More Champ Car woes?

[John Thawley]

AutoWeek reporting....

RuSport team closing

Champ Car World Series co-owner Dan Petit, who assumed control of the RuSport team after founder Carl Russo left the sport, says he is closing the Colorado-based team at the end of 2007--leaving employees and driver Justin Wilson looking for work--but plans to remain involved in the sport with another team. Wilson, runner-up to series champion Sebastien Bourdais, is a leading candidate to take Bourdais' seat at Newman-Haas-Lanigan when Bourdais bolts to Formula One next year.

Folks... I have to tell you, I'm not sure which bit will bring the camel to its knees, but I've got some serious doubts that this series will even turn a wheel in 2008. I've heard talk of one "major team" owned by one of the "major players" with commitments to a driver and now not returning calls... I think we're seeing more than storm clouds.

[Nick Koske]

Is there a chance Champ Car disloves before Long Beach next year?? If so what happens to the Long Beach GP? I suppose it goes away at least for a year until they talk to the IRL.

[John Dagys]

I have a feeling Champ Car will survive another year. I don't know why - but I just do. The focus is no longer on America (only 6 of the 14 races are in the U.S.!) But it will be turned to Europe where the series seems to be more popular (especially since most of the drivers have roots in GP2, F3, etc).

But yes, good point raised about the Long Beach GP and Houston events for the ALMS. This question was asked during the "State of the Series" address and if i remember correctly, Scott Atherton said he hopes CC won't fold because Panoz has a strong interest in the series (with the DP01s)..

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by Nick Koske

Is there a chance Champ Car disloves before Long Beach next year?? If so what happens to the Long Beach GP? I suppose it goes away at least for a year until they talk to the IRL.

Champ Car owns the LBGP literally! I would think that if Champ Car was to go under the last thing they would want is the IRL to pick up something that would be good for the IRL. I would look to the possibility of the ALMS becoming the mainliner also with a longer duration for the event. All IMO of course

[porschefan]

Long Beach seems to be trying to keep the crowds up, for the first time, about 4 weeks ago, I got a call from their ticket office, telling me if I ordered now, I would be guaranteed the seats I've always had. Nice, except I've never bought a seat there, I always buy GA.
Does anyone think that if CCWS did implode, would ALMS be a viable alternate headliner for a year, since they would probably bring in IRL the next? The Saturday turn-out last race was obviously much bigger than previous years. Or, do you think they'd (LBGPA) would just cancel? Any opinions?
(EDIT) Horndawg and I were writing simultaneously. Ignore the IRL part. As a matter of fact, just ignore all of it.

[Nick Koske]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Champ Car owns the LBGP literally! I would think that if Champ Car was to go under the last thing they would want is the IRL to pick up something that would be good for the IRL. I would look to the possibility of the ALMS becoming the mainliner also with a longer duration for the event. All IMO of course

I was under the impression a separate body owned the LBGP...but alas...you're right.

The Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, LLC owns and operates the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. The GPALB is jointly owned by Champ Car co-owners Kevin Kalkhoven and Gerry Forsythe, who purchased the company from Dover Motorsports Inc. in June 2005.

[Todd Benne]

It is my understanding and I could be wrong, that while Champcar owns the promotion rights to the event, the city owns the event and all associated facilities and can call the shots as to who races there. If Champcar were to fold, Long Beach could deny the GPALB any permits and such and deal with another series. I am sure everyone involved has an out clause.

I think Champcar will be around in 2008. Too many co-op events and such leaving the door open for some legal action should the series fold. Unless other series are able to run the events without Champcar, again depending on contract stipulations.

One must keep ion mind that what we see is really SOP for these guys at Champcar and they manage to pull off a series year after year.

[John Thawley]

Well, I'm going to go out on a limb here ... I think you're all dead wrong. I'd be surprised if they turn a wheel. Many of their sponsors could give two hoots about the races hosted out of the country. They want American markets. I think the news will continue to unfold... regardless of how much ridiculous out-of-sync pre-race spin they put out there. Personally, I found it highly suspect to find my mailbox filled with long winded press releases this week telling me how Houston is ramping up and Cleveland is ON TRACK... and Steve Johnson says.... I mean c'mon.... in the first week of November I care about this.... why?

Lastly.... YES.... the ALMS not only could... it SHOULD headline Long Beach. It's the future... the style, the racing, the panache... ALMS fits in on the streets of Sourthern California like bacon lettuce and tomato... or I guess I there it would be granola, yogurt and berries...

IT

[porschefan]

JT- thanks for not totally ignoring my post. I, too, think the ALMS could carry the headlines at LB. Judging by the turn out they had for Saturday, and because a lot of people that go are there for the "event," they just want to see a race (it is a way to get new fans), and with proper promotion, really inform the press (because the local sports reporters really aren't all that good anyways, unless it's Lakers related) the ALMS would be a great fit as the main event. After some things that happened last year, "our race" will be the only reason I'll go back.
Your last line sounds like my breakfast this morning.

[John Thawley]

Originally Posted by porschefan

JT- thanks for not totally ignoring my post.

Tried as best as I could.