McGee to take role with PKV Racing

UPDATE #2 Top Champ Car chief mechanic Jim McGee is being courted by Kevin Kalkhoven to manage his PKV Racing Champ Car operation. “I like [Jimmy] Vasser and Kalkhoven and if I can get the right driver to complement Jimmy and be competitive then I’d be interested," said McGee, who guided Nigel Mansell to the 1993 CART title with Newman-Haas Racing. Autosport Magazine 10/24/04 We are bumping this rumor up to 'strong' today. According to this SPEED TV article, Those in the know also suggest that PKV Racing is in for a major shake-up, one that will see Jim McGee assume the reins as team manager. McGee is the winningest team manager/crew chief in Champ Car history and most recently oversaw Newman/Haas’ Indy Racing League effort with Bruno Junqueira at Indianapolis 500 in May. Prior to that, McGee spent the past several years working as general manager at Patrick Racing, including a stint when PKV co-owner/driver Jimmy Vasser piloted the team’s car, a fact that gives further credence to the rumors that McGee will be joining the underperforming team in ‘05. 10/11/04 CEO Dick Eidswick was seen dining in Indianapolis with legendary team manager Jim McGee, who is expected to take a management position with Kevin Kalkhoven's PKV Racing organization. McGee was reportedly also asked to provide Champ Car with an independent analysis of the officiating fiasco at Las Vegas that saw the field run 12 slow laps behind the Pace Car while stewards tried to figure out who should be running where. Many observers predict there will be major changes in Champ Car's race operations for 2005. ESPN.com