20+ car ChampCar GRID Shaping Up ?!?! - Page 15

zerO · 20 Jul 2004, 16:37 (Ref:1041437)

Update:

Latest from the Grapevine is that Michael Valiante isn't in Rocketsport's car #17 just yet - apparently there is a sponsorhip issue that isn't settled yet: LeasePlan wants to stay and Valiante's sponsor (Deans Knight) would like to be on the sidepods

- so, there still is a chance that we'll see either Memo Gidley, or Christian Fittipaldi, or Guy Smith at Vancouver in Rocketsports car #17 and Michael Valiante would then make his home debut in Walker's second entry (car #15)... the saga continues...

Here's how the line-up scenario looks like now:

1. FORSYTHE - #1 - Paul Tracy
2. FORSYTHE - #3 - Rodofo Lavin
3. FORSYTHE - #7 - Patrick Carpentier
4. NEWMAN/HAAS - #2 - Sebastien Bourdais
5. NEWMAN/HAAS - #6 - Bruno Junqueira
6. HERDEZ - #4 - Ryan Hunter-Reay
7. HERDEZ - #55 - Mario Dominguez
8. COYNE - #11 - Oriol Servia and/or Michael Keohane
9. COYNE - #19 - Gaston Mazzacane and/or Ralph Firman
10. BACHELART - #14 - Alex Sperafico and/or Nelson Philippe or Ricardo Sperafico
11. BACHELART - #34 - Justin Wilson
12. KALKHOVEN - #12 - Jimmy Vasser
13. KALKHOVEN - #21 - Roberto Gonzalez
14. GENTILOZZI - #8 - Alex Tagliani
15. GENTILOZZI - #17 - Michael Valiante and/or Memo Gidley or Christian Fittipaldi or Guy Smith
16. RUSSO - #9 - Michel Jourdain
17. RUSSO - #10 - AJ Allmendinger
18. WALKER - #5 - Mario Habereld

Possible entries this year:

19. WALKER - #15 - Rafael Martinez or Michael Valiante or Jonathan Macri or Nelson Philippe ?
20. KALKHOVEN - #22 - Christian Murchison, Josh Hunt, Seung Yin Lee and/or Rafael Martinez ?

Possible entries in 2005:

21. FITTIPALDI - #20 - Ricardo Sperafico or Jaime Melo or Gaston Mazzacane ?
22. LEBERLE - #24 - Ralph Firman or Tomas Enge ?
23. DYSON - #16 - Chris Dyson or Townsend Bell ?
24. CONDOR - #31 - Jon Fogarty or Townsend Bell ?
25. CONDOR - #32 - Marc Hynes or Ryan Dalziel ?
26. HEMELGARN - #91 or #18 - Townsend Bell or Jaime Melo ?

btw, for the updated picturesque version go to www.champcarfan.com and click on the "Line-up" thingy ?!

zerO

Dov · 20 Jul 2004, 22:10 (Ref:1041718)

From another forum....

Just heard Valiante on the radio this morning (Tue) in Vancouver said no decision has been made yet! The ride is between him, Memo, and one other driver. They are looking for $1.5 mil for the balance of the season. He did not indicate if he was close or not to having the money. As well he said he was offered the ride in Toronto but would not have been able to make it in to TO in time to get any time on track befor Sat so the offer was recinded.

Omega99 · 21 Jul 2004, 00:29 (Ref:1041781)

At least the sponsors want to stick around. That's positive. It's been a while since there has been a fight between sponsors over who gets to be on the car.

"Boys, boys. You can both have a car. Your OWN car. Just keep writing those checks, ok?"

Mags · 21 Jul 2004, 00:49 (Ref:1041789)

Quote:

Originally posted by Omega99
At least the sponsors want to stick around. That's positive. It's been a while since there has been a fight between sponsors over who gets to be on the car.

"Boys, boys. You can both have a car. Your OWN car. Just keep writing those checks, ok?"

My Molson Indy media PR says it's Memo, for what that's worth.

marcus · 21 Jul 2004, 06:46 (Ref:1041878)

a shame for Valiante but good for memo I guess.

