2005 Cooper Series Silly Season

[FCYTravis]

Now that the 2004 season is in the books, I figured I'd start the obligatory "What's up for 2005" thread...

Who's driving on what tracks with what teams? [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Jason Aranha]

Hey, I want to drive any takers?

[GR]

Jason,

I sent you an email. Check it out.

[phil wills]

I think zetec is a great series does any one have any ideas of what teams and drivers are looking to race in 05.I hear 1st race is atlanta?

phil/uk

[racecr]

Has any one placed a actual order for a 2005 zetec? I have heard the cars have many updates and do the prep shops have spares for the new series.march really is not that far off. also what did you guys send for a deposit and when are they coming in..

[FCYTravis]

There are at least 15 orders for the Van Diemen RF05 out of a total of 30 chassis planned to be built for the American market.

As for who has them and who doesn't, I don't know at this point. I've also not heard anything definitive from any teams regarding their 2005 plans - I know we'd love to run a Zetec or two but have not yet finalized sponsorship and driver arrangements.

[size="1"][ November 12, 2004, 12:29 AM: Message edited by: FCYTravis ][/size]

[racecr]

Does any body know somebody that has sent a deposits? i do not what to end up the spec car.the only one on the grid with a new ride

[andyllc]

All of the suspension and wings should fit from the older cars to the newer cars. I believe it is still against the rules for them to make any major changes to the car (ie suspension geometry). So as far as parts go, you should be fine.

[Matt M.]

I've heard some of the new changes.....
[*]Jabroc tray included[*]New front flaps like the mazda has [*]New single reservoir for brake master[*]New clutch slave with REAL seals - not o-rings![*]same uprights front to back - just being left and right now

A few other minor things - but its the same basic car as the last few years....

Last I heard there were several deposits

Prelim Schedule is out today - I'm sure Al will post the real deal when its final..... But Sebring is out - Atlanta on tax day is the first race - then Mid-O - Cleveland w/champcar - then Lime Rock in July with ALMS.... Then Road America - then back to Atlanta.... 7-8 weekends with one TBA in June right now...

And Oh yea.... I have a new signature! Damn I'm gettin' old...

[size="1"][ November 12, 2004, 02:37 PM: Message edited by: Matt M. ][/size]

[98Vandiemen]

I am sad to see sebring off the list, I was really looking forward to it. On the other hand, its nice to Limerock back on the schedule, hopefully they can keep it on the schedule this year.

[John Church]

JDC MotorSports has 3 seats available for 2005! Interested parties please contact John Church at jdcmtrsprt@aol.com or at 612-963-3352.

John Church
JDC MotorSports
www.jdcmotorsports.com

[FCYTravis]

GP Motorsports, the 2004 American Continental Championship-winning team, also has seats available for the 2005 Cooper Tires Championship Series and the 2005 Pacific F2000 Series.

We offer competitive rates, driver coaching and a professional media relations team - all working together to make your season a success and your dreams a reality.

Call Greg Pizzo at (408) 832-3114, e-mail greg@gpsports-eng.com or visit our newly revamped Web site - www.gpsports-eng.com - to find out how you can join a team on the move!

[Lee Racing 8]

Why is Sebring gone??

[Mark H]

Glad to see the big boys will return to the Petit weekend at RA.

[ccambern]

The TBA is in June? I'd think July or August, since ALMS Lime Rock is July 2-4 and RA is Aug. 26-28. I'm not sure if there are any other major East Coast road races in June or July...

[Purple Frog]

Think big. Maybe they can get Bernie to let them play with the Indy F1.

[Matt M.]

No.... Think "boot" - as in the former F1 track...... But nothing is final...

[ccambern]

"Boot"? I'm lost... The GP would be awesome, but from what I've heard, that would take a miracle.

[Purple Frog]

clue; "the boot" is in upstate NY. Some believe it was the only great USGP track. Great place to burn large buses as I remember.

[Lee Racing 8]

Why no SEBRING?? Are Wilson and all the young guys returning?

[Purple Frog]

Jay Howard plans to teach them all how to stand on the top step.

