Nigel to Return?

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Nigel to Return?
©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc.
Silly Season in full swing
By Dan Proudfoot — Toronto Sun
If Nigel Mansellcomes roaring out of retirement in 1998, Jim McGee would be the manresponsible.
McGee, general manager for Patrick Racing, is among the mostrespected strategists inside Indy competition. He was making thecalls for Newman/Haas when Mansell was a winner there, and it's onhis recommendation that Patrick try to sign him now. "We're goingover to see him at the end of October," McGee said Saturday. "I'vestayed in contact with Nigel and he's really interested in doingsomething now."
Mansell, the 1992 Formula One world champion and 1993 Indy carchampion, suggested a test drive in a Patrick Reynard Ford-Cosworthas a first step. McGee is prepared to book Portland InternationalRaceway "and a short oval as well" in order for the Englishman tosatisfy his appetite.
"His ability is not in question, he just wants to see if the fire isstill there," McGee said. "I think it is. I know it is."
McGee acknowledges the criticism of Mansell throwing in the towel inhis second year with Newman-Haas. Mansell's Lola was incapable ofhandling consistently through a race in 1994, although Mansell wasable to take the pole three times and start among the top three onanother eight occasions.
"Nigel lost interest as the car had its problems and talk started upof a return to Formula One," McGee said. "But the situation with thisteam would be very good for him. Mr. Patrick is the type of guy Nigelwould really be able to communicate with. You know, Nigel requires alot of love and care, and he'd get it here."
The question of affording Mansell's rates could block his return.Patrick is gaining Pennzoil as a primary sponsor for Scott Pruett'scar, while Brahma, the Brazilian beer company, moves its money toTasman Motorsport and driver Tony Kanaan. Firestone remains animportant backer for Patrick, but Mansell could command $6 million orso.
"Nigel is not an inexpensive commodity," McGee said. "But he brings alot to the table, internationally, in places like Brazil andAustralia, so that opens some possibilities."
While Patrick captured two poles and a single race with Pruett thisyear, there's a sense Mansell would raise the game.
"Nigel's long suit was he could drive with a more delicate touch thananyone," McGee said. "He can sense signals from a car other driverswouldn't get."
TROOP MOVEMENTS
No other switches in driver/team alignments could rival that of aMansell return, but Dario Franchitti's likely move to Team Greencould produce sensational results.
Adrian Fernandez will hook up with either Forsythe Racing or WalkerRacing, as those teams move to two-car operations, while SteveHorne's Tasman Motorsport goes all-Brazilian with Lights championTony Kanaan joining Andre Ribeiro under the Brahma banner.
Robby Gordon appears to have found a home with Hogan Racing, havinggiven Carl Hogan his best finish of the year, eighth, in Sunday'sMarlboro 500. Franchitti ran strong for Hogan, but crashed frequentlybefore burning his bridges with manager Craig Pollock steering himaway from Hogan's uncertainty.
Parker Johnstone appears homeless after showing so little speed withTeam Kool Green, but remains a favorite of Honda, which could securehim a spot in a backup car. It might even be a Green car, if Kooldecides to up the ante in its final year of displaying its brand onracing cars. If all else fails, the amiable Johnstone could have afuture as a television commentator.
WORTH NOTING
Mark Blundell, normally conservative to a fault in appearance andbearing, had his hair dyed on a bet with a mechanic before theMarlboro 500. Stopping short of Villeneuve's peroxide blonde,Blundell chose a reddish-blond effect on the upper head, with thesides remaining his normal brown.
Canadian fans luxuriated in five consecutive wins by Paul Tracy andGreg Moore spanning April through June. But Tracy failed to finish arace following the U.S. 500 at Michigan International Speedway inJuly, and Moore scored one finish in seven starts since Portland inJune.
The dominance of Firestone tires extended to 11 consecutive winswith Blundell's Marlboro 500 victory, yet Gil de Ferran came close tosaving face for Goodyear, leading with 72 laps left. Ironically, deFerran said his tires were fine, but his Honda engine lost power forthe first time this year.
Source: Canada Online, used by permission


