All systems go for Champ Car’s first standing start

It was Sebastien Bourdais, during last month's test session at PIR, who said Champ Car's plan to use a Formula One-type standing start in Portland was foolish because there was a danger of cars stalling on the grid.

Tony Cotman said thanks for the advice, but the first standing start in series history still will take place Sunday.

"I wouldn't say that every driver is 100 percent in favor of it," he said. "They probably have the same concerns I do. I wouldn't want to have standing starts if we weren't ready for it. We don't want to leave half the grid behind from the starting line. . . . But I think we're in a position now where we can go ahead and do it."

Formula One cars have traction control, and the Panoz DP01s of Champ Car certainly do not, so Cotman points out that the success or failure of the standing start depends on the individual abilities of the drivers — many of whom raced in Europe and are quite familiar with the procedure.

And yes, Cotman acknowledged, someone might stall.

"Oh well, it even happens in Formula One, doesn't it?" he said. "Is this going to eliminate first-turn accidents? Probably not. But the cars will arrive at the first turn at a slightly slower speed."

Which means less chance of accidents, or an incident that requires Cotman to put on his judge and jury cap. Oregonian