2004 OWRS Champ Car Line-Up ?!?!

[evo]

P&G is Patrick's personal sponsor.

[macdaddy]

The must be substance to the Mazzacane-to-Fittipaldi rumours.
It's being reported on CART.com now.
http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=7543

[Mags]

FREE Patrick!! They are now reporting Patrick's demise on TSN.

[cos]

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpa...s_art_id=20120

Ralph Firman attended last night's Champ Car World Series season premiere in Long Beach, California, at the invitation of team owners to continue discussions with teams, sponsors and partners regarding the possibility of securing a drive in this year's championship.

The event, which continues today with leading teams attending press events to discuss their plans in the lead up to the season opener at Long Beach on April 18th, enabled 28 year old Firman to meet everyone concerned with the series as he finalises his racing activities for this year.

"I've been in discussions with a number of teams who have expressed strong interest in my coming to race in America, so this was a great opportunity to meet people face to face and take things onto the next step," said Firman. "I have received two offers in the past week to race in ChampCar and sports cars, but it's a question of evaluating the most competitive options and also looking to the longer term plan. I could race in either this year if I had competitive equipment available."

Speaking about the calibre of the ChampCar teams and their plans for this season, Firman added, "It's very clear that ChampCar is heading for a new era and there are a lot of determined people trying to make sure that the series continues to offer some of the best racing in the world. For me it could offer an ideal arena in which to race now that the Formula One opportunities have closed down for 2004, and I know I can win any championship if I can get behind the wheel of a competitive car. The way things are going I am certain I'll have my plans completed soon and my racing programme underway for this season."

[zerO]

Line-up update:

Latest news from Long Beach is that Forsythe will stay as a two car team with Tracy and Lavin as drivers, and Carpentier's contract will be transferred over to Walker Racing ?!

And here's how the line-up looks now:

1. FORSYTHE - Paul Tracy
2. FORSYTHE - Rodolfo Lavin
3. NEWMAN/HAAS - Sebastien Bourdais
4. NEWMAN/HAAS - Bruno Junqueira
5. HERDEZ - Mario Dominguez
6. HERDEZ - Ryan Hunter-Reay
7. COYNE - Michael Keohane
8. COYNE - Jaime Melo
9. KALKHOVEN - Jimmy Vasser
10. KALKHOVEN - Roberto Gonzalez
11. GENTILOZZI - Alex Tagliani
12. GENTILOZZI - Nelson Philippe
13. WALKER - Patrick Carpentier
14. RAHAL - Michael Jourdain
15. FERNANDEZ - Arian Fernandez
16. BACHELART - Mario Haberfeld
17. FITTIPALDI - Mika Salo
18. RUSSO - AJ Allmendinger

Possible additions:

19. WALKER - Jonathan Macri or Michael Valiante or Ralph Firman ?
20. RAHAL - Justin Wilson or Oriol Servia ?
21. FERNANDEZ - Oriol Servia ?
22. FITTIPALDI - Gaston Mazzacane ?
23. BACHELART - Townsend Bell ?

btw, updated picturesque version = http://www.planet.nl/~f1/cart2k4.htm

zerO

[macdaddy]

At this rate, I think I'll wait until tomorrow is over with!

[Ac.]

Here is the skinny on the sponsors for PKVR. Cheers to the newcomers!

NII http://www.nextelinternational.com/N...y/WhoWeAre.htm

KPLJ
About Kalkhoven, Pettit, Levin and Johnson Ventures LLC
Kalkhoven, Pettit, Levin and Johnson Ventures LLC (KPLJ) was formed in August 2000 by Kevin Kalkhoven, ex-CEO of JDS Uniphase, Danny Pettit, ex-CFO and President of European Operations of JDS Uniphase, and Jack Levin, formerly a Partner of, and Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs for Montgomery Securities. Russ Johnson, formerly VP of Sales and Marketing for JDS Uniphase joined the firm in May 2001. The firm invests in early stage companies developing key technologies for the communications infrastructure of tomorrow, focusing primarily on photonics and wireless devices and networks utilizing these devices. KPLJ takes an active role in its investments with the goal of accelerating their success in the marketplace. The partners bring a wealth of real-world experience to new and seasoned management teams. In addition, KPLJ is able to call upon its network of leading technologists, manufacturing experts, sales and marketing executives and others, who make their expertise available to senior management of portfolio companies.

[Snrub]

Things are not looking good for Salo. How's Firman going to squeeze in. CART's can't let these kind of guys get away.

[3state]

Please say Salo will have a drive. He's too good to lose. He's long been a fav of mine, and last year i rated him and Darren Manning as my two favourite Champecar drivers - with Darren gone, i'm hoping we won't lose Salo as well.

[zerO]

Line-up update:

Latest news from Long Beach is that Forsythe will stay as a two car team with Tracy and Lavin as drivers, and Carpentier's contract will be transferred over to Walker Racing ?!

But, after I posted the above tidbit - Robin Miller (again) had to come up with a different prognosis: Rahal or Conquest.

I'm not buying RM's kaka this time - he was wrong with the "PG buys Patrick assets for Rocketsport and RuSport" and I was right all along that it was KK who bought it for Emmo. That I will not forget, so now I'm not biting his latest spew either. Just like Muzza was at Long Beach yesterday, so was a friend of mine - and we definitely hear a Fosythe/Walker deal for Patrick Carpentier. But, for the heck of it, I stuck Carps in the other two possible spots.

