Dan Clarke eyes move to Champ Car
03/23/06 Dan Clarke has apparently emerged as a possible front-runner for the 2nd CTE Racing-HVM seat. The team ran just 50 miles with new signee Nelson Philippe today, but put in 51 laps with the former British F3 driver Clarke. The 2004 Formula Ford Festival champion ran a few stints to get familiar with the Champ Car as the team looks to finalize its driver lineup for 2006.
“The car feels really good. It did everything I expected it to," said Clarke, who had tested earlier with Mi-Jack/Conquest Racing. “It was hard work out there. The team told me to do some six-lap runs but I pushed out to 10 because Long Beach is only two weeks away and you can’t afford to get into things slowly now."
Clarke was on hand as a possible driver for the team’s second car, which will carry the #14 instead of the #55 this season. The 22-year-old Brit is looking to run his first season in the United States, and wants to do it in Champ Car.
“The main thing that interests me about Champ Car is that it’s a level playing field here," he said. “The teams are much more equal than they are in Formula 1 and I want to race in a series that allows you to go out and show how good you are and I think Champ Car is the best for that. Champ Car
02/07/06 See Hot News item on this today. His management team appears confident he has a ride lined up.
01/06/06 Kevin Kalkhoven has given a strong endorsement to Dan Clarke joining the Champ Car World Series in 2006.
"Dan is perfect for Champ Cars," said Kalkhoven in a recent interview. "He's a determined, ambitious young driver who loves to race hard. He doesn't underestimate the enormity of the move up to these powerful cars, but at the same time he's ready to grab the chance with both hands and live up to his 'Speedy' Dan name.
"Champ Car attracts an international field of talented young drivers and Dan would be a great addition to our grid. We look forward to welcoming him into the Champ Car family in 2006."
[Editor's Note: Dan Clarke will not be driving for PKV, but for another team.]
01/05/06 Englishman Dan Clarke is planning to emulate Dan Wheldon's success by switching to the United States next season. Wheldon won the Indianapolis 500 and Indy Racing League crowns this season after turning his back on Europe as a youngster and Clarke plans to follow that lead.
The 22-year-old hopes to land a seat in the Champ Car series, where fellow Yorkshireman Justin Wilson is already a race winner.
He said: "Life is about taking chances. I could have done another year in Formula Three and possibly won the championship, but Champ Car racing is inspiring.
"It is the one series that gives me really powerful machinery and top-notch competition and provides me with a real challenge.
"I need to be on the edge, getting the adrenalin rush and the buzz of excitement in my racing. The Champ Car is a big set of wheels which needs guts and nerves to get the best out of it. I'm up for the test."
Clarke has already tested for Conquest Racing and impressed championship co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven.
He said: "Dan is perfect for Champ Cars. He's a determined, ambitious young driver who loves to race hard.
"He doesn't underestimate the enormity of the move up to these powerful cars, but at the same time he's ready to grab the chance with both hands. We look forward to welcoming him into the Champ Car family in 2006." Sporting Life