Champ Car's RuSport Goes Belly Up

One of the hottest properties in Champ Car apparently will be a free agent very soon, according to reports around the Web.

Justin Wilson (right), the World's Tallest Open-Wheel Driver, is quoted as saying his Champ Car team, RuSPORT, is shutting down soon.

"They (RuSport) have just announced they are closing down," driver Justin Wilson tells goldcoast.com.au. "They have just told me and the crew. They don't want to carry on. This weekend I will just have to see what my options are for next year." TSN.ca among others had the story this morning.

The affable Brit Wilson has shown mad skillz in Champ Car for the last few years, including his memorable dual with Sebastien Bourdais in the Mexico City race last year. Although the two were miles ahead of the pack, Bourdais slowly reeled in Wilson on the last lap for a dramatic hip-check pass. Wilson, driving with an injured wrist, showed major class in defeat.

He's emerged as a chief rival to Bourdais and some had speculated Wilson would replace Bourdais at Newman Haas Lannigan. The disintegration of RuSPORT may allow that to happen.

RuSPORT's departure is another blow for the struggling Champ Car which had had musical drivers recently, microscopic TV ratings and a schedule that featured a seven week layoff between races.

Comments

[oldcartfan]

Well, RuSport leaving is really not all that stunning of an announcement. I think RuSport's fate was sealed when CDW announced they were pulling out a few weeks ago.

I think it's a miracle they even survived as a one-car team this year. The way things were headed for Champ Car early on, it was doubtful they would even show up at all. And Wilson was actually a title-contender for a good part of the season, so they can go out with their head held high.

Rick Benjamin and JON BEEKHUIS talked about RuSport's demise during the Surfer's Race.
They speculated the Wilson will eventually replace Bourdais at Newman-Haas-Lanigan.

I am lucky enough to get ESPN Classic, so I saw the race live.

One thing Champ Car HAS to fix is the TV deal. This bouncing from network to network each season is pathetic!