Besides those tracks and people employed at Champ Car, others figured to lose out in a bankruptcy would be outside contractors. Carl Haas has some $2 million worth of parts for the Panoz chassis, which will be made obsolete because the IRL uses Dallaras. One contractor, Dan D. Jones & Associates, has already filed a lawsuit against Champ Car for non-payment. After the new Panoz cars developed massive fuel leaks and refueling problems during the first three races of 2007, Jones was hired to overhaul and save the fuel systems -- which he did. But, according to the suit filed in Indianapolis superior court last week, Jones has never been paid one penny of the $300,000 he's owed. He's hired Jim Voyles to try and recoup the money.
As for George's trip to the Far East, he and Honda's Robert Clarke met with Motegi management to try and figure out an alternative date or some kind of plan to allow Long Beach to run April 18-20 (also Motegi's date).
Kalkhoven has been adamant there will be no deal without Long Beach on its original date.
"I am optimistic but there are plenty of complications that could knock it off-line," said George via email from Japan. "There are plenty of things to consider, Motegi and Long Beach are just part of it.
"Everyone expresses a desire to push to make it happen and that's where the effort is being applied at the moment."
