I received this email from Steve Johnson, our President and CEO the next day:
To: All Champ Car Stakeholders
From: Steve Johnson
Re: Tony Cotman
I’m disappointed to inform you that Executive VP & Race Director Tony Cotman will be leaving Champ Car. He just informed me, the Board and Senior Management that he would not be with us this season, noting that soon after he returned from the winter break, after much introspection, he decided that it was time for him to move on to something new.
Certainly, we will miss Tony, as he has been a stellar Race Director and an important member of our management team. He has agreed to remain in his position for the time being to work on the transition and help us identify a replacement who will carry on the tradition of Champ Car racing that puts driver safety and fan entertainment first.
Tony has played a big role in enhancing our racing program, including helping us to successfully launch a new car in both the Champ Car World Series and Champ Car Atlantic Championship after he joined Champ Car in 2005. It’s clear to our sponsors and fans that Champ Car always puts racing first, as that’s the essence of our series and something that we certainly will maintain this season and beyond.
Tony truly has been a committed and passionate member of the Champ Car community for the past three seasons. No “goodbyes” just yet, however, as Tony will continue to work with us for the foreseeable future, but we wanted to let you know as soon as possible. We also will let you know soon who will be stepping in as Race Director to maintain our unique version of Grand Prix open-wheel racing, and how we will handle his management responsibilities.
Tony related to me some of his reasons, which are personal and private, and what Steve says above is certainly very accurate. Tony was also very adamant to tell me that based on what he knows (which is a hell of a lot more than you or I) and because of the strength of the product on the race track and the commitment of our owners, the Champ Car World Series will continue. Amen, and plenty of hard work ahead for all of us.
Paul "Ziggy" Harcus, TC's right hand man and fellow Kiwi will continue to carry the ball for us in our operations department. Ziggy knows all of the practices and procedures Tony has set up as they have worked very closely over the past three seasons. Right now, we do not have an experienced Race Director in RC, as Beaux Barfield was succeeded a few weeks ago by Johnny Unser as our Atlantic Race Director for 2008. As stated in Steve's email, Tony and our owners are working on a replacement.
Three quotes come to mind here.
The first is from Ralph Waldo Emerson:
"Our life is an apprenticeship to the truth, that around every circle another can be drawn; that there is no end in nature, but every end is a beginning; that there is always another dawn risen on mid-noon and under every deep a lower deep opens."
The second from the famous positive thinking philanthropist W. Clement Stone (who is Chris Kneifel's grandfather:)"From every adversity comes the opportunity for a greater benefit."
And third:Elwood : "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses."
Jake: "Hit it."
Please join me for the 2008 Champ Car World Series where we will indeed be hitting it.
JHS
