Preview of 2005 by Robin Miller
source:
champcarworldseries.com
TEAM: PKV Racing.
YEAR: Third.
BASED: Indianapolis.
DRIVERS: Jimmy Vasser, Cristiano da Matta.
OWNERS: Dan Pettit, Kevin Kalkhoven, Vasser.
KEY ACQUISITIONS: Jim McGee, Steve Krisiloff, da Matta.
FORECAST: After he shakes off the rust, da Matta should be fighting his old team
and Vasser's last ride could benefit from his new teammate.
It could be the end of the line for Jimmy Vasser and it's definitely a rebirth
for Cristiano da Matta. But 2005 will most certainly be a jump start for PKV
Racing.
Co-owned by Kevin Kalkhoven, Dan Pettit and Vasser, PKV figures to go from part
of the scenery to front and center on the track. During the off-season they
hired Jim McGee to brainstorm the operation, signed up 2002 CART champion da
Matta and added some well-respected mechanics like Steve Gough, Jerry Bouchard
and Damon Sturrock to the mix.
Following two years and only two podiums, PKV now has the people in place to
challenge Newman/Haas, Forsythe and RuSPORT.
"It's a good group and they've come together nicely," said McGee, the all-time
winningest chief mechanic in open wheel history. "Cristiano is hungry and he'll
be good for Jimmy in several ways.