Derrick Walker Interview

[TedN]

The Auto Racing Zone on the Fan590 last Saturday featured an interview with Derrick Walker. If you missed it, you can listen to the audio HERE (http://www.fan590.com/gallery/hotAudio.jsp)

Ted

[racer2c]

Can you hit the highpoints? I'm too lazy to listen to something. :)

[nrc]

- Champ car past surviving and into growth
- sponsors early part of "next week" (presumably meaning this week since the interview was Saturday)
- happy to have Alex. experienced with Lola and can help Marshall
- hands-on owner
- 15th year in Champ car
- learned a lot from working with Ecclestone/Penske
- Started with first African American driver at Indy - Willy T Ribbs
- looks for speed, consistancy and technical knowledge in a driver

Thanks, TedN.

[racer2c]

Man o man. 15 years sure does fly by. I have Willy's autograph from his first season with Walker. Bill Cosby helped finance him. Seems like yesterday.
It's good to hear that owners have faith in the series. Doom and gloom is behind us!

[jonovision_man]

Walker sold!
link (http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=8783)

"Mr Gore and Mr Fish bought a controlling interest in the Indianapolis-based Walker Racing operation and re-launched it as Team Australia."

jono

[jonovision_man]

Better article about the sale:

link (http://www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=3&nid=107468)

[nrc]

So I wonder if Walker's professed sponsorship woes were an effort to get the best deal from the Aussie's or a last ditch effort to avoid selling the team.