Rahal to run A1GP then to GP2 in 07 ?

[fullmetal]

I heard rumor that Graham Rahal may be running one of the A1GP cars this year and is planning to make the move to GP2 in 07 after his 06 Atlantics ride.

Anyone have any more info on this ?

[Jim Wilke]

Graham Rahal just turned 17. I would suggest he has a few races to run before he knows where he's going. Once he gets out of Atlantics, the costs go up exponentially and he's going to need more money than his dad is going to want to spend, lots more money. That means outside sponsors and that means he'll have to have some results to show off. Let him get through this season and we'll see. Hey, if he wins the Atlantics title, he's in a CCar next year!

[wynnspeed]

It sounds like the logical path. I am sure his goal is not to end up racing in either the IRL or CCWS anytime soon if he can help it. I think that this year GP2 will be recognized as the second most important series in the world behind F1. It sure did well in its first year.

[fullmetal]

Link

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns16279.html

[BlueStang]

Why would he race for Team Lebanon & not Team USA???

[indyracefan]

I think that this year GP2 will be recognized as the second most important series in the world behind F1. It sure did well in its first year.

...GP2's first season impressed and made a fan of me.

[Jim Wilke]

Why would he race for Team Lebanon & not Team USA???

Team Lebanon? Sounds like a lot of baloney to me....

I'm here all week, be sure and tip your waitress.

[wynnspeed]

Team Lebanon? Sounds like a lot of baloney to me....

I'm here all week, be sure and tip your waitress.

Why is that? Team Lebanon is run by Carlin Motorsort which is based from England and is the old team of Button, Sato and Wheldon.

Or are you just looking to be the cauese of another mega thread like the Atlantic thread.

[stnkypete]

Why would he race for Team Lebanon & not Team USA???

Because he can. Let's face it, there are plenty of guys in line before Graham for the Team USA seat. Whereas, I doubt there are all that many drivers of Lebonese heritage as fast or faster than he is.

[Cygni]

I highly doubt Graham is going to be super succesful in Atlantics this year. He seemed pretty quick in lower series, but he is going to be racing against guys that were dominant in their feeders. Champs, winners, poles, fast laps... including guys that beat Graham himself. It may be a wee bit soon to plan on moving into GP2 before hes even done the Atlantic season.

[CARacer]

Team Lebanon? Sounds like a lot of baloney to me....

I'm here all week, be sure and tip your waitress.

A1GP has a "Grandparent" rule that allows drivers who have at least one grandparent or parent that was born in the Team's country to compete under that respective team's country. A rule put in place to help countries like Lebanon who don't have a big talent pool to draw on.

The Rahal's originally came from Lebanon, so Graham qualifies under that rule to drive for Team Lebanon. I guess you did not know that the Rahal's are of Middle Eastern descent.

As stated above, Team USA has Bryan Herta driving for then now, and many other possible drivers in line with more experience than Graham. So if Graham wants to races in A1GP this season, Team Lebanon is his best option. Graham probably will do better than their current driver, especially in the upcoming Laguna Seca race in March.

[Jim Wilke]

Why is that? Team Lebanon is run by Carlin Motorsort which is based from England and is the old team of Button, Sato and Wheldon.

Or are you just looking to be the cauese of another mega thread like the Atlantic thread.

link

[ptistheboss]

link

Jim that is way too cerebral for trackforum.

[Jakester]

Lo, it has come to pass.

Rahal to drive for Team Lebannon in A1GP

[Bombardier R142]

Their recidency rules are like World Cup Soccer. By their rules I could race for either Lichtenstein or Russia (as it was a part of Russia at the time) as my Grandmother was born there. That's nice to know.