Update on Gil De Ferran

[marcus]

Gil de Ferran will not take part in this weekends Texas race after his shunt during the chicago race according to the IRL website.
de Ferran suffered a concussion and a hairline fracture of his left wrist in a crash on Lap 52 in the No. 6 Marlboro Team Penske Dallara/Chevrolet/Firestone. He was released Sept. 9 from St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields, Ill., and was fitted with a splint for his injured wrist.

I find that a shame as Gil as mathematically he could stioll take the title but of course his safety and physical condition have and should come first at all times.

so get well soon Gil and come back next year better than ever.

wich raises the question will penske just run Helio and concentrate on possibly winning the series for him or will they run the second car for someone else ???

[macdaddy]

Interesting point to ponder, Marcus. My bet is that there will be two cars. Marlboro will see to that. Who's it gonna be?

[rush1]

Scheckter would be an interesting if he is not contractually bound to Cheever. So would Max Papis.

Is CART running next week? Maybe the captain could hire Paul Tracy?

[Down F0rce]

i dont think PT would do an IRL race...what did he say? summin about crapwagons? i think Scheckter would be a better bet

[BootsOntheSide]

Of coruse Scheckter's confusing contractual situation is under discussion in anotehr thread. Lots of guys are available, but Roger will have to decide whether to blood a young driver or use someone experienced. Surely he isn't in the driver market for anyone next season, so maybe he should go for points with a driver with IRL experience, maybe Memo or Tomas. Does he have any Brazillian sponsors to keep happy?

[macdaddy]

Whatever became of Gualter Salles? He's driven for Penske before. Likewise Jan Magnussen.

[Down F0rce]

Magnussen races for Panoz in ALMS, dunno if theres a race on then or what...of corse, if i had the captains email addy i would offer my talant

[Jordi]

I think Salles never drove for Penske. Tarso Marques was the one who drove the PC27B in 1999.

Good bet should be Papis.

[macdaddy]

Ah, but of course! Got Salles and Marques mixed up. The team will only be looking for a one-off driver, someone who might be able to deliver. Therefore, Scheckter, Papis and Gidley would all be prime candidates. The first two have won on ovals before, and Gidley always seems to be up to the task.

[macdaddy]

Just thinking out loud...

I continue to have suspicions about CART's Fontana event. Surely Penske still owns his chassis from last year. Wonder if he'll buy the update kit, lease a couple of engines, and show up for qualifying at Fontana in search of the million-dollar payday. Gil would be ready for that one.

[tanalised]

do you rackon macdaddy.
that'd be rather cynical of Penske and I'd be disapointed if CART allowed them them to do that. Why would you want to let losers back?

[greg.n]

Penske said in an interview at the end of last year that he could run in both series but it depended on what his sponsors wanted.(he said this a few days before he announced he was going to the IRL.) I think it's highly unlikely.

[f1manoz]

Penske may be welcomed back by the administration, but not by the fans.

[StuiE]

Originally posted by Jordi
I think Salles never drove for Penske. Tarso Marques was the one who drove the PC27B in 1999.

...and Gonzalo Rodiguez its been three years today.

[Liz]

I was in Monza when I read about Gonzo in the Gazzetta. A sad day, and thank G*d we didn't have another one after Gil's accident.

He used to have nightmares about being killed on an oval. All his serious accidents have been on ovals.