American F1 team in the works?
Chris James headed a group that had negotiated for Arrows F1 until it got to the due diligence and they determined they didn’t like the Arrows books and backed out subsequently funding the American Spirit Champ Car Team that fielded Jimmy Vasser and Ryan Hunter-Reay in 2003. Amazingly, for a team that was put together overnight and fielded Reynards, the team ended their rookie season with a record similar to RuSPORT’s first year, several well earned podiums –including a win-, a front row start, fast race time, etc.
It is our understanding that Chris James and Dan Benton have gone their separate ways. We contacted someone in the Ryan Hunter-Reay camp who advised that while both gentlemen remain steadfast supporters of Ryan they were adamant that neither Messers. James or Benton are in any way connected to the current rumored American F1 Team and Ryan’s focus was on securing a competitive Champ Car seat for 2006. Mark C.
09/04/05 From the pure speculation department comes word that a USA-based Formula One team is in the works. No relationship to Red Bull or the recent effort by Phil Hill and Dan Gurney. The agency of record is not ready to release their name yet. Supposedly we would know them very well. We are told this is a fresh team with younger principals in their 40's. They looked into buying a team, but opted to start fresh.
Word is that some major key people are in place from USA racing circles and F1 racing circles. The manufacturing facilities will be located on US soil. The team will employ at least one American driver. A race and logistics shop will be used in Europe, but all will be USA owned. Their plan is to build USAF1 into a major brand.
The principals asked that we make mention of this. They are fed up hearing about the so-called USA team from Red Bull, which they feel is just PR BS.
A search on USAF1.com shows no website up but the domain is owned by RDCMeda, which is a web hosting/design firm, so that gives us no clue.