What about the European races?

UPDATE For those of you who attended Surfers you may have received one of our 2007 Champ Car schedules showing two European races. Were we a bit optimistic? We think not. While nothing has yet been confirmed in relation to the European races, the announcement that the Assen TT World Superbike race has been moved to April included reference to a proposed Champ Car race.

"We realize we are breaking a time-honored tradition by advancing the [WSBK] race to the 29th of April," managing director of the Assen circuit Peter Oosterbaan said, "but in this way the main events are spaced out better across the season, most certainly with an eye to the pop-concerts that will have to be scheduled after mid August and the proposed Champ Car races at the TT Circuit Assen in the month of September (Sept. 21-23)."

As for the second European race, as we stated in another rumor, it's between four different venues. A decision should be forthcoming within a couple of weeks. 2007 Champ Car schedule (shows Oschersleben as 2nd race – this will probably change. We also hear the dates could change by a few weeks.)

10/10/06 A reader writes, Dear AutoRacing1.com, Champ Car president Steve Johnson said when the 15- race 2007 schedule was announced that he hoped to finalize the deals in Europe in a week or two. It's been two weeks, are those races dead on arrival? Eric Rothman, London, England

Dear Eric, According to our sources, the two races in Europe will happen. The concern I believe has to do with Oschersleben, Germany being too close to the Assen race (distance apart) as well as the Spa F1 race and Zandvoort A1GP bookending both events, all in the course of 4 weeks. If it were us we would look at tracks further away in lieu of Oschersleben. It's too bad the Bugatti circuit at LeMans did not materialize, as that would have been a good event given Champ Car's 'French Connections.' Another possibility is Brno in the Czech Republic. As can be seen below, the 3.357-mile road course is much longer and wider than Oschersleben as it was built to F1 standards. The question with Brno is whether there is enough interest in the Czech Republic for racing. The A1GP was sparsely attended. However, Brno has been looking for a 'signature' event for a long time and Champ Car could fit that bill. Mark C.