Press Snoop: Gurney Rahal to F1 in '08.

There has been another entry submitted to FIA for a new Formula One team for 2008, as late word out of Paris reveals that, for the first time, there could be an all-American F1 team.

The deadline was barely met by Gurney Rahal All American Racing, due to the time difference in the United States, but the team joins DAVID RICHARDS' Prodrive and PAUL STODDART, who has already submitted an application for his new Minardi Europe Ltd. One of the new applicants could be approved by FIA, so there would be 12 F1 teams in 2008.

A press conference is scheduled by FIA for Saturday evening at the Australian Grand Prix when all will be revealed.

In the meantime, inside sources feel that the American entry has an excellent chance for 2008 because it has a well-thought out detailed presentation, including a business plan.

AAR has submitted the previously mandatory $48 million financial bond to show faith it is a serious effort, and it is thought that the Coca-Cola Company will be the team's sponsor, the chassis would be an AAR Eagle, and the engine would be an American-built Cosworth. The team will be owned by well-known American drivers, DAN GURNEY and BOBBY RAHAL, who each raced in Formula One and are raising their sons to do likewise.

The drivers will be second generation drivers ALEX GURNEY and GRAHAM RAHAL. Young Rahal has made no secret of his F1 aspirations, and BOBBY RAHAL and Graham's manager, RICK GORNE, have been guiding his accelerated career path in that direction. Gurney has been racing sportscars and will redirect his efforts to include an intensive open-wheel schedule.

Graham Rahal will be racing a full Champ Car Atlantic season this year, and has been filling his spare time with races in the A1GP series with Team Lebanon, testing a F3000 car in Europe, and a variety of sportscar races in American Le Mans Series and Grand American Road Racing. His plan is to again race A1GP for Team Lebanon for the full 2006-2007 season, which will open in the Netherlands on 30 September 2006. In 2007, Rahal will run GP2, which is the official feeder series for F1. His GP2 sponsor will be Dasani Designer Water, a new product Coca-Cola plans to launch overseas next year, and the sponsorship will carry over into Formula One.

Gurney will continue his Grand-Am ride this season with GAINSCO/Blackhawk Racing Team in the #99 Pontiac Riley Daytona Prototype. The schedule will allow Gurney to also compete in other races, and he will race with A1 Team USA in the 2006-2007 series. That schedule hasn't yet been released, so it's unclear if there will be any conflicts, but it is thought not. Schedules are still being worked, but plans are for Gurney Jr to run selected races in the Atlantic Series and the Formula Renault World Series in Europe. He too will run GP2 in 2007. Between the races in GP2 and A1GP, it is hoped that the lads will get experience on Formula One circuits. Gurney will be sponsored by Classic Coke in GP2 and F1.

The team's test/Friday/development driver will be COLIN BRAUN, who is currently racing sportscars in Grand-Am and ALMS, as well as selected races in other series.

DOUG FEHAN has been signed as team manager. He presently runs the highly successful factory Corvette American Le Mans team. For the remainder of this season and next, Fehan will continue with his Corvette duties while training his replacement. Fehan, a well-known multi-tasker, is looking forward to the challenge.

To ease the transition from American racing to the highly politicised world of Formula One, BERDIE MARTIN has been hired as consultant. Martin was the head of ACCUS, the American arm of FIA, for many years, and still is involved with FIA and the FIA Charitable Foundation. Martin had been assigned as the FIA steward for the 2006 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, but since that race has been cancelled and Martin hasn't been reassigned to another stewarding position, there is no conflict of interest.

The temporary physical location and spiritual headquarters for AAR team will be in southern California, while a suitable European location is found, preferably in England.

APRIL FOOL!