http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/indycar/42575/
Written by: Robin Miller
Indianapolis, Ind. – 1/18/2008
The 2007 Atlantic champion couldn't find a ride in Champ Car so he's
heading for the Indy Racing League.
Unable to secure a good deal in Champ Car with the $2 million he earned
for winning the Atlantic crown, Raphael Matos has signed with Andretti
Green Racing to run the 2008 Indy Pro Series.
"Champ Car has been my goal since I came to this country in 2001 and but
after talking with PKV, Forsythe and Walker Racing I still wasn't able
to come up with a deal," said Matos, who won six of the 12 races last
year in Champ Car's feeder series.
"I have $2 million and it's two weeks before pre-season testing begins
and I had nothing in Champ Car except one offer from a bad team.
"Michael (Andretti) made me a good offer and I had a deadline with him
and I just feel I have a better future with his team."
The 26-year-old Brazilian and his manager began negotiating with Champ
Car teams and management last summer.
"At one point I spoke with Kevin [Kalkhoven, who co-owns Champ Car with
Gerald Forsythe] and he thought I had a deal with Forsythe and so did
I," continued Matos, whose agent John Caponigro also repsents the
Andrettis and Sam Hornish Jr. among others.
"I started talking to Champ Car management directly and still couldn't
get a deal done. I've got $2 million but it takes $4-5 million to run
the whole season and nobody has any sponsor****p.
"I felt with $2 million and my success last year it would increase my
profile in Champ Car but they didn't treat me like I was hoping."
It's believed Matos wanted a salary plus expenses and a guarantee of
more than one year but apparently Derrick Walker was the only owner
willing to try to make that happen.
"We tried to make it work but we just ran out of time because we don't
have all our sponsor****p together yet and Rafa was getting anxious so he
made another deal," said Walker, who ran Simon Pagenaud last year with
the original $2 million bonus from his '06 Atlantic title.
"It's a shame but it takes more than just that $2 million."
Ironically, despite his excellent rookie season, Pagenaud has nothing
lined up for 2008, although Walker says he's still trying to find the
funds.
"I feel bad for Simon because he has nothing now and Derrick wants to
run him but doesn't have the money," said Matos. "I think it's bad that
Champ Car guarantees you will have a ride for $2 million and it's only a
one-year deal.
"I don't want to run just one year in Champ Car, I want a professional
deal. 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."
Champ Car president Steve Johnson said there was a possibility that
Franck Perera, the runner-up in the '07 Atlantic standings, could
receive the $2 million and put it towards a seat in Champ Car. He had an
impressive test with Forsythe Racing late last year.
"We are disappointed that Rafa will not be in Champ Car next season,"
said Johnson. "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.
"We will reevaluate the program and structure accordingly for the future."
While going from Atlantics to IPS is a lateral move at best, Matos will
get paid to drive at AGR and likely have a shot at moving up as the IRL
continues to branch out with road racing.
"I understand I have no experience on ovals and I will spend 2008
learning them," said Matos, who won two of the four IPS races (on the
streets of St. Pete) he competed in before moving full-time to Atlantics
in 2006.
"But AGR has an ALMS team and they could run five cars at Indianapolis
and I think I have many op****tunities with them. Michael made me feel
like I had a future with him and made me feel comfortable.
"Champ Car has always been a great series but it's difficult to see
where it is going. Everything the IRL had to offer me was a little bit
better as far as my future was concerned."
--
forty
"There's a very fine line between not listening, and not caring. I like
to think that I walk that line every day of my life."
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