Derrick Walker has decided to pursue former Team Australia partner Craig Gore through the US legal system after the Australian failed to respond to deadlines to pay monies owing to the Scot's team.
Gore confirmed last week that he was taking the Team Australia programme - and driver Will Power - to the renamed KV Racing Technologies team owned by Kevin Kalkhoven, prompting Walker to reveal that he was owed a substantial sum arising from their three-year partnership in the Champ Car World Series.
Walker had been the first team to commit to switching codes as talk of a merger between the US' two principal open-wheel series intensified, but now finds himself having to concentrate on a Formula Atlantic programme while trying to piece an IndyCar campaign back together. Gore had previously told Walker that their joint programme was continuing in the unified series, despite the entrepreneur having sold off his V8 Supercar interests at home to focus on business and health issues.
“I was extremely disappointed by Craig Gore's announcement to take Team Australia, our driver, and sponsors to KV Racing," Walker said in a statement issued overnight, "Contrary to Gore's recent statements,
I developed the concept of Team Australia in 2005 [and], over a three-year period, Team Australia had great success in using motorsports as a marketing tool for Australian companies, including Gore's winery, Aussie Vineyards.
"Despite the success of the team, Gore defaulted on his financial obligations to Team Australia throughout the 2007 season. Walker Racing was forced to loan the team substantial funds in order to continue competing in the Champ Car World Series. Walker Racing is still owed in excess of $1,500,000 by Gore and his related entities.
