group again who for whatever reason are good drivers but aren't going to F1 so they're going to be focused on CC. Wilson, Glock, CDM, Junquiera, Servia and Tag are all excellent drivers who aren't going anywhere. AJ, Bourdais and Ranger have some potential to go, the first of which seems happy enought to remain in CC. I think what will make long term drivers is a competitive series where many cars can win and enough success so that there is stability, parity in the teams and decent pay cheques going to the drivers.

[mountainstar]

As the series grows from year to year and with the potential for reduced costs in the future, champcar may not be a bad place to be.

[Jordi]

It surely is being a career for Oriol...

[BootsOntheSide]

A lot of drivers have had to pay to race in ChampCar in recent years, which by definition reduces how attractive the series appears as a career in its own right. Things are starting to change, and I think most of the drivers Snrub lists are building solid careers in ChampCars, and will be here for years to come. All the same, a time was that it was a destination rather than a stepping stone, and I'm not sure the split is the sole cause. For a few years befor ethat, NASCAR was entering the public conscience with a very American product that was attracttive to young drivers and new fans, and that's where a lot of talent began to aim itself.

[parabolica]

Justin Wilson said to me over the weekend that he would much rather be in a mid-level Champcar team (Rusport of course is better then mid-pack) then a bottom level F1 outfit. He said he was 95% sure he would never drive F1 again. Having said that, he did say he knew when he signed for Rusport that they would give him a car capable of winning races. Rusport did seem to be a little of the pace at weekend (compared to NHR, Forsythe and PKV) but did manage a good finish, mainly due to attrition amongst the top guys, plus a good strategy.

I asked Wilson about England winning the Ashes (cricket), and he said the English media continually asked him about it, even though he hasnt been back to the country in months.

[Amar7605]

What you all have said so far makes a lot of sense, especially the parts about NASCAR and F1 offering more money for drivers. I mean, sure, any of us would definitely consider leaving our current jobs for new ones if it meant more money.

But what I see here is that Champ Car has a real opportunity with their young talent (Bourdais, Junqueria, Allmendinger, Wilson, etc.) to have them for the long-term. With a core group of drivers from which fans can follow over a long period of time, this can be another foundation in strenghening the series.

I hope that the higher-ups see that there is a need to keep the great talent that they have.

[rustyfan]

I think just about every driver coming to Champ Car from the F-3000/F-1 scene intially tells himself it's just a temporary detour as a way to gather momentum before a renewed assault at a Formula 1 seat, rather than coming into Champ Car fully intent on making a dedicated permanent switch.

Of course, to most of them it most likely becomes clear even before their first year is over that the door into Formula 1 has been closed, possibly forever.

So if Pizzonia now looks towards Champ Car I hope he makes the jump because he wants to race in Champ Car, and not because he wants to use it as a breather until he gets a new F-1 chance.

Speaking of Formula 1, Sebastien Bourdais has seemingly already started to work the market in hope of finding a 2007 ride. Go figure.

[mountainstar]

Anyone using champcars as a way to jump to F1 doesn't really have a chance unless he's the champion or something. F1 bosses are fickle and fad oriented and right now the fad is to get drivers as young and with as little experience as possible.

[Nintendo]

It really is a bit of a pasture unfortunately. justin wilson, anyone?

[rustyfan]

Originally Posted by mountainstar

Anyone using champcars as a way to jump to F1 doesn't really have a chance unless he's the champion or something. F1 bosses are fickle and fad oriented and right now the fad is to get drivers as young and with as little experience as possible.

Quite true.

Worked out nicely with Kimi Raikkonen though.