2004 Car Count...

[Dov]

From Champweb.net:

Champ Car Teams Update posted on 12-17 16:33

Paul Gentilozzi stated today that Alex Tagliani will be returning as one of the Rocketsports Racing's drivers. Apparently that means that Rocketsports will be fielding a 2-car team along with PK Racing who is rumored to be fielding a 2-car team.

Gentilozzi did say that there is only 1 team that is unsure of whether or not will race in 2004, and that is the American Spirit team. He said that they are in shut down mode, but does not know for how long.

Kalkhoven also stated that OWRS is looking at finding a young Australian driver to get into a Toyota Atlantic car, which would then get a Champ Car ride to help with the Australian following.

[BootsOntheSide]

Promising. I guess we're loking at:

Forsythe - 2
Newman-Haas - 2, maybe 3
Rahal - 1, maybe 2
Patrick - 0 or 1 (may absorb into FDR)
Rocketsports - probably 2
Walker - probably 1
FDR - 1 or 2
Conquest - 0 or 1
Herdez - probably 2
PK - probably 2
Coyne - 1 or 2
American Spirit - probably 0
RuSport - 1
Fernandez - probably 1

So we could, amazingly, have a similar-sized grid than 2003.

[brno86]

I would like to see a Australian team in the true sense with Aussie sponsors, drivers etc.
I think if we start seeing some positive media releases from the different teams confirming their support, things will become positive rather than negative as we have all been reading of late.

[Dov]

What about a ChampCar with Foster's livery on it!?

[brno86]

The late Al Hoberts CART team had Fosters backing & it looked great! I would like a dollar for everytime that someone says " Australian business doesn't get behind our drivers" Well its about time! A certain bank in Brazil sponsorship of well known F1 driver sure paid off & recognised still to this day.

[Tailwind]

The grid is looking pretty good for next year. i can't wait to start hearing the team announcements over the coming weeks.

[cartpix]

I'm with you, Tailwind. I want to hear about some good sponsorship programs, to go along with them, too. Good sponsors are harder to come by, these days. Even some of the Nextel Cup guys are having sponsor troubles.

Jeff

[sgw2]

Semi-solid

2x Forsythe (Tracy, Carpentier)
2x PKR (Sale, -TBA-)
2x Rocketsports (Tagliani, + RuSport with Allmendinger)
2x Herdez (Dominguez, + probably Gonzales bringing some $$)
2x Newman-Haas (Bourdais, Hunter-Reay with $ else Junqueira)
1x Rahal (Jourdain)
1x Fernandez (Fernandez)

In progress

1x Patrick (Fittipaldi group buying out)
1x Walker (maybe Lavin partial, others filling cash)
1x Coyne (revolving rent-a-rides)

The last three are probably really early in formation stage. They will coem more into focus when OWRS nails down the first 12-13 entries. Bachelart for example let out a press notice that said basically he can field a car, if things fall into place (meaning some support).

I am still intrigued by the $2M TAP that Champcar (now OWRS) will pay somebody in 2004. Who is it that got the sweatheart deal? I want them negotiating my next contract.

This skeptic now believes the odds of the 2004 season has gone from less than 10% a week ago, to 50% already. Its looking surprisingly up for Champcar this Christmas season.

[Snrub]

I'm no Junky fan, but what evidence do you have to suggest that Junky might not have a seat because it was given to Hunter-Raey?

[macdaddy]

50% ?!?
Your post is intriguing, sgw2. You're suggesting that RuSport will team up with RocketSports, and between them only field two cars? And that Nick HR's $ can put Junqueira out of work?

I'd bet the farm that Coyne's gonna be fielding at least one car.
(Of course, I don't have a farm!}

What I'm rather confused about is the whole Fittipaldi/Conquest/Patrick scenerio. Can anybody straighten me out? I thought that Emmo was absorbing the Conquest team, now apparently he may be buying Patrick. This accounted for three cars last year, what are we {potentially} looking at for next year?

I'm not worried in the slightest bit about carcount anyway. A worst-case scenerio is 18, providing no unpleasant courtroom surprises in the coming days.

[macdaddy]

Been a busy day on the forum, and I read this thread before the one about Conquest's statement. Seems Bachelaert is keeping his team together, hoping even for two cars!? I guess I was more confused than I thought!