Is the Sky Falling???
January 11, 2008

It is a middle of January and the Champ Car season does not start for another three months and yet everyone with an access to a keyboard is trying to point out what sad shape CC is in. Funny part is that we all know it by now and there really is no reason for any more needling.

So let's review a few things:

1/ schedule has been a hard obstacle - and last year we were put to shame with cancellations - but this year things are looking up even though it does not meet everybody's expectations... so we will have 14 races (maybe 15)... "Rome was not built in one day."

2/ and everybody is laughing that only two drivers are confirmed so far... whooptydoodoo... three months left to make the pics...

But then, on the other hand, something just dawned on me: Kevin Kalhoven's goal is to have all 9 teams to be two car escapades, fine, sounds great... that would make a respectable 18 car grid...

But there is a big GLITCH that I have just noticed: if KK isn't going to help anyone then how will all those 18 seats get filled since there is only so few drivers with money interested ???

Let's glimpse our line-up:

a/ NHLR: Rahal moves to the McDonald's car, and the second car needs a driver and a new sponsor since Medi-Zone went under = Void #1

b/ Forsythe: by Dan Pettit's joining the team plans are to expand to a three car team... good news is that Paul Tracy will stay, and Justin Wilson about to be announced as the second driver, but still no clue as far as sponsorship is concerned and the third car needs financial imput as well = Void #2

c/ Walker: Craig Gore and "Team Au" are reconsidering their financial imput and while Will Power may be signed for next year Simon Pagenaud could easily be replaced by someone with money = Void #3

d/ Minardi: while Harry Muermans and Paul Stoddart are bankrolling this team they had no choice but let go Daniel Clarke (and his Ticketmaster sponsorship) and now they are looking for TWO new drivers since most likely Robert Doornbos will wind up at NHLR... so Ernesto Viso comes into the picture, and he does have money, but the second seat still is a dilemma = Void #4

e/ Coyne: Bruno Junqueira may be staying, but Katherine Legge is gone... and Sonny's BBQ is not enough = Void #5

f/ Conquest: Bachelart plus Mower plus Blumberg equals two cars for this year - sounds great, and the money is there, BUT - still two good drivers are needed and preferably they'll bring in some money with them... Franck Perera has some money, Jan Heylen is working on it, James Winslow is naked, and Nelson Philippe you need to pay - so what will it be ? = Void #6

g/ PKV: very nice to have Oriol Servia signed - we do need him for the Jerez race - but now that Red Bull is gone the team will only resemble "Last Sanctuary" and not a real racing team... who will be Oreo's partner ? - Alex Tagliani ? (no comment) or Raphael Matos who has KK's $2mil in his pocket = Void #7

h/ RocketSports: with Tagliani gone, and not getting paid by PG, the team is looking at an all new escapade... word is that Paul Gentilozzi has lined up new sponsors and is planning to field a two car team... and Alexandre Negrão seems like he will be the primary driver - he does have some money with him, btw... but the second seat/car still is a big question mark = Void #8

i/ PCM: 99% sure we will see Mario Dominguez alongside Figge Jr, Tecate sponsorship is in place... and this is a single outfit that does not worry about financial matters as much as they have their hands full with trying to be competetive... so no "Void" here...

So we are looking at 8 out of 9 teams that are facing major obstacles to solve within the next three months.

Does that mean that the sky is falling (as others want to make us believe) - don't think so !!

The only problem here is that with all those seats needing to be filled, and teams preferring drivers with money - and there are very few of those currently peeking into CC, btw - I don't see any other choice Kevin Kalkhoven will have but to reach into his pockets if he wants all those 8 "Voids" filled.

zerO

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