Jimmy Vasser

[macdaddy]

Although I hate to think about it, this race in Mexico City may quite likely be Jimmy Vasser's last.

"I think this is probably going to be my last year but I'm going to sit down with my partners and we'll work things out. I don't want to take up a seat if somebody is faster but I also don't want to give it up if they can't beat me."

There's a nice commentary about him here.

[enemy-ace]

That is a very good read. I wouldn't say I am a big Vasser fan, but I do have a huge amount of respect for him. A real class act. It would be nice to see him go out (if it be the case) on the top step.

[Amar7605]

It's going to be tough not seeing Jimmy Vasser on the grid.

[parabolica]

Vasser has 2 podiums in the last 2 races. Which is pretty good considering his teammate (CDM) hasnt scored too many himself this year. The younger talent may be as quick as Jimmy (maybe) but 14 yrs of Champcar has given Jimmy a wealth of experience, which is impossible to replace.

[gttouring]

Jimmy is awesome- I love watching him race, always the gentleman and he brings the car home, which is something he must teach many to do.
Jimmy your the best.

[mac]

Great read.

One of my favourite stories from the Vasser-Zanardi partnership was at Laguna Seca in 1997.

Vasser won the race and Zanardi clinched the championship by finishing third. They were so happy they tried to drive the cool down lap side-by-side, with their wheels just inches apart.

However they made contact coming down through the left-hander after the corkscrew. Zanardi continued on, but Vasser spun off and was stuck in the sand. Zanardi made it back to the pits while the race-winner was stranded out on the track.

He sheepishly scored a lift back to the pits on the sidepod of (I think) Max Papis or Michael Andretti ......?

Very funny stuff!

[Tenoch]

Jimmy is a great driver he has been my fovorite since when i started watching in 2002 I remember his win at Fontana, and his run at Long Beach, I'm sure if he would of been able to secure his ride at rahal for 2003 he would of been champion once again. I will always remember jimmy as one of the greats in the the era of me being a fan. He is a great champion the last american also.

WOOT WOOT
I finally have 500 posts in an awesome time of two years.

[Raglanparade]

Champ Car will not be the same without Jimmy Vasser, he has been in the game as long as i have been following.

Champ Car without characters such as Vasser and Tracy just isnt Champ Car... please race on Jimmy.

[RedNine Racing]

I actually started of not really liking Jimmy..But over time ive started to like the wiley ol bugga..lol

I kinda hope he continues on next year..As parabolica mentioned,DaMatta hasnt exactly showed him up..Either way he would add a lot of value in continuing and if he does hang up the helmut,he can look back on a great career in more ways than one.

Onya Jimbob

[Knowlesy]

It'll be sad to see Jimmy go......great ambassador of Champcar and helped many to find their way more easily, including my avatar buddy to the left. Of course, he is a great driver and champion in his own right.

[BootsOntheSide]

I'm sure his strong form in 2005 is the main reason he hasn't publically confirmed his retirement yet, there must be value in him continuing based on the way he's outshone da Matta of late. Jimmy's done a lot for ChampCars over the years, even though he's rarely beaten team-mates of much note, and his championship was well-won and impressive throughout. At least he will still be involved in the sprot in a clear capacity.

[drewdawg727]

In essence, Jimmy won't be LEAVING. He's still going to the "V" in PKV.
He's taking the same steps that Andretti is in, so even though he won't be in the car, he's not leaving Champcar forever.

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by macdaddy

"I think this is probably going to be my last year but I'm going to sit down with my partners and we'll work things out. I don't want to take up a seat if somebody is faster but I also don't want to give it up if they can't beat me."

Which does make you wonder why he'd be thinking of giving it up. I reckon he's still pretty much as quick as anybody else you could put in the seat, and an awful lot more reliable in bringing it to the finish. Nice bloke, too.

[okeefe]

What a nice read that was - thanks for posting it! He is indeed a credit to this series and it's been sure a pleasure for this member to watch him race and following some along his career path along the way.

[strider]

okeefe has said it all, so I'll simply endorse his comments. Oh, and agree with what Jimmy said about Gil de Ferran. Two class acts who prove it is possible to be both that and a winner.

[Jordi]

I hope Jimmy doesn't hang his gloves yet - there's plenty of racing in him and he's shown he can still mix it with the quick guys out there. He's a "name", as well... OK, so he won't be leaving altogether, but "driver" is not the same as "owner".

[drewdawg727]

I never said that "driver" was the same as "owner", the point that i was trying to make was that everyone is making it seem like Jimmy is kissing the series goodbye, when he really isnt.
Driver and owner are indeed two separate things, and i wasn't trying to assume that they were.
However, we have seen a few driver/owner people racing...