Pacific Coast eyeing Champ Car Atlantic return with Dalziel?

UPDATE #2 This rumor is downgraded to 'false' on today's announcement that PCM is moving up to the Daytona Prototype class in Grand-Am. See Hot News page for announcement. This is yet another team that ALMS has lost to Grand-Am (they ran Corvettes in ALMS earlier this year.) The divide and conquer strategy is working perfectly in sports cars too. 09/01/05 In the wake of Pacific Coast Motorsports (“PCM") decision to withdraw immediately from the 2005 American Le Mans Series (“ALMS"), Ryan Dalziel, who drove for the Oxnard-based squad, has stated his full support of the team’s decision to pull-out of the championship with three events remaining.

Recruited by PCM at the start of the season, Dalziel piloted the team’s GT1 #5 Menards-Yokohama Corvette C5-R with former Toyota Atlantic rival Alex Figge, the best result of the season coming at Portland in July with a third place class finish.

With the news that PCM are to terminate their ALMS program with immediate effect Ryan commented: “I fully support PCM’s decision to stop racing in the ALMS. In short, for a team that’s used to winning races and championships it’s difficult to enter a new series and compete as an independent outfit against teams enjoying full manufacturer support. That said I think the team did an awesome job with the equipment at their disposal but the bottom line is the whole crew’s better than our actual results show. We gave it everything and we came close to adding a second podium last time out at Road America."

Reflecting on his time with the team and his options for the remainder of the season and beyond, the 23-year-old Scot said:

“I’ve had a great time racing with PCM and I really have to thank Tom Figge and Tyler Tadevic for giving me the opportunity to compete for them this season. I’m still busy despite no longer racing in the ALMS. I have my commitments with PKV Racing in the Champ Car World Series and I can confirm I’ll be competing in the final three Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series events with SAMAX Racing.

“Landing a Champ Car ride is still my priority for 2006 but I’m pleased to say PCM have offered me a seat with the team wherever they choose to compete next season. It’s a strong option to have subject to any open-wheel opportunities that might come my way. I enjoy a great relationship with the team and would be proud to race with them again."

09/01/05 With the announcement today (see Hot News page) that Pacific Coast Racing has withdrawn from the ALMS comes speculation that they might be eyeing a return to the Champ Car Atlantic Series in 2006 (they had much success in the Atlantic Series and should have never left) and the lucrative $2 million pot of gold to the champion, or a possible entry into Champ Car.