I'd like to see Guy Smith have a go but Christian ????

yeah ok give him a race to see if he can still cut it but I really think his time has passed.

either way as someone said its good to see sponsors squabbling , as long as they dont squabble so much that they all say sod it we are off.

stmookeyj033 · 21 Jul 2004, 07:41 (Ref:1041902)

With the race in Seoul goneskis for this year, it would be safe to assume that Seung Yin Lee won't be getting a drive. That would be the case right?

stmookeyj033 · 21 Jul 2004, 09:00 (Ref:1041934)

ALSO, the official entry list has a TBA for the #17 entry this weekend, and no 2nd Walker entry. May be interesting come Friday.

drivergrOupie · 21 Jul 2004, 09:14 (Ref:1041943)

Omg didn't i tell you guys already!

my sources already confirmed with me that micheal will be in the rocketsports

car next weekend!

now quit this grapevine rumor kaka!

Kicking-back · 21 Jul 2004, 09:56 (Ref:1041975)

Your "sources" people who would know, are they?

Amar7605 · 21 Jul 2004, 13:47 (Ref:1042182)

Quote:

Originally posted by Omega99
At least the sponsors want to stick around. That's positive. It's been a while since there has been a fight between sponsors over who gets to be on the car.

"Boys, boys. You can both have a car. Your OWN car. Just keep writing those checks, ok?"

True, it is a good thing!

As for the Michael/Memo thing... just let me drive! I can be in Vancouver on a moment's notice!. C'mon, just give me a chance!

(We all can dream, can't we?

)

zerO · 21 Jul 2004, 19:28 (Ref:1042422)

Quote:

Originally posted by stmookeyj033
With the race in Seoul goneskis for this year, it would be safe to assume that Seung Yin Lee won't be getting a drive. That would be the case right?

Thanx for remainder... skipped that one somehow - no, we won't hear that name 'til next year (I guess)...

zerO

zerO · 21 Jul 2004, 19:39 (Ref:1042431)

Quote:

Originally posted by stmookeyj033
ALSO, the official entry list has a TBA for the #17 entry this weekend, and no 2nd Walker entry. May be interesting come Friday.

And to make things more confusing: car #17 has been taken off the Spotter's Guide at CART.com !!

No, it doesn't mean that we won't see #17 at Vancouver, but it might have different sponsor on its sidepods - and that would suggest "Deans Knight" and Michael Valiante...

On the other hand, I don't see what is the problem with LeasePlan - that company is pretty big and advertises in other motorsports without having Philippe driving - Jarno Trulli had "LeasePlan" on his helmet once and on his Renault car in F1... something really goofy is going on between LeasePlan and Rocketsports... or maybe it's over already...

zerO

drivergrOupie · 22 Jul 2004, 00:44 (Ref:1042699)

Quote:

Originally posted by Kicking-back
Your "sources" people who would know, are they?

More than you'res.

This post has not been editted, but I would like to suggest to drivergrOupie that Kicking-back's was a legitimate question, and rudeness in a reply was uncalled for. Especially the rolleyes thingy. You're the one claiming to have sources, not KB, and it would appear now that your sources aren't as "in the know" as you had entrusted.

fobi0 · 22 Jul 2004, 00:47 (Ref:1042701)

LeasePlan is Fernando Alonso's personal sponsor.

Dov · 22 Jul 2004, 01:44 (Ref:1042731)

Quote:

Originally posted by drivergrOupie
Omg didn't i tell you guys already! my sources already confirmed with me that micheal will be in the rocketsports car next weekend!

now quit this grapevine rumor kaka!

It looks like your "sources" are wrong at least this time. There's a few members at 10/10th's who have "sources" and sometimes there right, but most of the time there wrong.

Mags · 22 Jul 2004, 03:04 (Ref:1042785)

I kept TELLING YOU Michael did NOT have a ride, and did you believe me?? NO.... geese. It's MEMO as I said. Good grief.

Dov · 22 Jul 2004, 03:29 (Ref:1042796)

Are you telling me that your "sources" are always right, Mags? I hope that's not the case.

Mags · 22 Jul 2004, 03:39 (Ref:1042804)

Quote:

Originally posted by Dov
Are you telling me that your "sources" are always right, Mags? I hope that's not the case.

NO!! But I think when I say "I SPOKE to Michael and he said I DO NOT HAVE A RIDE" I am not lying.

Dov · 22 Jul 2004, 03:56 (Ref:1042806)

I don't think you were lying, Mags, but Michael was quoted just recently as saying that he was 99% sure he would be racing in Vancouver. Maybe Walker or PKV Racing will give him a shot or mabye he'll have to wait a little longer until he gets more money or maybe i'm saying all of this cuz I want to stay positive and see him in a CC before the end of the season.

