Forsythe are out.

“Forsythe Championship Racing is announcing today the cessation of its racing operations. After 13 years of competition in CART and the Champ Car World Series, the team has been unable to secure the necessary sponsorship to be able to compete in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series in 2008. Forsythe Racing Inc., the parent company of FCR, will participate in the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the Champ Car finale, with drivers to be announced.”

http://www.paddocktalk.com/news/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=77939

“I want to be part of this new league, I want to run at Indianapolis again and I want to stay in open wheel racing,” said Tracy...

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-tracy-out-in-the-market/

A great shame.

Have to say I am surprised that he's pulled the plug.

But perhaps even the golden handshake from Tony wasn't enough to get by. Probably doesn't think it's worth funding his team again for another season now that ChampCar is officially finished.

I remember a statement from someone years ago that stuck with me, "Forsythe would torch his cars and everything rather go to the irl". I also heard a rumor Forsythe goes out of his way to avoid doing business with banks and other business that do such with the hulman george family.

I'm not surprised he's gone. It's unfortunate for those now affected by the decision.

That's a shame I would think not having to run a series and finance it would allow Forthsye to be more competitive.

So where's Paul Tracy going to end up? What realistic open seats are there for him.

Seems very Gerry Forsythe this. Ta ra then.

So, what of PT? A shame for him to lose out as an upshot of this stupid, snap decision. I mean, I know I said PT should perhaps retire, but the guy had a contract to race!

Back to Penske! ;)

Or maybe 'Team Green'.

Or NASCAR again probably.

NASCAR, no way. He can't do it. He wants to remain in Indycar anyways.

Maybe he can replace Milka Duno.

perhaps even the golden handshake from Tony wasn't enough to get by.Yes, seems the bitter blood runs much deeper. I can't say I would do anything differently.

Hopefully he takes care of those involved in his organization. I am sure PT will find a ride. There are still open seats and he has more skills than half the drivers out there. Plus he has the most oval experience of all the CC boys and girls.

I'm sure he'll find something. Maybe not for a whole season.

They could return in 2009, it seems.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/65369

You can only burn so many bridges in life - Gerry never understood that.

I feel for the Forsythe Racing employees and its management, but I for one will not miss meeting Gerry at the paddock. May he have a good life elsewhere.

They're still doing Atlantics with Hinchcliffe and Garza.

http://www.champcaratlantic.com/News/Article.asp?ID=3302

maybe PT will drive sportscars...anyone?? tho he seems like he wants to stick it out in OWs.

PT is a big loss - but so is Montagny, who was seemingly the favourite for the second seat.

Hopefully they can both score rides somewhere...

Someone, even Tony George will see the value in having PT in the first year of this. I can certainly see him getting a ride in Indy.
Long term, I hope he goes to the ALMS. He can join others like Herta and deFerran from open-wheel.

TG mentioned and thanked Gerry in the press conference, stating that it would not have been possible with out KK and Gerry.
So in that respect, it was a bit surprising.

Unless their is that much bad blood with the speedway, there is no reason he can`t return when a new formula comes around...it will be easier to get sponsors by then....one would hope.

“Neil said he’d been trying to get a hold of my manager but he was having a colonoscopy today. That’s ironic ‘cause that’s what I feel like I got.”
- Paul Tracy
Bummer! I certainly hope PT can find a competitive ride as he would have been a force on the Ovals for sure.

They're still doing Atlantics with Hinchcliffe and Garza.

http://www.champcaratlantic.com/News/Article.asp?ID=3302

I'm not sure this still holds water - and, in fact, I think it does not.

http://www.forsythe-racing.com/?PageID=35&NewsID=209

Well, I am not sure I buy into the "can't find sponsorship on short notice" reasoning, as he couldn't seem to find sponsorship for his team post-Players.

Despite assurances from folks that GF would turn to arson before turning to the IRL, it seems clear that GF was less than interested in racing this past season based on his general invisibleness at the races.

The folks I feel bad for are the members of the team itself as they have pretty much jerked around with cutbacks and additions and then the Big Sayonara.

You all may know I am not what you would call a PT fan, but you have to feel for the guy: GF gives the big contract, asks to renegotiate it, then before that happens they kiss and make up, then he tells him to get a seat then tells him not to and now he has no ride at all.

Nice to see how a "real" businessman reacts to things...

“Neil said he’d been trying to get a hold of my manager but he was having a colonoscopy today. That’s ironic ‘cause that’s what I feel like I got.”
- Paul Tracy
Bummer! I certainly hope PT can find a competitive ride as he would have been a force on the Ovals for sure.


e-a, not sure you intended it but the use of the colonoscopy quote and referring to the situation as a "bummer" is the sort of subtlety I appreciate...

the reason seems sus but it's a shame to lose them. the only down side to this merger is some will have to missout.

