Could Silverstone host a Champ Car race?

UPDATE Perhaps the door is indeed open for Champ Car at Silverstone. Could this be why Kevin Kalkhoven and his entourage were in the UK last week? You've read it before, but the historic Formula One event at Silverstone is finally dead. F1 impresario Bernie Ecclestone revealed on Tuesday that he has told a new grand prix host – probably somewhere in the United States – that talks with the British Racing Drivers' Club have definitely failed. He told the UK's The Times: ''What could I do? I have got an offer from another country who are looking to build a lovely venue and invest a lot of money in Formula One. 'I have to give them a year's notice to go ahead. If I miss that because I am still messing about with the BRDC, I would be keeping out a country that desperately wants to be in the (championship).'' The 73-year-old's final decision comes only after the BRDC told Bernie that a last and lowest offer – received by the Club in a draft contract last week – was still not acceptable. GMM 10/18/04 A reader writes, Dear AutoRacing1.com, I read someplace that the BRDC could run a Champ Car race if they lose their F1 race. What's the chance of that happening? Pete Miles, Denver, Co. Dear Pete, OWRS has put a real emphasis on races close to or within big cities. We also do not believe that Champ Car has a big enough following anywhere in the world to run a race at a place like Silverstone, which is fairly remote even if it is in central England. Largely because of its horrible TV package this year, especially its international package, and its near-zero marketing, Champ Car has continued to become less and less known around the world. Recall what Tommy Kendall said to the Oregonian newspaper back in June – Kendall isn't surprised that TV ratings are almost nonexistent for Champ Car and Indy Racing League events in this country. "When people say there's nothing wrong with the product, that all it needs is better marketing and promotion, that's a pretty good clue they don't know they have a product nobody wants," Kendall said before Saturday's Trans-Am race. "There is a problem with the product. People are afraid to admit that. I think the product, as it is presented now, is awful — although it has the makings of being a tremendous product. The fans will scream at me, but admitting it's awful actually frees you to figuring it out." This of course takes us back to our call for Champ Car to ditch the current overweight and terribly slow car for a lightweight car with a screaming V10 engine that sends chills down the spine of every fan watching. We could not agree more with Kendall that they have a product only a few want, and the sooner Champ Car officials get their head out of the sand the better. They can start with the Superfund car that has already tested faster than a Jordan and Minardi F1 car, tweak the bodywork, and presto they have a Champ Car as fast as an F1 car that costs less per year (total cost) than the current car. Then they will have a product that somebody wants. Mark C.