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Paul Stoddart
and Kevin Kalkhoven share a laugh in Surfers Saturday
Mark Cipolloni/AutoRacing1.com
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Over the past several months there have been a
series of rumors and statements that former F1 Minardi team boss
Paul Stoddart might start a Champ Car team. Those
discussions are ongoing and Paul Stoddart is here in Surfers
Paradise to not only take in all the happenings, but to also
continue negotiations with Kevin Kalkhoven.
On Saturday AutoRacing1.com caught up with Paul
Stoddart and Kevin Kalkhoven to find out just how serious
Stoddart is about coming into Champ Car. From the sounds
of it he is very serious and it appears that discussions are at
an advanced stage.
It's fair to say I’m looking at the
possibility,” Stoddart said. “At the moment, I’d put the chances
of fielding a Champ Car team next year at 50/50. I’m certainly
interested, and it’s certainly a series and a sport I’d be happy
to be associated with, but the devils is in the details.
Certainly with the introduction of the new car next year it will
be a level playing field for everyone, so it would be the right
time.
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Paul Stoddart watching practice Saturday
Mark Cipolloni/AutoRacing1.com |
“It’s a sensibly budgeted series. They’ve done a
fantastic job with the new Panoz, developing the product and
offering it at a sensible price. I think it’ll generate a lot of
interest and new teams. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few
more familiar names in the series next year.”
"Everyone I talk to, everyone I run into has
been very nice and have made me feel like I would be welcomed
here.
"The racing is very fan friendly and quite
unlike F1 where the days of the independents are over.
There is a big difference in budgets between F1 and Champ Car
and although I don't want to say anything bad about F1, yes
there is a difference in budgets, here a mid-budget team has a
real chance to win races."
Does the international aspect of Champ Car
interest him?
"It always does. For someone who spends
his time at 37,000 feet (in one of his airplanes) international
racing has always interested me."
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Paul Stoddart watching practice Saturday
Mark Cipolloni/AutoRacing1.com |
There has been a question as to whether Stoddart
would start a new team or buy into an existing team.
"It's too early to say whether I would start a
new team or buy into an existing team. We will be looking
at that over the coming months."
Does Paul Stoddart still own the Minardi name?
"Yes, I do still own the Minardi and name yes, I
can use it here if I choose. As far as bringing the
Minardi two-seater program from F1, it is something that would
interest me and we are looking at possibly doing that."
Muermans would be involved
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Paul Stoddart and Kevin Kalkhoven
Mark Cipolloni/AutoRacing1.com |
Stoddart confirmed that businessman and Robert Doornbos
supporter Harry Muermans would be part of his Champ Car deal.
"Not only is he a sponsor, he is a friend and
for sure he will be part of whatever I do. We have had
some pretty fantastic times together."
When asked if that meant Robert Doornbos would
be one of his drivers, Stoddart said, "If you asked Robert that
question he would probably say he still wanted to be an F1
driver, but it's early days and that could change. I have
no doubt he would do a fantastic job here."
Kevin Kalkhoven had very complimentary things to
say about Stoddart, and also let on that he's quite a good
dancer from what he saw at last night's gala ball.
So although Stoddart would not go on record as
saying he was definitely coming into Champ Car, one gets the
distinct impression that there is a very good chance he will,
and rest assured that from his F1 background, he will assemble a
formidable team.
The author can be contacted at
markc@autoracing1.com
