Minardi Team USA won't switch to the IRL but its manager, Keith Wiggins plans to be part of the 2008 season under his old HVM Racing name. Wiggins has a veteran crew, a car, a potential driver/sponsor and plenty of experience in survival.
"Paul (Stoddart) told me a few days ago he wouldn't be involved and to shut everything down but we've got a lot of good people and I decided to keep this thing going," said Wiggins, who ran the Minardi Team USA program in '07 for Stoddart and Robert Doornbos.
Wiggins has been in negotiations with Ernesto Viso, whom he twice tested in a Champ Car.
"He's very quick and he's got a sponsor so we're trying to get everything nailed down," he said. "We've still got Michael Cannon (engineer), Vince Kremer, Darryl Fox, Kevin Lee, Bob Hatch and 26 people in total. We had to let a couple go because right now we're only planning to run one car."
"Paul (Stoddart) told me a few days ago he wouldn't be involved and to shut everything down but we've got a lot of good people and I decided to keep this thing going," said Wiggins, who ran the Minardi Team USA program in '07 for Stoddart and Robert Doornbos.
Wiggins has been in negotiations with Ernesto Viso, whom he twice tested in a Champ Car.
"He's very quick and he's got a sponsor so we're trying to get everything nailed down," he said. "We've still got Michael Cannon (engineer), Vince Kremer, Darryl Fox, Kevin Lee, Bob Hatch and 26 people in total. We had to let a couple go because right now we're only planning to run one car."