Derrick Walker, Urgestein, seit 40 Jahren im Rennsport, der Teams in allen möglichen Kategorien hat wie auch bei den Champ Car Atlantics, verkündete am Freitag als erstes ehemaliges Champ Car Team, dass sie den Zusammenschluss sehr begrüssen und in die IRL wechseln werden. Eines muss man den Jungs und Mädels bei Walker Racing lassen: dort stimmt die Pressearbeit
Von Derrick Walker war es bereits bekannt, spätestens als er die Springs Tests in Sebring ausliess, war sich jeder im klaren darüber, dass er wechseln würde.
Jetzt stehen sie vor der Aufgabe, das für sie unbekannte Dallara Chassis und den komplett anderen Motor (ein Sauger, kein Turbolader) kennenzulernen und mit dem Auto schnell auf Touren zu kommen. Sie haben bereits 2 Dallaras im Vorfeld bekommen um zu lernen, insbesondere die komplett andere Technik, was für die Mechaniker enorm wichtig ist. Die ersten Tests werden in Homestead stattfinden - genau dort, wo damals auch die Champ Cars unter der Flagge von CART noch ihre Springtests abgehalten haben. Zumindest findet man hier in Homestead wieder ein wenig "back to the roots" vor.
hier die Mitteilung im exakten Wortlaut:
For Immediate Release
WALKER RACING EMBRACES OPEN WHEEL UNIFICATION
Indianapolis, IN (February 22, 2008)- Today finally marks the end to the 12 year battle between the Champ Car World Series and IndyCar Series. The two entities officially split back in 1995, and are finally reuniting. Walker Racing is proud to be a part of the historic unification.
“It’s back to the future,” stated Derrick Walker, Walker Racing owner. “It’s been a long road, but it has finally come together. From a fan and sports business point of view, one open wheel racing series in the United States has long been recognized as what fans and sponsors want to have both series together and I’m happy to say that Walker Racing embraces the decision. I also want to give a special thanks to all the past and present CART/Champ Car officials for all their hard work in giving us some great seasons.”
A veteran to the sport, Walker has over 40 years of racing experience, and 17 of those years have been as a team owner. Walker Racing opened its doors in Indianapolis in 1992 and has been competing in open wheel racing ever since. The team has run the likes of Willy T. Ribbs, Robby Gordon, Gil de Ferran, Scott Goodyear, Christian Fittipaldi, Darren Manning, Sarah Fisher, Alex Tagliani and Will Power.
This won’t be the first time to the IndyCar Series for the Indianapolis based squad. The team ran Sarah Fisher in 2000 and 2001. Walker Racing made history when Fisher became the first woman in the record books in Indy-style racing when she finished second at Homestead. She also went on to earn two top ten finishes.
The path won’t be easy in the beginning, but Walker Racing is ready for the challenge. “It’s going to be a rough old ride, because we don’t have the familiarity with the Dallaras and it’s a more experienced formula, but the bottom line is that it’s great news to put this thing together,” commented Walker.
Walker Racing will hit the pavement March 11-14 in Homestead as they take the Dallara around the 1.5 mile oval and start getting acquainted to a united series. For more info on the team please visit walkerracing.com.