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Panther Talking to Champ Car?
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Topic Started: Jul 16 2005, 02:36 AM (76 Views)
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underbird92
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Jul 16 2005, 02:36 AM
Post #1
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That means no Pennzoil, no Rockstar Energy Drink, no Chevrolet. And yet, team leader John Barnes isn't concerned at this moment. "Because there isn't any point in worrying about that right now," he said.
Barnes said it will be September before Panther's plans come into focus, but it's clear that one of the IRL's oldest teams is considering different roads.
Barnes confirmed a recent meeting with Champ Car World Series officials about joining that series. Members of his organization also have spoken with officials from NASCAR and the Grand American Road Racing series, he said.
http://www.detnews.com/2005/motorsports/05...port-249803.htm
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underbird92
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Jul 22 2005, 01:32 PM
Post #2
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Panther Could Field Champ Car Team in '06 Written by: RACER staff Irvine, Calif. – 7/22/2005
 Panther's sponsors are believed to be interested in both open-wheel series for 2006. (LAT Photo)The rumors of a possible entry by IRL regulars Panther Racing in the Champ Car World Series next year have resurfaced this week, as team co-owner Doug Bowles admitted to Autosport magazine that the squad has been in talks with Champ Car co-owners Kevin Kalkhoven and Gerry Forsythe. At first that wouldn’t necessarily mean the beginning of a relationship between Panther and Champ Car, since Kalkhoven and Forsythe own Cosworth, the suppliers of Panther’s Chevy-badged IndyCar engine. "We wanted to create a relationship with Kevin (Kalkhoven) and Gerry (Forsythe) since we're carrying their flag in the IRL with the Cosworth," Bowles stated. The novelty factor comes from Bowles’ revelation that potential ‘06 sponsors for the team - reportedly current backers Pennzoil among them - want the squad to consider a Champ Car program for next season. "Some of the potential sponsors we've been talking to also wanted us to look at both series," he added. Panther Racing is the only IRL team campaigning Chevrolet power plants this year, and unless Cosworth finds a new manufacturer to badge its Indy units in 2006 - it is believed to be in talks with Hyundai for that purpose - the outfit could be left without an engine supplier, since the bow-tie brand has announced its withdrawal from IRL competition by this season’s end.
http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/champcar/18347/
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Dewy9
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Jul 22 2005, 07:39 PM
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This is interesting. Since about 2001 it's been CART to IRL, so maybe the tide will turn to the other direction.
Hopefully Buddy can get a full time ride with them next year.
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underbird92
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Jul 25 2005, 02:14 PM
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Panther to Race Solely in IRL Next Year Written by: RACER staff Indianapolis, Ind. – 7/25/2005
 Panther believes its competitiveness - Scheckter (above) finished on the Milwaukee podium this Sunday - can persuade GM to carry on its IRL involvement. (LAT Photo)
Panther Racing co-owner John Barnes has revealed to the Indianapolis Star that the team has turned down an offer to join the Champ Car World Series next season, and will focus solely on its IRL program in 2006.
"Absolutely not," Barnes answered when asked if Panther would branch into Champ Car in ‘06.
What did emerge from the recent Champ Car/Panther talks was an agreement for the IndyCar regulars to run Indianapolis 500-only programs for CCWS teams. Newman/Haas was the only Champ Car team to attempt an Indy one-off this year, with no collaboration from any IRL outfit.
Barnes also admitted that Panther is still aiming to convince Chevy to keep on badging its Cosworth engines next season, but conceded the squad could switch to Honda power if GM cannot be persuaded.
http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/indycar/18425/
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Dewy9
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Jul 25 2005, 04:24 PM
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Yay!
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