Matos to forego $2M, black eye for Champ Car?

UPDATE #4 In this SPEEDTV.com article, Robin Miller agrees with AutoRacing1.com that Matos leaving Champ Car and going to the IRL is another major PR blow for Champ Car. He writes, The Matos Mutiny is simply another public relations disaster and another example of the flawed business plan. A kid from Brazil comes to America with $200, works in a go-kart shop and climbs the ladder until he wins the Atlantic title and $2 million to put towards a Champ Car ride.

But, imagine this, he actually wants to be paid a salary to drive and that doesn't fly with PKV or Forsythe so they try to pawn him off on Gentilozzi's team (and he wisely says, no thanks).

Rafa's agent [Editor's Note: John Caponigro – who also runs all of the Andrettis businesses] makes a deal with Michael Andretti's team and now a future star of Champ Car is an Indy Pro Series driver. He gets a little money, his expenses, a multi-year deal and peace of mind — which is a lot more than Simon Pagenaud has right now. He was the recipient the first $2 million bonus and did a splendid job for Derrick Walker but Pagenaud has nothing for 2008.

This kind of scenario should really make those Atlantic drivers excited about their future. See related SPEEDTV.com article.

01/18/08 This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' with today's announcement from Andretti Green Racing. A major black eye for Champ Car to have a driver walk away from the $2M prize to drive in Champ Car.

01/16/08 We are told that the rumor that Matos was being told which Champ Car teams he must use his $2M Atlantic prize money with is not true, and he is free to negotiate with any team.

01/16/08 This rumor is upgraded to 'strong' today. Our sources in the Atlantic series are saying that the rumors about Matos going to Andretti Green Racing (AGR) in the IRL's IPS series are correct. Apparently the situation inside Champ Car is such that many of the teams are getting multimillion dollar subsidies in the form of free tires and engine leases from Champ Car. But if they take Matos with his $2 million, they do not get these subsidies… thus, taking less cash from a paying driver like Dan Clarke, added to their subsidies, results in an overall higher dollar figure. Champ Car wants Matos to drive for Rocketsports, which is a back-of-the-field team, and this one-year deal includes no salary, no travel expenses and all prize money goes to the team. On the other hand, AGR is offering him a 3-year deal, decent salary, test days in the IRL car and the chance to move up in a commercially-viable team that operates in both the IRL and ALMS. You really can't blame Raphael.

01/16/08 Rumors making the rounds are that Champ Car Atlantic champion Rafael Matos will forego the $2 million prize money for a Champ Car ride that he earned as 2007 Atlantic Series champion, and instead will drive for Andretti Green Racing in the Indy Pro Series in 2008. This rumor is unconfirmed, but if true would be a major blow to Champ Car's reputation to have a driver walk away from $2 million to go to the rival series. At issue may be the team with which he was being asked to drive for. If this rumor turns out to be true, it will be interesting to see if Atlantic series runner-up Franck Perera gets the $2 million prize.