[Mark H]

But they don't run the boot during the BUD at the Glen weekend? Could Little E be planing to do a one off Z-Tech race if the F2000 runs with NAZCAR? [img]tongue.gif[/img] The last road corse he ran he was smokin. [img]graemlins/skull.gif[/img]

[GR]

Tx for the chuckle Mark

[Lee Racing 8]

*WHY NO SEBRING?*

[GR]

We're ignoring you..........

[Lee Racing 8]

That's not cool...seriously.

[GR]

Oh. I'm sorry seriously

It seems none of us know this answer. Or, we are just ignoring you

On another note..... I'll probably be at the Sebring Nat in January. Are you going to have your 4 regionals done by then? Hope so. I think you will do pretty good. Again......

[Lee Racing 8]

Yeah. We're going to Roebling this weekend, Turkey Trot next weekend, and then I'm ready. Then I get to spend X-Mas break rebuilding the whole car with James.

[Matt M.]

A frog always remembers the best bogg's.... I think the rear axle from that bus was un-earthed last year...

Basically from what I've heard Sebring was dropped because of the cost.... Not from a series standpoint - but the cost to bring a car there and run for a week is way more than a "part time" pro racer can usually afford.... Hotels in the area that fetch $35 a night get over $200 night with a 3 night min... Your looking at 3-4 sets of tires just for for testing - the test fee itself - entry fees - food - crew (if any) transport etc etc.... What it costs to do Sebring - you can go to Mid-ohio twice.... True it IS the most amazing week... But then have a crash and wipe out 3 corners in testing - and it makes a very long, expensive week - BUT woman flash for a $0.25 strand of beads from Thursday on.....

With the series leaning more towards making it very affordable for everyone - cutting Sebring was probably a good thing....

[size="1"][ November 17, 2004, 08:38 AM: Message edited by: Matt M. ][/size]

[GR]

Yeah, I was kinda looking forward to running Sebring too if they still had the ACC class.

Cole, the fields down here in Nationals aren't all that much different than our regionals, not counting our winter draws in January. You have to go north to get bigger fields. Can't say I blame them. Who wants to drive 10-14 hours to race Moroso Homestead? Better! But add two more travel hours [img]graemlins/skull.gif[/img]

We've also got the Gestapo track workers at Daytona [img]graemlins/skull.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/skull.gif[/img]

That leaves us with the only real racer friendly facility..... Sebring.

Sad, but we don't have all that much to offer.

That's why I have been heading north for the past three seasons

[Lee Racing 8]

Yeah...that damned thing called school.

[Lee Racing 8]

Can I have a ride too??

[GR]

That's up to the dude that's picking up your tab right now

I am anticipating this next season will see a larger number of events I run out of Florida. Again, depending on what I end up doing. So you won't see me at many Florida events.

The car will be heading to Atlanta after the Turkey Trot. With 10/TENTHS being there, and my decision to have them continue to provide their great support, Road Atlanta may now become my "home track".

[Jesse Yorio]

can someone clear the confusion in regard to the possibility of watkins glen. matt mentioned june - which i gather would be a stand alone event? it appears the IRL (yuck) is running there in september on the same weekend that conflicts with 2nd road atlanta.

[Matt M.]

Originally posted by Jesse Yorio:
can someone clear the confusion in regard to the possibility of watkins glen. matt mentioned june - which i gather would be a stand alone event? it appears the IRL (yuck) is running there in september on the same weekend that conflicts with 2nd road atlanta.

Not Confirmed

[ccambern]

Any more news on the schedule? Is there a possibility of doing Indy or Montreal with F1, or are we most likely looking at the Glen on June 12?

-Clark Cambern

[JByers]

Clark, when you say we does that mean you have purchased a car? (hope so) The Cooper site has updated it's schedule from the 04 schedule to read that the 05 schedule will soon be out.
Jason

[ccambern]

Jason-

Things are still in the works, but I tested my dad's '03 at Buttonwillow in Nov. I had a great time and we are planning on doing a coule of Pacific races this winter. As for the Cooper series, a few things still have to fall into place. Keeping my fingers crossed...

-Clark