And here's how the line-up looks now:

1. FORSYTHE - Paul Tracy
2. FORSYTHE - Rodolfo Lavin
3. NEWMAN/HAAS - Sebastien Bourdais
4. NEWMAN/HAAS - Bruno Junqueira
5. HERDEZ - Mario Dominguez
6. HERDEZ - Ryan Hunter-Reay
7. COYNE - Michael Keohane
8. COYNE - Jaime Melo
9. KALKHOVEN - Jimmy Vasser
10. KALKHOVEN - Roberto Gonzalez
11. GENTILOZZI - Alex Tagliani
12. GENTILOZZI - Nelson Philippe
13. WALKER - Patrick Carpentier or Ralph Firman ?
14. RAHAL - Michael Jourdain
15. FERNANDEZ - Arian Fernandez
16. BACHELART - Mario Haberfeld
17. FITTIPALDI - Mika Salo
18. RUSSO - AJ Allmendinger

Possible additions:

19. WALKER - Jonathan Macri or Michael Valiante ?
20. RAHAL - Justin Wilson or Oriol Servia or Patrick Carpentier ?
21. FERNANDEZ - Oriol Servia ?
22. FITTIPALDI - Gaston Mazzacane ?
23. BACHELART - Townsend Bell ?

btw, updated picturesque version = http://www.planet.nl/~f1/cart2k4.htm

zerO

[alfan]

Info from friend of mine:
Thomas Enge said in Czech TV(during first F1 race) that he is going to drive in full CART season, and won't compete in Czech Rally Championship.
Of course, it's very,very unnoficial.

[Jazner]

All right, now all I need to know is when the apperal goes on sale. The new Vasser ride with KK looks seriously sweet, and I want a hat...........PRONTO!!!

[Jordi]

I think Enge's doing F3000 again this year.

[alfan]

Originally posted by Jordi
I think Enge's doing F3000 again this year.

Yep,yesterday on his homepage appeard news about it.

[zerO]

Line-up update:

Don't remember if I posted it here or in which thread :confused: good write-up regarding Carps going to Walker at http://www.champcarfan.com - click on feature: Carpentier & Walker ?!

And here's how the line-up looks now:

1. FORSYTHE - Paul Tracy
2. FORSYTHE - Rodolfo Lavin
3. NEWMAN/HAAS - Sebastien Bourdais
4. NEWMAN/HAAS - Bruno Junqueira
5. HERDEZ - Mario Dominguez
6. HERDEZ - Ryan Hunter-Reay
7. COYNE - Michael Keohane
8. COYNE - Jaime Melo
9. KALKHOVEN - Jimmy Vasser
10. KALKHOVEN - Roberto Gonzalez
11. GENTILOZZI - Alex Tagliani
12. GENTILOZZI - Nelson Philippe
13. WALKER - Patrick Carpentier or Ralph Firman ?
14. RAHAL - Michael Jourdain
15. FERNANDEZ - Arian Fernandez
16. BACHELART - Mario Haberfeld
17. FITTIPALDI - Mika Salo
18. RUSSO - AJ Allmendinger

Possible additions:

19. WALKER - Jonathan Macri or Michael Valiante ?
20. RAHAL - Justin Wilson ?
21. FERNANDEZ - Oriol Servia ?
22. FITTIPALDI - Gaston Mazzacane ?
23. BACHELART - Townsend Bell ?

btw, updated picturesque version = http://www.planet.nl/~f1/cart2k4.htm

zerO

[Muzza]

Rahal will not run a second car in 2004. Bobby was categorically clear about this during the Champ Car Launch in Long Beach.

He also discarded the possibility of adding a second car later in the season unless "something absolutely extraordinary happens".

[Muzza]

Also, zerO,

Ryan Hunter-Reay has not yet been confirmed as Herdez second driver. There is a very strong possibility of such happening, but the seat is not yet his.

[Muzza]

(my apologies, double posting)

[Muzza]

(my apologies, triple posting)

[zerO]

Originally posted by Muzza
Rahal will not run a second car in 2004. Bobby was categorically clear about this during the Champ Car Launch in Long Beach.

He also discarded the possibility of adding a second car later in the season unless "something absolutely extraordinary happens".

That's why I've listed Rahal's second entry under possible additions ?!

zerO

[zerO]

Originally posted by Muzza
Also, zerO,

Ryan Hunter-Reay has not yet been confirmed as Herdez second driver. There is a very strong possibility of such happening, but the seat is not yet his.

RHR had said (at Long Beach) that his "deal" is almost finalized and an announcement should be expected next week ?!

zerO

[Muzza]

zerO, we heard the same - you just happen to be more optimistic!

Cheers,

Muzza

[zerO]

Originally posted by Muzza
zerO, we heard the same - you just happen to be more optimistic!

Cheers,

Muzza

Hey Salvatore,
so how should I look at this, heh ? Are you siding with Robin Miller's kaka ? Or are you saying that PG and RHR are lying ? I'm a little baffled here. :confused:

zerO

[corkholio]

Originally posted by zerO
Are you siding with Robin Miller's kaka ?

Where did he say that?

[Muzza]

Hello, zerO,

1.) I have the deepest respect for Robin Miller
2.) I don't even know what Miller said about Ryan Hunter-Reay.
3.) I did not say that anyone is lying. Where did you get that?
4.) Undoubtedly Ryan Hunter-Reay is very close to sign with Herdez Competition - and I for one would be delighted with that, as I appreciate the professionalism with which Keith Higgings works. However, this has not yet happened, as simple as that.

Regards,

Muzza