Editorial

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We now know the answer to the question of whether the pressure would get to Sebastien Bourdais, as the 2005 battle for the Champ Car championship wrapped up. Bourdais was obviously wound tight as the weekend began, hoping to dominate both rounds of qualifying and put an exclamation point on his second straight title. Our sources on the ground in Surfers indicated Bourdais was curt with many questioners, after being quizzed repeatedly on the state of his relationship with chief rival Paul Tracy.

Their battle is becoming legendary. We’ve catalogued their many run-ins on the track, dating back to Australia in Seb’s rookie season of 2003, running through their crap-out at Vegas a couple of weeks ago. While in most cases there’s nothing to blame except hard racing and that vibrant rivalry, clearly PT is frustrated that he has not had the speed Bourdais has exhibited at most events this year, and that when he has been fast, he hasn’t been able to close the deal (see: Toronto, Denver, and Vegas, 2005).

For Bourdais’ part, I suspect he feels he hasn’t received his proper due from fans and media given his sterling accomplishments in just three seasons. For whatever reason, be it Gallic indifference or Newman/Haas envy, it appears Sebastien hasn’t yet been as warmly embraced as he might have been. I believe he’s earned the accolades he’s received, even though he drives for Champ Car’s dominant team. Sometimes it takes fans awhile to warm up to big winners and dominant players and I suspect that’s the case for Bourdais’ relationship with the paying spectators. He is gentlemanly and warm to young fans, giving of his time, and comfortable talking in the paddock area. But he is driven, determined, and totally dedicated to his craft, as his results prove conclusively.

Tracy, veteran hand at all this, has probably mastered the PR war between the two. PT is always quotable and there is considerable belief among those who cover Champ Car that Tracy has gotten inside Bourdais’ head. Unfortunately for the Thrill, that advantage hasn’t translated into on-track victories. But the good news for all of us is that it appears Paul will remain with Forsythe Championship Racing for the foreseeable future and that the Tracy-Bourdais battle will continue to rage.

Meanwhile, the question of who else will drive for Newman/Haas should make good off-season fodder. There’s no reason to think Bruno Junqueira will lose his ride, and Oriol Servia has certainly made a compelling case for a third seat at N/H if one is available. There have been rumblings for months that the team would expand but their decision to stick to two cars for Mexico City even though Bruno might well be able could indicate N/H will remain a two-car team at least for now.

Maybe the more intriguing scenario in the next few months will revolve around what happens at PKV Racing. It’s starting to appear that Jimmy Vasser could well step aside after Mexico City, which will be a huge loss for Champ Car. No driver can run forever and Champ Car is surely among the most physically demanding series in the world. But as Jimmy showed us at Surfers by running third he’s still extremely capable, and I submit the Champ Car World Series can benefit greatly for the next season or two if the ’96 champ sticks around awhile yet as a driver. We know he’ll remain a force in the series via his stake in PKV but I for one think he’s got another victory or two in his bag of tricks.

RuSPORT continued its string of strong showings over the weekend as well, with AJ Allmendinger second and Justin Wilson fourth. RuSPORT will work hard over the winter to find the needed speed to climb the next step on the ladder and have at least one of its drivers in contention for the 2006 Champ Car title. Watching them work toward that goal will be a joy next year.

I’m also encouraged by the performances this past weekend of Michael McDowell and Will Power. Power ran in the top ten several times, and McDowell raised the level of performance seen by the Rocketsports 31 team with Ryan Hunter-Reay in the seat. RHR should be a Champ Car star for seasons to come, and it may be merely that the all-elusive team chemistry just never came together for Ryan and Rocketsports. But McDowell will be a star and it’s a coup for Champ Car to have another young American gun in its arsenal. Power made a convincing case for his ascension to Champ Car full time, and it’d be great if Derrick Walker and his partners can find the funding to expand to three cars full-time in ’06.

Next up we head south of the border in a few days to write the final chapter of the 2005 season. It’ll be a huge party with tight points races at stake just about everywhere behind Sebastien Bourdais. For Seb, it’ll be a coronation…one he well deserves.

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