Bourdais Triumphs In California

[Senna 0]

Bourdais triumphs in California

Bourdais denied Tracy a third Long Beach win in a row

Frenchman Sebastien Bourdais began the defence of his Champ Car World Series crown with victory in the Long Beach Grand Prix in California.

The Newman/Haas driver started fourth but took the lead on the 38th lap to finish ahead of Canadian Paul Tracy and Brazil's Bruno Junqueira.

Briton Justin Wilson began his second season in Champ Cars with fourth place, having briefly led the race.

Bourdais' win was the first for Newman/Haas at Long Beach since 1987.

"I am very surprised, not really expecting to be in the top three with the way the weekend was going," said Bourdais, who claimed the bonus point for most positions improved.

Tracy, who had been chasing a third straight win at Long Beach, tussled with Junqueira early on but had no answer when Bourdais challenged him on lap 38.

"We had a good first stint, but after that the car did not improve any," he said.

"I was basically running the same pace throughout the whole race.

"Sebastien came up on us hard, so there was not a whole lot I could do. I gave him room and played fair."

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Long Beach Grand Prix result:

1. Sebastien Bourdais (FRA) 81 laps completed in 1hr 46min 29.768sec (Avg speed: 89.811 mph, 144.536 km/h)

2. Paul Tracy (CAN) 81 at 4.137sec

3. Bruno Junqueira (BRA) 81 laps completed

4. Justin Wilson (GBR) 81

5. Mario Dominguez (MEX) 81

6. Timo Glock (GER) 81

7. Ronnie Bremer (DEN) 81

8. AJ Allmendinger (USA) 81

9. Jimmy Vasser (USA) 81

10. Cristiano da Matta (BRA) 81

[Senna 0]

Good performances from both Wilson and Glock. Both were very impressive during the race and this is a testimony to the quality of F1 as well.

[ecapdeville 0]

Good performances from both Wilson and Glock.  Both were very impressive during the race and this is a testimony to the quality of F1 as well.

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I have always said that, when a F1 driver comes to Champ Car, they show everybody the potential (not so much with Yoong), and when a Champ Car goes to F1 tends to suffer a bit

[Sato 0]

Go Glock!

[nojvnof1 0]

Great drive from Bourdais, he's still the man to beat. Wilson and Glock drove very well, whilst Andrew Ranger looks to be a star in the making, someone to take over the mantle from JV in Canadian motorsport. A good race, and 6 weeks til the next one.

[Senna 0]

Great drive from Bourdais, he's still the man to beat. Wilson and Glock drove very well, whilst Andrew Ranger looks to be a star in the making, someone to take over the mantle from JV in Canadian motorsport. A good race, and 6 weeks til the next one.

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And some people are complaining about the break between Bahrain and Imola!

[nojvnof1 0]

yeah I know, but the personnel need the 3 week break considering the amount of back to back races F1 is in for in the middle of the year. I must say though, 6 weeks is a fairly long gap betweens rounds one and two, but with only 14 races on the calendar, they gotta be spread out I guess.

[Taku 0]

sebastian bourdais. it's a wonder how this guy isn't in, or at least sniffing around, f1.

[Kaciaj 0]

Oh yes..I think Seb Bourdais woul do very well in a F.1 machinery..

[bajo39 0]

I have always said that, when a F1 driver comes to Champ Car, they show everybody the potential (not so much with Yoong), and when a Champ Car goes to F1 tends to suffer a bit

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This has been true on occasions, e.g. Andretti, but also untrue, e.g. JV, Montoya. I don't think anyone would argue that F1 is a higher class of racing.

[bajo39 0]

Great drive from Bourdais, he's still the man to beat. Wilson and Glock drove very well, whilst Andrew Ranger looks to be a star in the making, someone to take over the mantle from JV in Canadian motorsport. A good race, and 6 weeks til the next one.

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Paul Tracy is Canadian and routinely around the top of the sheets.

[nojvnof1 0]

yeah but he's getting on a bit now. He's still damn quick though, but at the moment, PT will outlast JV in racing careers it seems.

Sir Frank Williams doesn't agree with a few of us who think Seb is worthy of F1. During Button-gate Seb rang SFW to talk about even a test run, but SFW told him winning CART means very little anymore, whilst Renault chose Montagny over him for their test spot a couple years ago. I disagree, he should be in F1, and if JV does get the boot, not that I want it to happen, but if it does, I'll be disappointed if Seb isn't even considered.

[Kaciaj 0]

Paul Tracy is Canadian and routinely around the top of the sheets.

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Tracy is too old to take over JV...have you seen how fat he is?In F.1 he'd find difficult to enter in a car...

[nojvnof1 0]

that's why I specifically mentioned Ranger as being the future for Canadian motorsport.

[Senna 0]

that's why I specifically mentioned Ranger as being the future for Canadian motorsport.

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I think it is a bit soon to make that judgement!

[nojvnof1 0]

yeah you're right, just an early tip, but I'm confident in saying what I say from what I've heard and seen. Anyways, when (note if, note the confidence!) he's F1 WDC sometime in the future, I can say "I told you so!"

[AutoRacer5 0]

I just noticed Vasser in 9th. I remember in 1996-1998 he and Zanardi under Ganassi were winning everything. Shame to see him down there, especially since his last win was in 2003 I think, it was at Fontana. Tracy's lost his form, in 2003 he dominated Champ Cars.