Mags · 22 Jul 2004, 04:33 (Ref:1042820)

I hope so. I have ALWAYS supported Michael 1000% percent... went to Laguna Seca JUST to cover him at my OWN expence.. I love that kid. I really want him to get a ride.

zerO · 22 Jul 2004, 15:26 (Ref:1043559)

Quote:

Originally posted by Dov
I don't think you were lying, Mags, but Michael was quoted just recently as saying that he was 99% sure he would be racing in Vancouver. Maybe Walker or PKV Racing will give him a shot or mabye he'll have to wait a little longer until he gets more money or maybe i'm saying all of this cuz I want to stay positive and see him in a CC before the end of the season.

Well, it looks like Valiante is always one can short of a six-pack - he needs approximately $1.5mil to race as of Vancouver 'til the end of season - evidently he still didn't manage to get that $200K he's missing

- maybe Walker (or PKV) will stick him at Vancouver (by Friday 10am)... if not, then most likely we'll see him in Rocketsports car #17 at the next race OR in Walker's second entry ie: car #15 ?!... anyhow, we all should be glad that finally Valiante's ride is coming to fruition ?!?!?!

zerO

zerO · 22 Jul 2004, 15:33 (Ref:1043566)

Update:

Latest from the Grapevine is that Michael Valiante's hopes of racing at his home Vancouver race are all but dashed - Memo Gidley got the nod for Rocketsports car #17 = http://www.cart-racing.com/news/inde...e=news&ID=3827 - it isn't clear why, but most likely it is a result of sponsors' dispute - hopefully it will get sorted out by next race... in the meantime there still is a chance of Michael Valiante appearing at Vancouver in Walker's second entry namely car #15 ?!

Here's how the line-up scenario looks like now:

1. FORSYTHE - #1 - Paul Tracy
2. FORSYTHE - #3 - Rodofo Lavin
3. FORSYTHE - #7 - Patrick Carpentier
4. NEWMAN/HAAS - #2 - Sebastien Bourdais
5. NEWMAN/HAAS - #6 - Bruno Junqueira
6. HERDEZ - #4 - Ryan Hunter-Reay
7. HERDEZ - #55 - Mario Dominguez
8. COYNE - #11 - Oriol Servia and/or Michael Keohane
9. COYNE - #19 - Gaston Mazzacane and/or Ralph Firman
10. BACHELART - #14 - Alex Sperafico and/or Nelson Philippe or Ricardo Sperafico
11. BACHELART - #34 - Justin Wilson
12. KALKHOVEN - #12 - Jimmy Vasser
13. KALKHOVEN - #21 - Roberto Gonzalez
14. GENTILOZZI - #8 - Alex Tagliani
15. GENTILOZZI - #17 - Memo Gidley and/or Michael Valiante or Guy Smith or Christian Fittipaldi
16. RUSSO - #9 - Michel Jourdain
17. RUSSO - #10 - AJ Allmendinger
18. WALKER - #5 - Mario Habereld

Possible entries this year:

19. WALKER - #15 - Rafael Martinez or Michael Valiante or Jonathan Macri or Nelson Philippe ?
20. KALKHOVEN - #22 - Christian Murchison, Josh Hunt and/or Rafael Martinez ?

Possible entries in 2005:

21. FITTIPALDI - #20 - Ricardo Sperafico or Jaime Melo or Gaston Mazzacane ?
22. LEBERLE - #33 - Ralph Firman or Tomas Enge ?
23. DYSON - #16 - Chris Dyson or Townsend Bell ?
24. CONDOR - #31 - Jon Fogarty or Townsend Bell ?
25. CONDOR - #32 - Marc Hynes or Ryan Dalziel ?
26. HEMELGARN - #91 or #18 - Townsend Bell or Jaime Melo ?

btw, for the updated picturesque version go to www.champcarfan.com and click on the "Line-up" thingy ?!

zerO

zerO · 22 Jul 2004, 15:35 (Ref:1043569)

double post again

zerO · 23 Jul 2004, 23:08 (Ref:1045168)

Latest from the Grapevine is that Walker Racing and Michael Valiante's sponsor "Deans Knight" are doing fundraisers in Vancouver (since Wednesday) and hopefully we will see the car #15 on the grid soon - maybe Road America... and thus we shall have nineteen cars on the grid ?!...

As for car #17 - God only knows who will be piloting it at next race, Gentilozzi surely doesn't...

btw, check my updated picturesque line-up = http://community.webtv.net/Zeus_17/zerO2

zerO

Kicking-back · 23 Jul 2004, 23:11 (Ref:1045171)

If Valiante gets out in Walker 15, then Rocketsports 17 will probably disappear.

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