Comeback Special: Grand Prix Masters series to return this fall
While the irony of a comeback for a racing series of retired drivers themselves making a comeback has not escaped us, we're actually excited by the prospect of the Grand Prix Masters resuming its race schedule.
The racing league ran a few races back in 2005-2006, when big names like Nigel Mansell and Emerson Fittipaldi – both of which hold F1 and CART titles – competed against each other and other retired drivers in their 40s, 50s and 60s on identical machinery. The series folded, however, after running only three races. A group of new investors, however, has purchased the fleet of 15 cars – specially built by Delta Motorsport based on Reynard 2000-spec Champ Cars powered by 650-hp Cosworth-based 3.5-liter V8s – and is planning on re-launching the series in September or October 2008, apparently under the modified F1 Masters name. Among the drivers interested is Jacques Villeneuve, who is likewise a CART and F1 champ, but at 37 is substantially younger than those who raced in the previous GP Masters series and far more recently retired (or was forced into retirement) from racing. But the prospect of seeing Villeneuve going head-to-head with drivers of different eras has us fantasizing on dream-team draft levels.
[Source: AutoWeek, Photo by Clive Mason/Getty]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
tankd0g 11:46AM (5/02/2008)
Not a fan of this series but I would watch it if Jacques signs up.
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andybee 11:48AM (5/02/2008)
good luck, getting Bernie to let them use 'F1'
these were dreadfully boring (and slow) last time around, a bit of an embarassment, which was a shame given the driver line-up
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Not impressed 1:32PM (5/02/2008)
Oh heck yes, sounds like it could be quite exciting. Keep this series around long enough and not only could we see Jacques race, maybe other more recent stars would join. I'd love to see Montoya in an open wheel car again, if things had not gone awry between him and McLaren I beleive he would still be in F1 and still be winning. Just imagine if he had gone to BMW or Ferrari (after Schumacher's retirement of course) it would have been epic.
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Fooman 1:45PM (5/02/2008)
I understand there are alot of Formula Atlantics up for sale...
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Ian 3:31PM (5/02/2008)
Atlantics series is still racing and Mazda is providing support.
pmiddle5 2:03PM (5/02/2008)
They should just use old ChampCars..
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sfast 4:42PM (5/02/2008)
champ cars with irl engines?
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Emmo213 3:08PM (5/02/2008)
Fittipaldi has always been one of my favorite drivers. It was watching him and Little Al 1994 Indy 500 that got me interested in racing and cars. I was only 12 at the time but still. I was pleased when he ran in the Masters before but will be disappointed if Emmo doesn't participate this time.
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Ian 3:32PM (5/02/2008)
I am looking for a new Junior OW series for drivers in their 20s and 30s using used DP01s and Cossies....
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Henry 11:05PM (5/04/2008)
Why not use DP01's? I hear they're easy to come by.....
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