Derrick Walker today confirmed the
formation of Walker Racing L.L.C., which has acquired the
property of and intellectual rights to Reynard North America,
and has become the exclusive supplier of Reynard parts to the
CART FedEx Championship Series for 2003 and beyond.
In the new agreement, Walker Racing L.L.C. is continuing to
supply parts to each of the competitors that run Reynards in
the CART Champ Car series, while ensuring further development
of the chassis and related parts.
"We completed the sale two weeks ago and started trading and
selling the parts to the teams that are running Reynards,"
Walker said. "The first major parts that have been developed
were on some of the cars last weekend at Chicago. The basic
platform of the Reynard is a good one and we realize that CART
needs another strong manufacturer in the series. We feel that
we can fill that need."
The owner of the team that currently campaigns the #5
Pioneer/Denso Toyota/Reynard/Bridgestone of Tora Takagi,
Walker also bought the cache of developmental tools for the
Reynards, including the jigs, molds and fixtures that are
needed to build and develop parts for the cars in the areas
where the rules allow.
He has also enlisted the aid of a cadre of former Reynard
Motorsports engineers to help in the development not only of
pieces for the current cars, but also for what Walker hopes
will be a brand-new car for the new CART rules of 2005. His
effort is aided by the chassis freeze that was enacted by CART
for the next season, which not only keeps the Reynards on the
track for the next two years, it also gives Walker the time to
develop an entirely new piece for the 2005 rules.
"Adrian Reynard was a big help in getting through, what for
him was a difficult situation I'm sure," Walker said. "This
could not have happened, so I owe him and thank him for his
support."
Reynard cars have been among the minority this season in the
CART series with three teams currently running the chassis,
but Walker believes that the new engine rules for 2003-04 will
level the playing field - and perhaps tip it a bit more in
favor of the Reynards.
"A future reduction in horsepower for 2003 will, in certain
conditions, help make the Reynard cars possibly more
competitive," Walker said. "So consideration for the new teams
joining CART to look at the Reynard car makes a lot of sense.
It's a simpler, more reliable and cheaper competitive option.
We bought a company that was in bankruptcy so we didn't have
the overhead costs to deal with," Walker said. "I believe that
this will allow us to offer a competitive package to teams
that might be considering joining the series, but are worried
about costs."
AutoRacing1 is an independent internet online publication and is not
affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by CART Inc.,
NASCAR, FIA, FedEx, Winston, or any other
series sponsor. This material may not be published, broadcast,
or redistributed without permission. User
agreement & disclaimer
Ricardo González
News and Commentary
