Jim McGee Comments

[Snrub]

http://www.champcarworldseries.com/N...le.asp?ID=8647

Couple of interesting points he brings up
* Apparently PKVR have bought all of Fernandez's old CC stuff. They must have some extra cars sitting around. I wonder if in the future they'll consider running >2 cars?
* If NH don't sign up CDM it sounds like PKVR will! From the perspective of having strong teams in the series, I think this would be better than if NH took CDM. On the other hand I'd like to see the two young drivers get a shot.
* Apparently there will be a early February test where they'll decide between Bjorn and Dalziel.
* Last year Carl Hass did ask him if he'd run a full year IRL team.

I really hope PKVR can run towards the front, this series really needs tighter competition.

[macdaddy]

Sounds rather certain that da Matta will be in a ChampCar.
Which team? McGee needs to know pretty soon!

My interest has always been in Champ Car and when Kalkhoven, Forsythe and Gentilozzi came in and bought Champ Car I liked the direction that they wanted to go.

Me too!

[racefanatic]

Originally Posted by Snrub

* If NH don't sign up CDM it sounds like PKVR will! From the perspective of having strong teams in the series, I think this would be better than if NH took CDM...

Thank you thank you thank you!!

[codename_47]

I want it all....and I want it now!

3 cars for Newman-Haas and Three for PKV for both the new young talents please!

Nah, seriously it seems CDM WILL be back next year, all that's up in the air is if he's in a red car.....or a slightly darker shade of red or possibly brown car....(depending on which livery he would run at N/H!)

[racefanatic]

Honestly, I've been hoping for Wirdheim the whole off-season... but it's great to know that they're considering Cristiano. It just seems like if da Matta doesn't get a ride this year, it could be over for him - as opposed to someone like Ryan Dalziel who has his whole career ahead of him and is still young.

[Tenoch]

If da Matta comes along then there will be three champions racing in a series with 18 cars thats 16.6777% when was the last time that happened.

[codename_47]

Originally Posted by Tenoch

If da Matta comes along then there will be three champions racing in a series with 18 cars thats 16.6777% when was the last time that happened.

Four Champions!

Poor old JV....always forgotten!

[Tenoch]

Even better 22.22%.

[enemy-ace]

Sounds very positive for the series and PKV. Wish we could see both Dalziel and Wirdeim get a ride. As well as 'Shorty' of course.
I'm starting to get really primed for this season.
How long until Long Beach?

[Snrub]

I kind of doubt that CDM won't get a ride for this year with someone. Everyone knows how good he is. Even if for some freak reason he sat out 2005, I think he'd still be valuable in 2006.

In '98 there was Zanardi, Vasser, Unser Jr., Andretti. Before that I suppose it would be '94 when there was Mansell, Unser Jr., Mario, Sullivan, Emmo, Rahal, Michael. If you include future champs there was also PT, Vasser and JV.

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by enemy-ace

Sounds very positive for the series and PKV. Wish we could see both Dalziel and Wirdeim get a ride. As well as 'Shorty' of course.
I'm starting to get really primed for this season.
How long until Long Beach?

Well if this does turn out to be Jimmy's final year. Imagine in 2006 if PKV had a line up of CDM, Wirdheim and Dalziel.

[Öbus]

CD will sign for PKV! Deal is not yet done but will be in less than a week. BW is out in the cold without any other options available due to PKV and Jim McGhee,s dirty play.

[codename_47]

Originally Posted by Öbus

CD will sign for PKV! Deal is not yet done but will be in less than a week. BW is out in the cold without any other options available due to PKV and Jim McGhee,s dirty play.

With respect, we heard that about Newman-Haas and CDM too....

Still, if there's three PKV cars next year, doesn't that not completely rule out BW?

[Öbus]

Originally Posted by codename_47

With respect, we heard that about Newman-Haas and CDM too....

Still, if there's three PKV cars next year, doesn't that not completely rule out BW?

There will not be three cars in PKV next year.

[StickShift]

If that's true, it's very sad to see Wirdheim getting screwed over like that. I'd much rather see him in at PKV rather than Da Matta.

[Snrub]

Obus, could you elaborate on the "dirty play?"

This is purely hypothetical, but I think that Wirdheim might stand a chance with Rocketsports or Forsythe (to a lesser extent). Conquest, Walker and Coyne (1 free seat) are all open to whomever can bring in money (or if they can somehow find sponsorship), but if no one is found then the series will have to help pay for seats so Wirdheim may stand a chance even if he has no money to bring.

[Öbus]

Dirty play in that sense that they (PKV) kept BW in the belief for the last two month, that he should be given the seat. They kept all the options/doors open for them selves but will more or less slam the door in BW’s face the day CD is prepared to sign for much less money that he originally asked for. This has caused BW big problem in lost time and momentum and due to that less team to contact with available seats. It’s only team how is asking for money left and BW has no big sponsors to call on just one month before the series starts. If he had been treated in a proper way already one month ago his options both with sponsors and available team had been far better than today. According to Swedish contacts BW is ****ed off and has lost all his faith for PKV and how they are playing around with him. This is maybe the cruel way of making business in racing but not a proper way to deal with respectable and young people.

[macdaddy]

I'd like you to elaborate on "According to Swedish contacts".
Another member could PM me and tell me that Valiante has just signed with Forsythe.
I could come on and say "According to Canadian contacts".

[macdaddy]

[Öbus]

Ok! A Swedish journalist and friend of mine who have certain insight in BW’s racing. I agree that the information could be a little bit subjective but you have to live with that. Take it for what it is or forget I ever wrote it.

[macdaddy]

I'm cool with that, Obus.

[BootsOntheSide]

Clearly OWRS owe Wirdheim a drive, one way or another, and I hope they will aim to find him one. RHR will be the first priority for them to ensure is in the series once da Matta's deal is signed, but hopefully an extra seat can be found for Bjorn, even if it is with a smaller team. The whole 'conflict of interest' issue regarding a hadnful of team owners running the series is still clearly an issue.

[enemy-ace]

If this all comes about badly for BW I will feel badly for the guy. I would love to see him in the series, but the reality is that CDM at a lower price is a better deal for PKV.
They don't owe anybody a ride. BW must realize that the racing game (especially in todays economic climate) is tough for everyone. If he put all his eggs in one basket then that is his mistake.
He's a talented pilot here's hoping he gets a ride, ideally in CC.

[Kicking-back]

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

Clearly OWRS owe Wirdheim a drive, one way or another.

No they don't!

[jjspierx]

Originally Posted by enemy-ace

If this all comes about badly for BW I will feel badly for the guy. I would love to see him in the series, but the reality is that CDM at a lower price is a better deal for PKV.
They don't owe anybody a ride. BW must realize that the racing game (especially in todays economic climate) is tough for everyone. If he put all his eggs in one basket then that is his mistake.
He's a talented pilot here's hoping he gets a ride, ideally in CC.

Yep, agreed. OWRS definitely does not OWE, anybody a ride.