Wilson Signs with RuSPORT

[Dov]

From Champweb.net:

MEDIA TELECONFERENCE ALERT

What: Media teleconference concerning RuSPORT's racing plans for 2005.

Who: RuSPORT

When: Tuesday, November 23. 1:30 p.m.

What is this all about? We shall see. Stay tuned till tomorrow when ChampWeb will bring you the highlights.

[stmookeyj033]

I suspect it will be to confirm that AJ and Jourdain to stay, and there might be an announcement on sponsors possibly replacing Gigante and perhaps even WILD speculation of a 3rd car, which has about as much chance of happening as I have of running a Marathon in less than 2 hours and 24 minutes, little to none.

[f1manoz]

IMO, will be about:

Stabilise driver line-up - AJ and Jourdain

New sponsor announcement

For/against third car

[BootsOntheSide]

Probably just a confirmation of the same line-up as 2004, and hopefully at least 1 new sponsor. Would be good news if it is.

[Dov]

I went to RuSPORT's website and 'Western Union' and 'Gigante' were not on the homepage like they usually are so it could be a sponsor(s) announcement.

[Dov]

Rumour:

Michel Jourdain Jr. and Ryan Hunter-Reay will switch teams so we'll have a All-American team and All-Mexican team.

Again, only a rumour, but an interesting one at that.

[Dov]

From CCWS.com:

Today RUSPORT has announced they will be competing in the 2005 Champ Car World Series with a two car effort featuring A.J. Allmendinger and Justin Wilson. Allmendinger and Wilson finished the season 1-2 in the 2004 Roshfrans Rookie of the Year standings.

[macdaddy]

Didn't see that one coming!
No information on the MiJack website...
Wonder what's gonna happen with Jourdain?

[macdaddy]

Hope you don't mind, Dov, but I changed the title of the thread.
"RuSPORT Teleconference tommorow regarding their plans for 2005" was no longer really suitable, given that tommorow is today and today will be yesterday tomorrow.

[Tailwind]

So where do you think Jourain will land? Herdez? Rahal?

[macdaddy]

From TSN:

Wilson's arrival leaves Michel Jourdain Jr. without a ride for 2005. RuSport owner Carl Russo says he considered fielding three cars but in the end decided against it.

Russo refused to elaborate on sponsorship plans for 2005.

As for Jourdain Jr., his future is uncertain. His primary sponsor, Mexican supermarket chain Gigante, is reportedly considering scaling back its commitment in 2005.

Jourdain gave up a secure ride with Rahal to stay in ChampCars, that kind of loyalty should be remembered. I really hope he gets a ride.

[BSchneiderFan]

Surprising that Jourdain isn't staying; I wonder whose decision it was? But Allmendinger and Wilson are a pretty strong pairing, and RuSPORT have shown well in their rookie season. Guess it means no F1 with Red Bull for Allmendinger at the moment.

[jjspierx]

As sad as I am for Jourdain and hope he finds another ride, I can't help but to think that Rusport will be fighting for consistent podiums next year and hopefully some race wins.

[luke]

Originally posted by Dov
From CCWS.com:

So the Rookie Champion and runner up will go head-to-head, next year.

What a battle it shall be!!

[Kicking-back]

I wonder if Jourdain might find a home in Adrian Fernandez's rumoured third car in IndyCar?

[Tenoch]

If it wasnt for my chem midterm I be out setting the city of Ann arbor on fire over my outrage that Michel has once again been lefted without a ride. He gave up what turned out to be an extremely strong seat at Rahal in the IRL. Just like I said before I would come to as no surprise to me the biggest MJ fan on this board if he decides to go to the IRL. And if he does decide to go that leaves CC with only one Credible Mexican Driver MD. I doubt it that any of the Formula Renault Mexican drivers will come over as they have stated that the only way to make it to F1 is through Europe Series, and that both Michel and Mario wont make it unless they participate in a European Formula. And another thing if MJ goe sto the IRL so will much of the interest for CC in Mexico, and increase it for the IRL there.

[jjspierx]

Who are your outraged with Tenoch? I could understand you wanting him to get another ride in Champcar, but who is there to be mad at? Are you mad a RuSport? They don't OWE Michel anything, and they didn't do anything wrong by signing Justin Wilson and dropping Michel Jourdain. I really hope Jourdain finds a ride, but if he doesn't, well that sucks, but thats the nature of the sport.

Bachelart should have an opening now, maybe he will sign Jourdain, or maybe Valiante, who knows.

SpeedTV is reporting - "Michel Jourdain Jr. may land at HVM (formerly Herdez) despite loss of Gigante sponsorship"

[enemy-ace]

As unfortunate as it is for Jourdain, Rusport did the absolute smartest thing by signing Wilson. They now have two of the strongest newcomers that Champ Car has seen in a long while. A superb move on their part and I can't wait to see this pairing on the track. I'm going to have to get myself a Rusport hat.

[BootsOntheSide]

None of us saw this coming, that's for sure.

I've long been a Justin Wilson fan, and my overall impression of his 2004 season was quite positive, although I feel that Conquest were quite udnerfunded, which hindered his performances as the season went on. It will certainly be a strong RuSport lineup though.

Much as I hope Jourdain gets a ride, he didn't seem to fully click with the team, and a change of scenery might be good for both parties.

[macdaddy]

Jourdain to Herdez?
RHR to MiJack?

[Kicking-back]

That would be a backward move for RHR - he needs to stay where he is.

[macdaddy]

Earlier in the tread, Tailwind wondered if Jourdain may end up back at Rahal.
I've no idea, but I'd be willing to guess that perhaps they didn't split under the most amicable of terms?
(sp?)

[Kicking-back]

As far as I recall, there was no bad blood between Rahal and Jourdain - it was just that Gigante wanted to stay in ChampCar for 2004.

[Snrub]

Wow, RuSport has one heck of a team now! Admittedly both are still learning, but IMO most F1 teams don't have that kind of lineup!

Before we freak out, Jourdain may still get a ride with someone else. It's a shame Jourdain's 2004 season didn't turn out better because now there's a decent chance he won't be on a team that equals his talents. The OWRS guys would be foolish if they don't ensure he stays in the series. eg. Why not re-pair him with Vasser at PKVR? Odds are he brings at least some sponsorship with him so he'll land on his feet. Conquest needs a driver who can help pay for the car. They've had some excellent performances, so maybe if they were a little better funded they could be pretty competitve. Coyne spoke of a third car and they're no longer the joke team of the series. There was some speculation that Forsythe might have a 3rd car. Gerry clearly likes his Mexican sponsors and he must have some ties down there.

[BootsOntheSide]

I think Rahal and Jourdain split pretty well.

The theory which make sthe most sense to me would be the third Forsythe car, to help with Gerry's Mexican sponsorship. It'd be a good competitive ride for Michel as well.