Dalziel Considering 2008 Offers

Following the news that his rookie season in the 2007 Champ Car World Series has been cut short prematurely, Scotland’s Ryan Dalziel is firmly focused on securing a full-time race seat for the 2008 season and has already received a number of solid offers from open-wheel racing and sports car teams.  In addition, the popular driver could return to the Champ Car grid at seasons-end with an offer currently being tabled by another team to return for the Mexico City round in November.

  Released by Pacific Coast Motorsports (PCM) on Thursday despite an impressive record this season of six top-ten finishes in 11 starts for the rookie Champ Car squad, the 25-year-old from Lanarkshire is currently reviewing his options with the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series and the Indy Racing League figuring in his on-track plans for the future.

  “Obviously Thursday’s announcement came as a big shock to me," stated Dalziel. 

  “I’ve had a good three-year relationship with Pacific Coast Motorsports and I’ve been grateful for the opportunity to race for them having represented them in the American Le Mans Series, Grand-Am and this year in the Champ Car World Series.  Naturally I’m disappointed with the team’s decision, not least given some of my performances this season including leading laps in Toronto and coming close to scoring their maiden podium.  That said it’s time to move on and I’m pleased to say that I’ve already received several offers for next season and I’ll be looking to firm up my plans as soon as possible."

  He continued, “I’ll definitely be racing, it’s just a case of determining what the best option is.  I’ve had a great time driving Daytona Prototypes in the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series in the past two years and I’d definitely be interested in a return there given the strength of the competition.  Similarly there’s potential to stay in open-wheel racing and switch to the Indy Racing League so I’ll consider what’s on offer and hopefully have things lined up sooner rather than later."

  Dalziel has graced the Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype podium twice this season driving for Peter Baron’s SAMAX outfit.  January’s famed ‘Rolex 24 at Daytona’ saw Ryan finish second at Daytona International Speedway alongside team-mates Patrick Carpentier, Darren Manning and Milka Duno while last weekend’s season-closing ‘Sunchaser 1000’ at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah also brought a runner-up finish for the Orlando-based Scot.

  Prior to Thursday’s announcement Ryan sat 14th overall in the 2007 Champ Car World Series Driver Standings, scoring 114 points, with PCM team-mate Alex Figge back in 17th with 77 points.  Dalziel’s final start for PCM produced his sixth top-ten finish of the season at the Dutch circuit of Assen earlier this month – Ryan scoring a tenth place finish.