CART.com's Own Rumour Mill

macdaddy · 5 Jan 2003, 18:06 (Ref:464614)

Another new article put up today. Nothing but speculation. Kinda surprised that the series' own website publishes rumours, but it makes for a great read.

Herta on Wayne Taylor: "I talked with Wayne about it, but we haven't spoken in a long time so either he's getting another driver or that project is on the back burner, I'm not sure what's going on there."

Herta on his future: "CART is willing to help me, but they are not going to fund the whole team and right now I've got two deals working. Neither is for a full budget, but with CART's help, it could work and we've got meetings with them next week. I would think Patrick Racing would be most likely for me at this moment."

And then they end the article with this blurb:

Gentilozzi still hasn't announced his lineup for 2003, but recently said on "RPM Now" radio that his driver has "seven years of CART experience, has won races, has triumphed at the Rolex 24 and loves red wine." Can you say, Max Papis? ... Craig Pollock, manager and best friend of '95 CART champ Jacques Villenueve, is reportedly interested in starting a CART team with the old PacWest assets. Maybe with Johnny Herbert? ... "Autosport" magazine reported that F3000 runner-up Giorgio Pantano will run the next two years in CART with BC Motorsports and Sunoco sponsorship, but right now it's more speculation than fact. Pantano recently competed for the Williams F1 test seat, while BC Motorsports is owned by Dana Brewer of San Diego. ... The annual race at Wisconsin State Fair Park looks like it's headed for a Saturday night show - CART's first-ever under the lights. There is a new $64 million grandstand being built at the legendary Milwaukee Mile oval track.

...So even CART is telling us that the BC Motorsports thing is nothing of consequence.

Jordi · 5 Jan 2003, 18:13 (Ref:464624)

Of the teams that appear in the "Teams" section, there's no BC Motorsports, so that's it.

I'd love to see Herta back.

NASCAR.com also has a page with weekly rumors, so I guess it's normal...

macdaddy · 5 Jan 2003, 18:25 (Ref:464633)

The "Teams" section appears to be somewhat out-dated, though. They don't list the second Herdez car, a second Johannson car, or Lavin's ride with Walker.

macdaddy · 5 Jan 2003, 18:33 (Ref:464638)

Thinking out loud...

If Herta is better linked to Patrick than with Johannson, does that mean that Stefan has his eye on another American driver to team with Hunter-Reay? And if so, who? Gidley? Barron? And with Rocketsports campaigning Papis, where does that leave Tagliani? N/Haas? I really hope so, but I'm certainly not counting on it. Got a funny feeling that Zonta may land that ride. (If there is a ride to land.)

Jay · 5 Jan 2003, 18:56 (Ref:464660)

I wouldn't rely on the teams/drivers list as a source of information, I'd be surprised if Cart.com's webmaster was privy to any more information than we are.

Robin Miller has been one of the better reporters throughout the silly season, and has been more successful in his predictions than anyone else I've read, but that said, his record is not at all perfect.

That said, even though I'm not conviced of his super-talent, having Herta in the series would be a good thing, as the fans seem to like him.

Raven · 5 Jan 2003, 19:00 (Ref:464667)

Quote:

Originally posted by macdaddy
Thinking out loud...

If Herta is better linked to Patrick than with Johannson, does that mean that Stefan has his eye on another American driver to team with Hunter-Reay? And if so, who? Gidley? Barron?

So has the deal with Vasser fallen through? Last I heard he was a shoe-in for one of the two seats at Stefan's team, but there was some sort of dispute over pay?? That would be a shame, but on the other hand it would be great to see Gidley back, or a driver the calibre of Barron. Johansson would surely want an experienced hand alongside Hunter-Reay.

macdaddy · 5 Jan 2003, 19:02 (Ref:464671)

Sorry, Raven. I should've included Vasser on that list. Like I said, I was only "thinking", and I'm not always very good at that!

Raven · 5 Jan 2003, 20:17 (Ref:464732)

No probs macdaddy, thanks for the updates. I'm just trying to catch up on all the CART news, rumours and developments today. It seems quite hard to keep track of everything going on, one day it's one thing and the next it's the other! Still, at least it gives us all something to be talking about until St.Pete

( which can't be too long now).

I think it's quite safe to say that Alex Yoong can be added to the list of certainties, albeit with a team TBA. He's got the program covered by his sponsors.

If Pollock puts a team together, I doubt they'll be out there before Long Beach and I think it would be more likely to have someone he's become acquainted with from BAR (where he's still involved) driving for him, now that Takuma Sato will be doing the lions share of testing. Someone such as Patrick Lamaire or Anthony Davidson would seem a more likely bet over Herbert, who has now probably missed the boat.

Liz · 6 Jan 2003, 00:15 (Ref:464941)

According to Autoweek, Pollock's PacWest assets are tied up in the bankruptcy court. So it's not likely he'll be out on the grid at St. Pete unless Bernie lends a hand or something.

Minardi4eva · 6 Jan 2003, 01:56 (Ref:464976)

Long stretch,but I may know who could land a ride in CART.

Hint:Initials are TM

The Snout · 6 Jan 2003, 02:21 (Ref:464982)

Yeah, bring Tommi Makkinen on, then we'll see Champcars sideways.

Minardi4eva · 6 Jan 2003, 03:23 (Ref:465000)

Thats not the TM that I was thinking of....

Liz · 6 Jan 2003, 03:27 (Ref:465005)

Yes, sideways Champ Cars and Tommi's effervescent personality and exciting press conferences too!

I don't know anyone else whose initials are TM.

The Snout · 6 Jan 2003, 03:37 (Ref:465011)

Tommi was a quip by me........Marques perhaps

macdaddy · 6 Jan 2003, 07:26 (Ref:465077)

Shame if PacWest's assets are tied up in court this late into the offseason. For months we've been speculating and throwing rumours around.

TM..? I'd welcome Marques back into the series. I always liked him. But otherwise I'm stumped by Minardi4eva's riddle. I just hope that it's not a kid brother named Tiro Matsusita! (I had to misspell the surname so as to avoid the autocensor!)