Chiefs revel in survival
Champ Car fans are rejoicing at the news that the beleagured form of racing has been given a new lease on life thanks to a US Bankruptcy Court's decision to sell CART's assets to the Open Wheel Racing Series group.
"Now the fans will know that Tony George never wanted to get together," said 2003 CART champion Paul Tracy. "People didn't want to hear that, but now they know the truth."
American road racing fans got more good news on Thursday morning when Road America confirmed that it has concluded a deal with OWRS for the Champ Cars to return to the legendary road course in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. It and Laguna Seca withdrew their objection to OWRS being assigned their future event contracts following Thursday's day-long hearing in Judge Frank Otte's court.
"Our position has never been against hosting a Champ Car race," said Road America president George Bruggenthies. "Our concern was the uncertainty about the event because of CART's bankruptcy. We've reached an agreement for the 2004 Champ Car race and we're delighted that fans can start making summer racing plans that include both Road America and Champ Cars in August."
Organisers of the Denver race, slated for a week later in August, said on Friday that they will immediately ask city and county officials to approve a new contract with OWRS. Laguna Seca is set to return to its traditional mid-September date.
Two-time Formula 1 world champion and 1989 CART champion Emerson Fittipaldi, and team owner Adrian Fernandez, were present at the hearing to express their support for OWRS. Fittipaldi confirmed that he has wrapped up a deal to take over Patrick Racing.
"It's fantastic that this is over," said Fittipaldi. "Now we have something to show to sponsors - they needed guarantees that the series will be there. This is very positive in that respect and now we can all go racing. CART is a fantastic product, with a lot of international appeal. Plus it's the only platform for a driver who wants to go to Formula 1."
Fernandez said: "As a team owner on both sides, it's a good decision for the short term because it allowed us to race this year. As a driver, it's a good decision because otherwise I don't know if I would have done a full season. Had the decision gone the other way, it would have been a problem from our sponsors point of view.
"But in the long term, we still need to find common ground to get together. This isn't healthy and we need to do something about it."
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