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INDYCAR: Vasser and Tracy Trying to Team Up, says Miller
The arch rivals-turned-best buddies are working together to find the money to put PT in Vasser's Indycar.
Robin Miller  |  Posted January 16, 2009   Indianapolis, IN
Don't let the picture fool you...Vasser and Tracy are as close as they come. If the money can be found, the two could put KV Racing in the winner's circle this year. (LAT Photographic)


Jimmy Vasser spent his entire Champ Car career either trying to catch, stay ahead or avoid Paul Tracy. Now he just wants to hire the Thrill from West Hill.

"Obviously we live in the same city and we were kicking around some ideas the other day and P.T. wondered if KV Racing would work with him on a deal and I said absolutely," said Vasser, who co-owns KV Racing with Kevin Kalkhoven.

"We're trying to run down some stuff up in Canada and I think Paul has a couple of possibilities in the States but he needed a team to work with him so that's what I'm doing."

The former CART champions are looking for a minimum of $4 million to run Tracy in the 2009 IndyCar series alongside Mario Moraes, who signed with KV earlier this week after finding sponsorship.

Vasser admits that $4 million barely covers the engine lease, tire bill and operating expenses and that wouldn't leave much in the way of salary for the 40-year-old veteran.

"But what I love about P.T. is that he's still got the fire to go for it and I think we all saw last year at Edmonton that he's still got a few good years left in him," said the 2006 CART king, referring to Tracy's charge from 15th to fourth in a Tony George Vision car prepared by Derrick Walker's team.

"And let's face it. P.T. is exciting, he sells tickets, he gets a lot of press and the league needs him. Especially with two races in Canada."

Tracy, a Toronto native who has a personal services deal with Monster Energy Drink, admits he's got nothing but hope at the moment.

"I was talking with a truck team but you know I want drive Indy cars," he said. "I want to run Indy again and I think I showed I can still get the job done. I appreciate Jimmy's help and we're going to try our best to find some money."

With Oriol Servia and Will Power in 2008, KV Racing was the most consistent of the transition teams who joined the Indy Racing League after Champ Car closed its doors. Power signed with Team Penske and is its test driver until the outcome of the Helio Castroneves' trial on tax evasion charges. Servia, ninth in the point standings last season, has nothing at the moment.

"I'm still working on something for Oriol as well as Will since we don't know what his fate will be but soon we've got to make a decision on whether we're running one or two cars," said Vasser, who acknowledged that GP2 driver Lucas di Grassi is also trying to find sponsorship to bring to KV.

"I don't have to tell you it's tough out there right now but in PT's case it seems like we could find four companies to give us $1 million each or eight to give us $500,000. If I could get close then I'd go to the IRL and ask for some help because, like I said, I think they need a guy with his stature and personality."

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