Swedish ace eyes Champ Car

UPDATE #4 2003 F3000 Champion took part in Friday testing for the Jaguar Racing squad this year and remains under contract to the team until the end of the season. With the team on the market, Wirdheim is waiting to see if the team will compete in 2005 under a new name and management. “We’re looking at different alternatives and what feels most important for me at this moment in time is to race next year," the Swede told Jaguar Racing. "First of all though I’m going to wait and see what happens with Jaguar and then after that, when I know if there’s an opportunity, I’ll look into what other series there are and make a decision." Should Wirdheim be unable to compete in Formula One next season, then a seat in the Champ Car World Series becomes the focus. Jaguar Racing 11/02/04 Wirdheim is rumored to be testing for PKV on November 14-15, 2004. We suspect we will hear that he will be joining the team by then, or soon thereafter. 10/28/04 According to this Swedish website article, Bjorn has a two-year deal to drive in Champ Car, supposedly with PKV Racing. His father is quoted in the article that he feels there are no good seats left in F1 and it's better to do Champ Car. If he wins in Champ Car perhaps something will open up for him in F1 in three years. 10/26/04 It appears this rumor is close to going to 'fact.' Swedish radio just reported that Bjorn Wirdheim is set for Champ Car next year. A team was not announced but he has a test set with PKV in mid-November and we hear Jim McGee thinks a lot of him. McGee is rumored to be the new team manager for PKV next year. If you recall, Wirdheim dominated F3000 two years ago. The kid is top-shelf material. We have updated our 2005 Champ Car Silly Season page above. 09/26/04 Our sources close to Swedish ex-F3000 champion Björn Wirdheim are saying that Tony Purnell is negotiating with Red Bull to buy Jaguar. That means that if they can agree, Björns chances of a race position in F1 are microscopic at best. Tony Purnell has a "keen eye" on Anthony Davidson and Red Bull is pushing for Vitantonio Liuzzi. Björn could possible continue as test driver, but we don't believe he will buy that. PKV´s owner Kevin Kalkhoven will possibly buy Cosworth from Ford to secure engines for Champ Car. According to these sources, Kalkhoven wants to team Björn together with Jimmy Vasser or some other driver, that other driver is currently Roberto Gonzalez. We hear that the Wirdheims think F1 is big, but not everything. Mark C.