Oh it was absolutely intended John ;)

Lets hope PT does find a ride with one of the other champcar teams or even replace of the the not so good drivers at 1 of the indy teams,My brother is shattered about the news about Forsythe pulling out of the series and having PT missing from the series(PT is his favourite driver since we starting watching indy\champcar.).

PKV still needs to sign a 2nd driver I believe. PT would be a good fit there, although I think Tag (who has oval experience) is in the running for that seat as well.

Maybe Tony George will fund a car for PT.

Weren't Servia and Tagliani both confirmed for PKV?

Forsythe lost what? 50 million on CART stock.
Lost how many tens of millions in the process of being a partner and buying CCWS and subsequently running Forsythe Racing from his own pocket from 2004 onward.

Forsythe, back when CART (circa 2000 or 01) was trying to figure out their future engine formula and considered going to a naturally aspired engine (rumor was to try and make a merger easier with IRL) was one of the VERY loud proponents for turbo engines and avoiding any type of IRL type specs.

Forsythe is not going Indycar racing because he lacks sponsors, that is the front story.
IMO Forsythe is not going Indycar racing because of his dislike of TG and the whole IRL formula and concept.

Forsythe has enough cash to run his race team from his own bank account with ZERO sponsors for as long as he likes.

IMO for Forsythe not going to Indycar is PERSONAL not business.

It doesn't really matter what his reasons are. They are his. The way in which all this has happened is a reflection of the whole merger situation.

GF would have stayed in Champcar, even though he was coming to a place of reluctance to keep funding it.
He has issues with TG.
He probably would have stayed and at least stayed till he had played out the contracts (2010?) had he not had to fund it from his own pocket...
But he had to make the decision and his heart wasn't in it.

That doesn't surprise me. While he has dumped his team in it (and remember it has just come to a head in the last two weeks) he has probably been quite honest with himself in the sense that he doesn't 'really want to do this' (be in the IRL)....

I think both partners were looking at the future and there were probably a multitude of hurdles to jump and very few assists likely in the next two years.
If one said I'm out the other would have had to follow so was Gerry the reluctant co-signee...?
he didn't want to go IRL on his money so decided he would only stay if he had some sponsorship. He didn't like the probabilities and made a decision.
Thats life.
He made a decision. A sad one for lots of people but it was his to make not ours. Move on.

..IMO for Forsythe not going to Indycar is PERSONAL not business.

I tend to agree; and, for once agreeing with mountainstar, I really feel for the team staff; I hope they can find a new job in some IRL team.

And about PT... it's funny that the same fellow who some yrs ago said "never on those cr@pwagons" now desires so much to drive one of them ;)

PAUL TRACY TO FOYT?

Italiaracing .net (the english version not available yet)

http://italiaracing.net/notizia.asp?id=18162&cat=3

report that Paul Tracy is lokely to go to Foyt, after Forsyte decided to retire, to line up with Manning, not to replace him.

Provided I don't know how an unfunded outfit like Foyt can find the money to pay PT's wage, I'm bound to be happy about it.

It's a shame Forsythe will stop racing in ChampCar/ IRL.

What I don't understand: Forsythe has been a topteam since it started in CART. Lot's of funds.
During the 2004 season Player's stopped the sponsorship deal.
Then why o why was a top team like players not able to find any new sponsorship in 3 years time?? What's wrong there?
Also they know long before that Player's sponsorship was coming to an end. So I would say that even for the past 4 years they haven't managed to do any new sponsorship deals.

That doesn't surprise me. While he has dumped his team in it (and remember it has just come to a head in the last two weeks) he has probably been quite honest with himself in the sense that he doesn't 'really want to do this' (be in the IRL)....


I'm sure his (ex) employees found his honesty refreshing.

And about PT... it's funny that the same fellow who some yrs ago said "never on those cr@pwagons" now desires so much to drive one of them ;)

He's already driven one of the crapwagons ;) in the Indy 500, so that's a little been there, done that.

I think his point was he would not move to the IRL whilst the alternative existed more than being car specific.

He's already driven one of the crapwagons ;) in the Indy 500, so that's a little been there, done that.

From what I remember, he told that after driving at Indy, but nevermind ;)

It's a great shame to see the team folded, as it always put competitive cars out. However, you can understand Gerry's reasoning for this. He's a very rich man, but motorsport took up a lot of his time and effort - the value of running ChampCar cars was increased by the importance of having extra cars in a series he co-owned and loved. Old grievances with George haven't been settled, and after years of sponsorless running he must feel this is the right time to fold, ratehr than putting in the time and effort to learn new cars. Hopefully someone can buy the bones of the operation and put it on track by the 500.

