"Muermans Minardi Racing" entering Champ Car in 2007?

**FIRE** · 12 Jul 2006, 15:28 (Ref:1654557)

According Dutch F1 magazine RaceReport businessman Harry Muermans (sponsor of Jan Heylen and F1 test driver Robert Doornbos) and Paul Stoddart are in talks about entering Champ Car in 2007.

Source: www.formule1.nl (in Dutch)

So next season "Muermans Minardi Racing" with team boss Paul Stoddart and drivers Robert Doornbos and Jan Heylen?

racinthestreets · 12 Jul 2006, 16:31 (Ref:1654614)

One of a few that may be coming in. I hope Newman Haas can find a sponsor for their second car as well.

Jordi · 12 Jul 2006, 17:49 (Ref:1654658)

That would be nice. It's only normal that interest is growing with the new chassis and the unification rumors.

**FIRE** · 12 Jul 2006, 18:41 (Ref:1654708)

BTW According a Dutch autosport website the Assen circuit is interested to host a CC race.

enemy-ace · 12 Jul 2006, 21:33 (Ref:1654871)

I would support Minardi's efforts in Champ Car. I often wondered why the team never pursued this previously, but I guess the appeal of Formula 1 is very strong. Even for a backmarker.

marcus · 12 Jul 2006, 23:04 (Ref:1654944)

Great news and I certainly hope that if it happens that they do keep the Minardi name

Alwaysfirst · 13 Jul 2006, 00:31 (Ref:1654981)

It certainly would be great to see, though I think an Assen race would only be a sucess if they managed to get Jos Verstappen a ride. It would be a sell-out then!

mp356a · 13 Jul 2006, 02:35 (Ref:1655015)

That would be too cool. I rate Doornbos very highly and I know he could do a good job in CART. Too many good drivers out there wasting their time hoping for a decent F1 ride when there are competitive rides here in CART, IMHO.
Mike

Amar7605 · 13 Jul 2006, 02:47 (Ref:1655021)

Now that the new Champ Car will be unveilled in San Jose, you can be sure that there will be more teams wanting to be in Champ Car.

stmookeyj033 · 13 Jul 2006, 04:57 (Ref:1655060)

I somehow don't think that will materialise. Stoddy I feel is still recovering from his OzJet venture bombing in Australia and he didn't want to do anything other than F1. Then again, I know someone in the media who has his number so it might be worth seeing if he can get a hold of him.

Tim Northcutt · 13 Jul 2006, 11:22 (Ref:1655253)

Assen would be an awesome venue for a Champ Car race!!!!

Silk Cut Jaguar · 13 Jul 2006, 12:28 (Ref:1655304)

Isn't Assen more of a bike track? It looks too narrow for a decent open wheel race.

mountainstar · 13 Jul 2006, 14:26 (Ref:1655395)

Even if the minardi/stoddy part doesn't materialize, Muermans is already here, so I wouldn't be surprised if that relationship develops into a new team of some kind.

Tim Northcutt · 13 Jul 2006, 14:34 (Ref:1655407)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silk Cut Jaguar

Isn't Assen more of a bike track? It looks too narrow for a decent open wheel race.

If you read threads about the replacement venue for Monza's Le Mans Endurance Sereis race in the sportscar forum, there are many posts about Assen and its ability to host auto races.

The track has undergone renvoations and alterations that would make it sutiable for auto racing, and the track also is wider than it was...IIRC, it is wider now than Zandvoort or Spa....

BootsOntheSide · 13 Jul 2006, 16:33 (Ref:1655494)

It'd be good to see Stoddart back in racing, and ChampCars could do with a few new teams. I'd rather they sign at least 1 US driver aongside Heylen or Doornbos though.

luke · 13 Jul 2006, 20:39 (Ref:1655655)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amar7605

Now that the new Champ Car will be unveilled in San Jose, you can be sure that there will be more teams wanting to be in Champ Car.

Couldn't agree more. The new car will be a breath of fresh air for Champ Car which is much needed. Things are looking great, which is great for once as they wern't.
I'm sure alot more teams will be interested for 2007. Which is cool as this year we haven't had any new teams for once.

Oh yeah!!

luke · 13 Jul 2006, 20:41 (Ref:1655656)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Northcutt

If you read threads about the replacement venue for Monza's Le Mans Endurance Sereis race in the sportscar forum, there are many posts about Assen and its ability to host auto races.

The track has undergone renvoations and alterations that would make it sutiable for auto racing, and the track also is wider than it was...IIRC, it is wider now than Zandvoort or Spa....

I do remember a few years a go reading in austosport that car races were not permitted at Assen however I have seen truck racing there in the past and this was before the updates over the last few years.

jc_nl · 14 Jul 2006, 07:50 (Ref:1655901)

The problem with assen is that it is very close to both a nature reserve and nimby's wich makes hosting noisy races a problem.

The rumour about champcar comming here has been around a while, but the person who told me also told me it was a no go due to the noise level.

It would be a good track i think, an F3000 race theire a couple of years ago was a succes, so car racing is a good possibility. The new part of the track probably makes it even better for cars. My only worry would be the last chicane that is rather narrow.

luke · 14 Jul 2006, 19:14 (Ref:1656394)

Well the final chicane wouldn't be a problem for Paal Tracy. Me rethinks of Surfers Paradise.

jc_nl · 17 Jul 2006, 19:20 (Ref:1658506)

The good thing about the graveltrap their is that it runs underneath the grandstand so if someone makes a fool of him- or herself there is a place to hide.

BootsOntheSide · 18 Jul 2006, 10:24 (Ref:1658999)

The Assen circuit has been effectively scuppered with the redesign anyway. It's not the great track it was before they replaced half of it with a housing development.

Bluewolf · 19 Jul 2006, 17:53 (Ref:1660164)

This would be quite a nice feather in the cap of CC -- I hope it happens.

mountainstar · 19 Jul 2006, 23:52 (Ref:1660388)

I just want to see Minardi in champcar.

marcus · 20 Jul 2006, 00:16 (Ref:1660401)

Me too , I really hope this happens.

any further info from anyone if they know any ?

enemy-ace · 20 Jul 2006, 10:38 (Ref:1660665)

Autosport is reporting that Stoddart has confirmed his plans to enter the Champ Car series for 2007.

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