Champ Car eyes Middle East

UPDATE #3 Paul Tracy believes Champ Car needs to continue its international focus – "rumors are we've got a new race lined up in Bahrain" – but maintain a strong presence in the United States, perhaps even through a merger, finally and after years of negotiations, with the Indy Racing League.

"I think we need to have as many American races as we can .. we can't abandon races in the States because we're struggling for sponsorship there," he said. "We've got to keep our core fan base." TSN.ca

10/14/07 Robin Miller reported on The SPEED Report Sunday night that Kevin Kalkhoven is in Europe this week trying to negotiate a deal for a race in Dubai. He will be in Dubai next weekend before flying back to California for the JDS Uniphase trial that begins the 23rd.

09/28/07 A reader asks, Dear AutoRacing1.com, You mention two possible races in Germany next year. Two? Is that possible. Dan Duffel

Dear Dan, Nurburgring is pretty definite according to what we heard a month ago. Not sure of the other venue in Germany. We do know that either Monza (with the FIA-GT series) or Imola are being tossed around in Italy, a race in Spain, we've heard Brands Hatch and Donington Park in the UK and a street race in Greece are all possibilities….and of course Dubai if they decide to try their hand at the Middle East. Mark C.

09/27/07 Rumor has it that Champ Car is trying to line up a new race in the Middle East for 2008, most likely in Dubai. We also hear that they are eyeing two possible new races in Germany, one in Greece, Italy, South Korea, Japan and of course China. Which ones come through remains to be seen.