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Alexis Rainsford to V8 Champ Car ... NOW

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Alexis Rainsford to V8 Champ Car ... NOW Empty Alexis Rainsford to V8 Champ Car ... NOW

Post by Cynon Sun Aug 07, 2011 10:52 am

In perhaps the most surprising move in the TM Master Cup Series for quite some time, two-time and defending TM Master Cup Series Driver's Champion Alexis Rainsford will move to the V8 Champ Car Series with immediate effect. She will take over the #10 car for Charlie Kaylor Racing.

"It's an opportunity I knew would only happen once." Rainsford said to the press one week before Daytona.
"If I didn't pounce on the opportunity to make the switch this season I'm not sure if I would get the chance next season."

The situation that finds Rainsford in Charlie Kaylor's #10 car is almost as bizarre as the result. While very few in the TM Master Cup Series paddock expected Rainsford to stay after this season, none expected her to abort what appears to be a sure-fire third championship.

To begin this story, Alexis Rainsford drove a third car for Charlie Kaylor in four Champ Car races. She made her debut in car #34 at Mexico last season and crashed out on the third lap. She completed 18 laps at Las Vegas before becoming part of a 4-car pileup that was not of her own doing. She also started the 2011 V8 Champ Car Series season opener at Phoenix and crashed again near the halfway mark.

Rainsford's participation in the 2011 Indianapolis 500 netted a 12th place and the honor of Rookie of the Year after being one of only two rookie drivers to make it to the finish and the only one to finish in the points. It is also the only time Rainsford has made it to the finish of a Champ Car race.

Rewind two weeks. Jayne Ensminger, one of Charlie Kaylor's regular drivers, was involved in a heavy crash at Michigan and broke her leg. Kaylor then elected to call on one of his reserve drivers, Mark Paulsen, however Paulsen was rejected by primary sponsor Lynxe, which has historically preferred female drivers.

Kaylor then called TM Lights and former Champ Car Pacific driver Brooke Ingwersen, but Ingwersen could not be released from her Lenard Development contract. Kaylor's third option was Champ Car Pacific driver Olivia McFarlane, but McFarlane found herself injured in a test at Mid-Ohio a week later.

Kaylor, at a loss, entered car #10 for the upcoming race at Portland, and did not have a driver for that car until Alexis Rainsford notified Kaylor that she would be willing to take the drive if at all possible.

Cyril Volpi, owner of Volpi Racing Team, for whom Alexis Rainsford drove for in the TM Master Cup Series, expressed conflicting emotions to the press.

"I'm disappointed in her decision, but she's pointed us in the right direction in a technical sense. I made a similar decision when I was younger, so I understand her position, but if she ever wants to come back, as long as I'm still around, there will be a seat ready for her." Volpi said.
"I think everyone inside the team knew it would happen once Jayne [Ensminger] was injured sooner or later, because Charlie Kaylor could not have run McFarlane in the car for the whole year anyway."

It was also announced that Rainsford would return to the #1 car for Indianapolis, Japan, and will make a farewell appearance at Decatur before leaving the TM Master Cup Series for the 2012 season. Those three races will be the only ones that do not conflict in some way with her V8 Champ Car schedule.

Rainsford's switch to Charlie Kaylor Racing is something of a homecoming, as both of her parents, Robin and John, are employed there as well.

Rainsford was scheduled to be on-hand for the Dwyer 150 this season, but after this announcement it seems unlikely. She was originally scheduled to run with boyfriend Chris Davenport in the Dwyer 150, but said later that her participation in the race would be dependent on several circumstances. Brooke Ingwersen is, ironically, entered in Rainsford's stead, but rumors indicate that if Davenport qualifies the car, Ingwersen will step aside for Rainsford due to her Lenard Development contract. Ingwersen will, however, practice the car and assist in setting it up for the race.

Rainsford's TM Master Cup Series car will be driven by Packer Carroll at Daytona, but beyond that, it remains a mystery.

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Carroll, Henton Will Split #1 Volpi ... Harrison?


Predictably, Packer Carroll was announced as the driver for the #1 Volpi in relief for the outgoing Alexis Rainsford. However, sponsor Lynxe has apparently requested female drivers for its cars -- ironically the same problems that Charlie Kaylor Racing's Champ Car team faced.

As a result, Carroll will not run all 8 races that Rainsford will miss, and Volpi Racing Team has thrown a lifeline to Divina Henton. Henton, who was left without a drive after her Trevor Carrington Racing drive terminated, had no other opportunities in the TM Master Cup Series or the TM Lights Series.

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(OOC: From the old forum)
Cynon
Cynon
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