Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Racing News: Walker Racing Shuts Down

Indianapolis, IN (March 9, 2008)
Reluctantly, Walker Racing has been forced to withdraw its attempt to join the IndyCar Series for 2008. The racing partnership of "Team Australia" and the association with Australian businessman Craig Gore, drivers Will Power and Simon Pagenaud, has also come to an end.
Notwithstanding a commitment for 2008, it came down to the lack of funding. A lengthy search for new sponsorship partners drew a blank, so Walker Racing had to close the program officially on Friday.
"It's a great pity that the team has had to abandon our IndyCar program. So much work by so many has gone into the Team Australia program over the last three and a half years, but now it will remain unfinished business for us. I wish my co-partner well with his new venture and so to Will and Simon and all the employees, associates and fans who have given me the opportunity. Many thanks", said Walker Racing Owner, Derrick Walker.

And in an interesting twist...

Was Kevin Kalkhoven's involvement in the merger a coup de grace of has he pulled off a coup d'etat? He gets Tony George to pay him to join the IRL, he no longer has to deal with Champ Car partner Gerald Forsythe who won't make the switch, (who knows what Paul Gentilozzi is going to do), and with the announcement that Derrick Walker has withdrawn his IRL program it looks like the rumors of KK stealing Will Power and Aussie Vineyards are true. Now we know why Surfers Paradise was part of the unification deal!
info courtesy of The New United IRL (facebook), pictures courtesy of me!

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