Atlantic Champ Gives Up $2 Million To Sign With Andretti Green Racing

INDIANAPOLIS — The hits just keep coming for the Champ Car World Series. And not in the positive sense.
Last week produced two more news items that are circumstantial evidence that the Indianapolis-based open-wheel series could be in deep trouble. Taken individually, the resignation of vice-president of racing operations Tony Cotman and the decision by Rafael Matos to forego the $2 million Champ Car sponsorship bonus he was eligible for by winning the 2007 Champ Car Atlantic Championship are not enough to sink the reeling open-wheel formula.
But as the latest in a series of PR disasters, public confidence in Champ Car is at an all-time low.
Cotman joined Champ Car in 2005 after a 15-year career working on race cars that culminated in a team management role when Andretti Green Racing switched from CART to the Indy Racing League in 2003. 
Cotman, who also served as Champ Car’s race director and chief steward, was regarded as one of the series’ strongest assets. His prompt decision-making and firm and fair treatment of drivers and teams made him by far the most respected chief steward in the history of CART or Champ Car.
Champ Car employees were informed of Cotman’s decision Jan. 18. 
He pledged to assist the series in locating and training his replacement, though no candidates have been identified to date. Former racer Johnny Unser was recently hired as the race director for the Atlantic series.
“(Cotman) came back from the break and tried to get into the spirit of the off-season, but I think his heart just wasn’t in it,” said David Higdon, Champ Car’s executive vice-president of strategic operations. “Tony did a great job in his many roles, and we obviously need to find someone who can handle the pressure of race control.”
Of more significance to fans is the departure of Matos. The 26-year-old Brazilian signed a multi-year deal to drive for Andretti Green Racing, racing in the Indy Pro Series and selected American Le Mans Series sports car events in 2008.
“I’m very honored to be part of the Andretti Green family,” Matos stated. “It is the best thing that has happened for my career and I feel that there are a lot of opportunities available by being associated with Andretti Green. The team has such great people and I am truly looking forward to being a part of its winning tradition.”
In 2006, Champ Car established the $2 million career enhancement bonus for winning the Atlantic championship, requiring that the money be used for a ride in the Champ Car World Series. Initial recipient Simon Pagenaud parlayed the bonus into a Champ Car drive with Team Australia, but the Frenchman has no prospects for 2008 in spite of a competitive rookie Champ Car season in 2007.
Matos cited Pagenaud’s career dead-end as a key factor in why he chose to pass up the $2 million sponsorship in favor of a lateral move to the IPS, where he competed in four road races (winning two) in 2006.
“I don’t want to run just one year in Champ Car; I want a professional deal,” Matos told Speed. “What would I do in 2009 when I have no money? Be out of luck just like Simon? That’s why I made this decision — it’s the best for my career.”
Matos said he talked with Forsythe/Pettit Racing and Team Australia, but both teams would have required him to bring additional funding on top of the $2 million Atlantic bonus. He turned down an opportunity to run for Rocketsports Racing.
Champ Car president Steve Johnson said the $2 million shunned by Matos could be put toward securing a Champ Car ride for Atlantic runner-up Franck Perrera.
“We are disappointed that Rafa will not be in Champ Car next season,” Johnson stated. “Rafa and his agent could not come to a business agreement with any of our teams despite all of our collective efforts to make it happen. The program worked well the prior year when Simon was able to secure his business agreement with Derrick Walker and we  will reevaluate the program and structure accordingly for the future.”
PKV Racing’s Oriol Servia remains the only driver who has been officially announced for the 2008 Champ Car World Series, though former series champion Paul Tracy has publicly stated that he will drive for Forsythe/Pettit Racing.