		NOW AVAILABLE! — The Official Directory for CART Racing

		Nigel to Return? ©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc. Silly Season in full swing By Dan Proudfoot — Toronto Sun If Nigel Mansellcomes roaring out of retirement in 1998, Jim McGee would be the manresponsible. McGee, general manager for Patrick Racing, is among the mostrespected strategists inside Indy competition. He was making thecalls for Newman/Haas when Mansell was a winner there, and it's onhis recommendation that Patrick try to sign him now. "We're goingover to see him at the end of October," McGee said Saturday. "I'vestayed in contact with Nigel and he's really interested in doingsomething now." Mansell, the 1992 Formula One world champion and 1993 Indy carchampion, suggested a test drive in a Patrick Reynard Ford-Cosworthas a first step. McGee is prepared to book Portland InternationalRaceway "and a short oval as well" in order for the Englishman tosatisfy his appetite. "His ability is not in question, he just wants to see if the fire isstill there," McGee said. "I think it is. I know it is." McGee acknowledges the criticism of Mansell throwing in the towel inhis second year with Newman-Haas. Mansell's Lola was incapable ofhandling consistently through a race in 1994, although Mansell wasable to take the pole three times and start among the top three onanother eight occasions. "Nigel lost interest as the car had its problems and talk started upof a return to Formula One," McGee said. "But the situation with thisteam would be very good for him. Mr. Patrick is the type of guy Nigelwould really be able to communicate with. You know, Nigel requires alot of love and care, and he'd get it here." The question of affording Mansell's rates could block his return.Patrick is gaining Pennzoil as a primary sponsor for Scott Pruett'scar, while Brahma, the Brazilian beer company, moves its money toTasman Motorsport and driver Tony Kanaan. Firestone remains animportant backer for Patrick, but Mansell could command $6 million orso. "Nigel is not an inexpensive commodity," McGee said. "But he brings alot to the table, internationally, in places like Brazil andAustralia, so that opens some possibilities." While Patrick captured two poles and a single race with Pruett thisyear, there's a sense Mansell would raise the game. "Nigel's long suit was he could drive with a more delicate touch thananyone," McGee said. "He can sense signals from a car other driverswouldn't get." TROOP MOVEMENTS No other switches in driver/team alignments could rival that of aMansell return, but Dario Franchitti's likely move to Team Greencould produce sensational results. Adrian Fernandez will hook up with either Forsythe Racing or WalkerRacing, as those teams move to two-car operations, while SteveHorne's Tasman Motorsport goes all-Brazilian with Lights championTony Kanaan joining Andre Ribeiro under the Brahma banner. Robby Gordon appears to have found a home with Hogan Racing, havinggiven Carl Hogan his best finish of the year, eighth, in Sunday'sMarlboro 500. Franchitti ran strong for Hogan, but crashed frequentlybefore burning his bridges with manager Craig Pollock steering himaway from Hogan's uncertainty. Parker Johnstone appears homeless after showing so little speed withTeam Kool Green, but remains a favorite of Honda, which could securehim a spot in a backup car. It might even be a Green car, if Kooldecides to up the ante in its final year of displaying its brand onracing cars. If all else fails, the amiable Johnstone could have afuture as a television commentator. WORTH NOTING Mark Blundell, normally conservative to a fault in appearance andbearing, had his hair dyed on a bet with a mechanic before theMarlboro 500. Stopping short of Villeneuve's peroxide blonde,Blundell chose a reddish-blond effect on the upper head, with thesides remaining his normal brown. Canadian fans luxuriated in five consecutive wins by Paul Tracy andGreg Moore spanning April through June. But Tracy failed to finish arace following the U.S. 500 at Michigan International Speedway inJuly, and Moore scored one finish in seven starts since Portland inJune. The dominance of Firestone tires extended to 11 consecutive winswith Blundell's Marlboro 500 victory, yet Gil de Ferran came close tosaving face for Goodyear, leading with 72 laps left. Ironically, deFerran said his tires were fine, but his Honda engine lost power forthe first time this year. Source: Canada Online, used by permission