Forsythe lost what? 50 million on CART stock.
Lost how many tens of millions in the process of being a partner and buying CCWS and subsequently running Forsythe Racing from his own pocket from 2004 onward.

Forsythe, back when CART (circa 2000 or 01) was trying to figure out their future engine formula and considered going to a naturally aspired engine (rumor was to try and make a merger easier with IRL) was one of the VERY loud proponents for turbo engines and avoiding any type of IRL type specs.

Forsythe is not going Indycar racing because he lacks sponsors, that is the front story.
IMO Forsythe is not going Indycar racing because of his dislike of TG and the whole IRL formula and concept.

Forsythe has enough cash to run his race team from his own bank account with ZERO sponsors for as long as he likes.

IMO for Forsythe not going to Indycar is PERSONAL not business.

You're very much correct. Forsythe has spent somewhere in the region of $250 million the last few years, and he certainly doesn't lack the cash to fund the team by himself (as he's done pretty much since Player's dropped out). And you don't go from having budget for two or three cars with two paid pro drivers in Champ Car for 2008 to not having budget for even one car in IRL. I see Forsythe will run three cars at Long Beach, and perhaps more. I think he'll certainly need to do that - why wouldn't as many Champ Car teams go to Motegi as possible?

fair play to gerry i wouldnt work for the earl either

This would not be the first time Forsythe reduced his involvement in the sport.

Looking at the business or personal reasons why he quit has merit but I suspect a lot of it was that he wasn't having fun anymore.

Well maybe he should have got to some races in 2007 to re-energise his passion for the sport (I assume he has some).

PAUL TRACY TO FOYT?


Provided I don't know how an unfunded outfit like Foyt can find the money to pay PT's wage, I'm bound to be happy about it.


Doesn't PT have some sponsorship from monster energy drink? Maybe they'll foot some of the bill?

Good grief: I posted PT to Foyt that under another name yesterday on another forum as a joke and it was taken as such. Can anyone see ol' AJ and PT not coming to blows?

he wasn't having fun anymore.

In amongst debate over Tony George and personal funding and business interests and trying to get up to speed, this is surely the crux of it. Running a decent merged-series team will take a lot of effort for ChampCar teams, and a lot of pride-swallowing for OWRS people. Gerry has interests elsewhere, so is it worth him carrying on with this one? Although I'm disappointed, especially if Tracy and Montagny both miss out, I can understand the decision.

Not having fun is an acceptable excuse in ordinary circumstances, but on the eve of a new season? If he wasn't having fun, why has it taken him until March to figure this out?

Don't fool yourselves, if Champcar was still going there'd be none of this.

A lot of it will go back to the race Paul Tracy was 'robbed' of ....

Gerry doesn't trust Tony, nor does he wanrt to have to much to do with his series.
He ran his team in champ car as long as it was necssary to keep his interests afloat but he will not do it for TG......
Maybe he will keep the Atlantic team going. we'll have wait and see.

It has been confirmed that the Atlantic team will still run as planned.

Its always a shame to see a team pack up but i have to say i am more upset about Montagny missing out than anything else, do you guys think he has any chance of getting a test with someone else? I assume he made a bit of an impression when he was topping the times a few weeks back.

...or you could view it as a sort of hissy fit because he was planning to use his share of the $100 million "payment" from TG (that they did not get) to fund his racing operation.

Personally, I think GF is ticked off as he realizes that time and time again he backed the wrong horse:

Purchases an enormous amount of CART stock.
Continued to purchase it even after it was worthless.
Did nothing to replace Players.
Made an arse out of himself on the telly decrying the reasons for the loss of Players, thus becoming product spokesman of the year.
Purchased CART at bankruptcy.
Funded his and other teams in the face of (surprise) lack of sponsor interest.

Was the PT "loss" at Indy a factor? I am sure it is/was. I just don't think it is as far up the flagpole as one might think.

Don't fool yourselves, if Champcar was still going there'd be none of this.

And that is precisely why he hasn't joined the circus in the 'merged' IRL...

Better off cutting his losses and finding something else to do. It's a shame he feels that way, and I feel sorry for his employees, but there are obviously many personal reasons as to why he doesn't want to participate.

well there is the ALMS ....

This makes me real sad, but I can't blame the guy. Maybe if the merger was under different circumstances they would have stayed.

Forsythe is running James Hinchcliffe and David Garza at the Atlantic open test at Laguna Seca today and tomorrow.