"The Thrill" Is Back - Temporarily
By Andrew Cutler July 15 2008
Move over, Danica & Helio. Next week you will be sharing the media spotlight with the driver they call "the thrill from West Hill". That's right; Paul Tracy, the 39 year-old Canadian who is nearly always electricfying on-track - and outspoken off-track - will be back at Edmonton.
Move over, Danica & Helio. Next week you will be sharing the media spotlight with the driver they call "the thrill from West Hill". That's right; Paul Tracy, the 39 year-old Canadian who is nearly always electricfying on-track - and outspoken off-track - will be back at Edmonton.
The deal, which will see former CCWS team boss Derrick Walker supplying the crew, Vision Racing supplying the car & Subway Restaurants sponsoring the effort, is currently for the race at Edmonton only: However, all sides have agreed to keep their options open for more races through the remainder of the 2008 season.
Tracy was left on the sidelines after the IRL/CCWS merger in February due to his contractual obligations to Forsythe Racing, a CCWS squad that opted not to join the newly merged series. Derrick Walker was going to join the new series, but the last-minute defection of driver Will Power, along with his Aussie Vinyards sponsorship money, to the KV Racing squad dashed his plans. Now, both men have an opportunity to "audition" for 2009, as it were.
"We are looking forward to working with Vision Racing and Paul Tracy," Walker said. "Walker Racing is building on 2009 and this opportunity with Vision Racing affords us the chance to show that we are still alive and a viable entity. I appreciate that [IRL founder & Vision Racing owner] Tony [George] has provided us with this chance. It's a good opportunity as well to work with Paul. Having raced against him for many years I've always admired him as a very competitive driver. There is no doubt we are all going into this event with our eyes wide open. We just want to execute the best that we can and the results will take care of themselves."
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StumbleuponRe: "The Thrill" Is Back - Temporarily
Posted by: sessions (IP Logged)
Date: 15/07/2008 18:02
Good for us and good for Indy car. I guess the bonus question in the competition could surely be,
WHERE WILL PAUL TRACY FINISH ?
Sessions
WHERE WILL PAUL TRACY FINISH ?
Sessions
Re: "The Thrill" Is Back - Temporarily
Posted by: gturner (IP Logged)
Date: 16/07/2008 02:27
Alternatively, it could be "On what lap will Paul Tracy be on the side of the track throwing punches at Marco Andretti (or road racing "expert" Milka Duno)?"
Seriously, though, this is definitely good for the IRL, and I would hope that this leads to at least a apartial schedule for PT in 2009.
"Speed has never killed anyone, suddenly becoming stationary... That's what gets you."-Jeremy Clarkson
Seriously, though, this is definitely good for the IRL, and I would hope that this leads to at least a apartial schedule for PT in 2009.
"Speed has never killed anyone, suddenly becoming stationary... That's what gets you."-Jeremy Clarkson
Re: "The Thrill" Is Back - Temporarily
Posted by: TheContrarian (IP Logged)
Date: 04/08/2008 01:58
Was great to see him back in a car last week! Glad he was able to hang on til the end and run competitively all day. He should be in the car the rest of this year all of next running like that.
Re: "The Thrill" Is Back - Temporarily
Posted by: JordanBoy (IP Logged)
Date: 07/08/2008 10:09
Yes it was good having PT back even it was only for 1 race,have to admit he did a great job to finish 5th,i wouldnt mind seeing him getting a fulltime gig again next year,maybe even with my team,newman-haas-langian racing.
Re: "The Thrill" Is Back - Temporarily
Posted by: sessions (IP Logged)
Date: 08/08/2008 15:03
Now that Tony has opted to stay @ AGR maybe PT may get an invite to go racing for Gnassi. Anyone know what Chip thinks of Paul ?
Also, what has Wheldon done, or not done to be on his way out of the Gnassi camp ?
Sessions
Also, what has Wheldon done, or not done to be on his way out of the Gnassi camp ?
Sessions
Re: "The Thrill" Is Back - Temporarily
Posted by: IndyAndy (IP Logged)
Date: 08/08/2008 17:36
That is the great question in all of this little drama, sessions.
IMO, TK & Wheldon are both top-line drivers, so there wouldn't have been a performance "upgrade" for Ganassi. Therefore, I can only assume that Chip & Dan are not getting along too well - or maybe TK was willing to work for less than Dan, who reportedly makes $3 mil per year.
I also don't know who contacted the other person first; Chip or TK. Now that this situation has come to light, I can't wait to see if Dan keeps his seat, or if Chip keeps looking about for someone else.
I don't know what Chip thinks of Paul, but that would be an interesting opportunity for both of them. However, after years of clearly being the top guy at Forsythe, I wonder if he would be willing to be an "equal" teammate with Dixie.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:08:08:17:40:11 by IndyAndy.
IMO, TK & Wheldon are both top-line drivers, so there wouldn't have been a performance "upgrade" for Ganassi. Therefore, I can only assume that Chip & Dan are not getting along too well - or maybe TK was willing to work for less than Dan, who reportedly makes $3 mil per year.
I also don't know who contacted the other person first; Chip or TK. Now that this situation has come to light, I can't wait to see if Dan keeps his seat, or if Chip keeps looking about for someone else.
I don't know what Chip thinks of Paul, but that would be an interesting opportunity for both of them. However, after years of clearly being the top guy at Forsythe, I wonder if he would be willing to be an "equal" teammate with Dixie.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:08:08:17:40:11 by IndyAndy.
Re: "The Thrill" Is Back - Temporarily
Posted by: sessions (IP Logged)
Date: 09/08/2008 16:34
At this point in time Paul isn't in the prime of his career and to maybe nail down something as good as Gnassi would offer a great closing stint to his years behind the wheel. Maybe swallow a little pride and go for the gusto.(the racing)
As the title says,"The Trill" Is Back-Even it's Temporarily !
Sessions
As the title says,"The Trill" Is Back-Even it's Temporarily !
Sessions
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