Tagliani all set for 2005

UPDATE #6 This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today with the announcement that Tagliani will drive for Walker Racing in 2005. See Hot News page We have also updated our 2005 Silly Season Page. . 03/18/05 A deal that would pair Toronto's Paul Tracy and Montreal's Alex Tagliani at Forsythe Championship Racing in the Champ Car World Series is in the works, the Toronto Sun has been told. Tagliani was dumped by Rocketsports Racing owner Paul Gentilozzi a week ago after the team failed to renew several sponsorship agreements. There had been some speculation that Tagliani could end up at HVM Racing or Walker Racing – both second-tier teams – but the news yesterday about a possible return to Forsythe was welcomed by the 32-year-old veteran. "I would like to be with Forsythe," Tagliani was quoted as saying by Speed TV. Tagliani had spent three years with the team along with fellow Quebecer Patrick Carpentier, but was let go after Player's – then a partner in the team with Forsythe – hired Tracy after the 2002 season. But yesterday Tagliani was jumping for joy at the prospect of going back to his old team. "They always have a hell of a car," Tagliani said. "If there's even a slight chance for me to go there, I'll take it and be grateful for the rest of my life." 03/17/05 Paul Gentilozzi sets the record straight on Alex Tagliani in this RSN.ca article. 03/16/05 Alex Tagliani would love to be back at Forsythe Racing. He was quoted in this week's Autosport Magazine – "I would like to be with Forsythe," said Alex Tagliani, "They always have a hell of a car. If there is even a slight chance for me to go there, I will take it, and be thankful for the rest of my life!" 03/15/05 As reported here first – It seems that Alex Tagliani will have a team to race for after all. Molson Sports and Entertainment CEO Jo-Ann McArthur told the Toronto Sun Tuesday that the Lachenaie, Quebec native will have a new Champ Car World Series team to race for by the end of the week. "(Molson) has been assured that Tags will be racing in Champ Car this season," McArthur told the paper. "I don't know what team it is but I do know that he has a ride." McArthur added that Molson Breweries pressured Champ Car officials to have him on the 2005 grid and that an announcement will be made in the coming days. On Monday, the Sun reported that Tagliani was let go by Rocketsports Racing, contradicting an apparent verbal agreement made at the end of last season with team owner Paul Gentilozzi. The beer giant sponsors the Toronto Molson Indy and the Molson Indy Montreal and didn't want to see Tagliani gone, especially after Patrick Carpentier bolted for the Indy Racing League. TSN.ca 03/14/05 This SPEED TV article says Tagliani can end up at Walker Racing. He's waiting to hear. This will surprise us because it's thought Mario Haberfeld will be at Walker with an Australian driver, possibly Marcus Marshall or David Besnard who did so well in his only start to date – Australia, 2004. 03/13/05 AutoRacing1.com has learned from an inside source at Champ Car that Canadian Alex Tagliani will absolutely have a Champ Car ride in 2005, so Canadian fans can stop worrying. We expect an announcement on Tagliani soon. Mark C.