Champ Car World Series
DOORNBOS READY TO SET DUTCH RECORDS
2007’s new “Flying Dutchman” Robert Doornbos
is rapidly closing on the record for the most successful driver
from the Netherlands in Champ Car World Series history.
After his second victory in San Jose last weekend, Doornbos
is now only one victory away from joining Arie Luyendyk with
a total of three victories in the championship.
However, Luyendyk’s total came from 142 Champ Car starts
– Doornbos’ total of two victories has come from
only nine races.
Now trailing Sebastien Bourdais by only 10 points in the
Championship chase, Doornbos’ efforts could earn him
the record for the best championship finish by a Dutchman
as well. Luyendyk’s best season finish was 7th in 1987.
Should Doornbos win the championship, he will become only
the third European driver to claim the title, following Nigel
Mansell in 1993 and Sebastien Bourdais in 2004, 05 and 07.
With one race to go before heading to Europe, the Dutchman
is eagerly awaiting the chance to race on home soil.
“It is going to be very special. Also, because we did
a lot of preparations for it,” Doornbos said.
“For Champ Car it’s their first time there. For
me not really, I raced there seven years ago, in 2000. It’s
just great to drive in front of your home crowd. And for sure
it gives you an extra boost that you need.
“The last time I won a race in front of my home crowd
was in Spa-Francorchamps in F3000, the feeling afterwards
is just great. I just hope I can give them a good show and
get a good result.”
TOP LEVEL ACTION RETURNS TO ZOLDER
This year’s visit to Zolder by the Champ Car World
Series marks a return for major international single seater
racing at the Flemish venue – the former home of the
Belgian Grand Prix.
Built in 1963, Zolder hosted the Belgian Grand Prix on ten
occasions – the first being in 1973 when Jackie Stewart
tasted victory for Tyrrell – and the last taking place
in 1984 when Michele Alboreto took his Ferrari to victory
lane.
Other Zolder Belgian Grand Prix winners include Niki Lauda,
Gunnar Nilsson, Jody Scheckter, Didier Pironi, Carlos Reutemann
and American legend, Mario Andretti (pictured above).
On two occasions Zolder has also hosted the World Championship
Road Cycling in 1969 and 2002 and the World Championship Cyclo
Cross in 1970 and 2002.
Tragically, Zolder is unfortunately remembered as the venue
where Ferrari’s Gilles Villenueve lost his life in qualifying
for the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix.
EURO BOYS GRAB THE ADVANTAGE IN SAN JOSE
With the Zolder and Assen rounds of the Champ Car World Series
looming fast, the European stars of the championship are obviously
keen to put down some strong performances in the lead-up American
races.
Last weekend at San Jose was dominated by the Euro boys –
a Dutchman, a Swiss and a Spaniard sweeping the podium.
Robert Doornbos’ win was even more remarkable considering
the fact he only qualified 15th, then ran into the back of
Belgium’s Jan Heylen – forcing an early pit stop.
Not the ideal behaviour between the two whose home countries
will welcome the Champ Car World Series in less than a month.
On an alternative fuel strategy and showing great pace, Doornbos
was able to pass Neel Jani (Switzerland) to take the victory
with Oriol Servia (Spain) in third.
The Dutchman’s victory, combined with a 4th place by
Will Power and 5th by Sebastien Bourdais tightened the championship
race. Bourdais now holds a 10 point gap over Doornbos with
Power a further 14 points back.
The Champ Car World Series now has only one final event before
the teams head for Europe – the Generac Grand Prix at
Road America on August 9-12.
|
