Robin Miller's Open Wheel Notebook

Written by: Robin Miller Indianapolis, Ind. – 11/15/2006
Following last Sunday’s Champ Car season finale at Mexico City, there were more pressing questions than cars on the lead lap.

1) What will become of RuSPORT Racing?

With Carl Russo wanting out to supposedly take his company public, RuSPORT’s future was the talk of the weekend. President Jeremy Dale assured us this Denver-based team would answer the bell in ’07 but wasn’t sure in what form. We heard PKV partners Dan Pettit and Kevin Kalkhoven as potential buyers but that’s not going to happen.

The latest rumor making the rounds was that Thierry Phillipe (father of Champ Car driver Nelson and Atlantic driver Richard) had entered into a partnership with Dale, who responded “That’s news to me.” But Dale did say things were progressing.

“It’s looking good that we’re going to find the help we need to keep going and move forward,” he said late Wednesday. “A lot of people want to help us and there’s still a lot of things to button up but I feel positive we can keep the essense of this team together.”

2) Where will Justin Wilson land?

As of last Sunday night, everyone had the talented Brit signed, sealed and delivered to Forsythe Racing as Paul Tracy’s new teammate. Not so fast.

“We’ve been back and forth with Justin’s people with offers and counter-proposals for the past six weeks but it doesn’t look like we’re going to get together,” said Gerald Forsythe, whose team won five races with A.J. Allmendinger this year before the only American in Champ Car decided to pursue NASCAR.

Dale says besides keeping the doors open, his top priority is keeping Mr. Wilson.

“Justin and I had a good chat over the weekend. He likes it here and we have a mutual respect and desire to keep things moving forward. CDW loves Justin and we’ve got a commitment from them so obviously we want to keep this relationship.

“He’s a helluva talent and a helluva guy.”
3) Is there suddenly a bidding war for Ryan Briscoe?

The quick 24-year-old Aussie impressed RuSPORT during his two-race stint to replace Cristiano da Matta and Team Australia is very much interested in the ex-Formula 1 tester. And Newman/Haas may also be in the mix as well as Paul Stoddart’s new team.

“I don’t have anything signed and everything is unsure at the moment,” said Briscoe, who ran an IRL car for Chip Ganassi in 2005. “I had a good time running for RuSPORT and our objective was to see where it might lead for the future.

“I loved driving the Champ Cars and I love road racing, so hopefully I can find a drive. If not here, then maybe Indy cars since they’re running more road courses. Racing at the top level is what I want to do.”

Derrick Walker said over the weekend that he’d “love” to have Briscoe team with Will Power at Team Australia.

“Obviously, our goal when Craig Gore and I formed this team was to have a pair of Australian drivers and Ryan certainly demonstrated his skills,” said Walker. “Would he be a perfect fit? Absolutely. Will we have discussions with him? Absolutely. Right now I’d say it’s 50/50 we can get him.”

To which Dale adds: “We’d love to keep Ryan, he drove the wheels off our car and he’s an enjoyable kid to have around on top of that. Is there a committment either way? No, but we’re committed to talking to him.” 

4) What will become of veterans Alex Tagliani, Bruno Junqueira and Oriol Servia?

Tag appears to be sitting pretty, compared to the other two. It looks like he could rejoin RocketSports, where he won his lone Champ Car race in 2004, or possibly move over to Dale Coyne, who may have a nice sponsor already locked up for 2007.

“I want to stay in Champ Car and I think I’ve got another four or five more years before sports cars,” said the 34-year-old Montreal native. “If you go to sports cars too soon, they forget about you in open wheel.”

A three-time runner-up in Champ Car and an 8-time winner, Junky came back from his serious injuries from the ’05 Indy 500 this year but only managed three podiums.

“I usually have a contract by now and I’m hopeful that Newman/Haas can find a sponsor for my No. 2 car,” said the 30-year-old Brazilian. “If not, I want to stay in Champ Car because I think I can still win the championship.”

The steady Servia has been with seven different teams during his 7-year career in Champ Car and has no guarantees for 2007.

“Bruno and I have been loyal to this series and I think we’re assets but we’ll see because money will talk,” said the 32-year-old Spainard. “If owners don’t have sponsorship, then they’ll go with paying drivers even though having a veteran with the new cars next year would seem to put us in a good spot.”

5) Does Buddy Rice have a chance with Forsythe?

The 2004 Indianapolis 500 winner and 2000 Atlantic champion didn’t have the weekend everyone expected after his test and was out-qualified by teammate David Martinez, who finished one spot ahead of him in the race (ninth and 10th).

But the first day of practice and qualifying was a disaster (the Forsythe team took full blame) and that put Rice behind all weekend. He did have the fourth fastest lap in the race and knows how to set up a car as well as win races.

“I’m going to be testing some drivers in the next six weeks and Buddy will be one of them,” said Forsythe, who plans to field only two cars in 2007. “I thought David and Buddy both did a nice job in a tough situation and we’re going to do some more testing with them.”

Nelson Phillipe, the most improved driver who scored a win at Australia, is also thought to be in line for the Forsythe test.

6) Where will Simon Pagenaud take his $2 million?

“I think I can say I’ll have a ride, I just don’t know where,” said the 24-year-old who won the Atlantic title and $2 million towards a Champ Car ride. “I’ve literally been talking with everyone in the paddock.”

Team Australia, his Atlantic squad, would be the obvious place although it’s possible he could end up with fellow Frenchman Sebastien Bourdais at Newman/Haas along with fellow rookie Graham Rahal.

7) Which team will run Katherine Legge?

The first female to ever lead a lap in Champ Car has a contract with Kalkhoven for 2007 and a promise.

“Katherine will definitely be in Champ Car next year,” said Kalkhoven, who signed her to a two-year deal and ran her this season at his PKV stable. “I’m just not exactly certain where.”