Announcements Imminent…
March 3, 2004
…from OWRS central. Remember Champ Car racing? It’s been so long since anything positive has been announced about the series that I am beginning to wonder if they can get a season off the ground. It’s a long way to the April 16 Long Beach race, the season opener for Champ Cars. I would have expected a lot of positive stories to keep the fan interest going until then.
Hopefully with the announcement of the TV deal and the final schedule, some buzz will develop. With NASCAR into their 4th race of the season and the IRL off and running, their P.R. department should be spewing a host of exciting press releases.
cart-racing.com: Announcements imminent
Negotiate Through the Press
March 3, 2004
As noted in an earlier posting, Frank Williams is one of my heroes. Not only for having the foresight to rid himself of tobacco sponsorship years ago, but the way he refuses to be held hostage by his drivers. I especially hope that these little tidbits of news relating to the teams finances are directly aimed at Ralf and his signing delimma. No doubt about it Ralf, sign on the cheap (relatively) or be gone with you!
Things are SO screwy in F1, it would not surprise me if Ralf and Frank suddenly announce a new contract tomorrow. These boys play the salary game at an entirely different level then the rest of the civilized world.
planet-f1: Cost-cutting is Williams’ priority
Rocketsports Building A Powerhouse
March 3, 2004
It would make sense that the team owned by the same guy who is part owner of the entire series would start to build itself into something of a powerhouse. Rocketsports Racing has taken another step in that direction by hiring Crew Chief Robin Hill to their 2004 Champ Car team. Hill has an impressive history as chief mechanic for some of Champ Car’s greatest champion teams and drivers.
RocketsportsRacing.com: ROCKETSPORTS RACING WELCOMES ROBIN HILL TO 2004 CHAMP CAR TEAM
Papis, Magnussen Fined After Homestead Tangle
March 3, 2004
Grand American Fines Papis, Magnussen Following Grand Prix of Miami Review
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 2, 2004) — Grand American Road Racing Association has fined Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype drivers Max Papis and Jan Magnussen $5,100 each for “unacceptable driving tactics” following a review of the final stages of last Saturday’s Grand Prix of Miami at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The Cult Of Youth
March 2, 2004
Who is behind the youth movement in NASCAR these days? The team owners, the sponsors, the networks? No, it would be NASCAR itself. According to the insightful Lee Spencer article, several drivers have been approached with the idea of cutting back on their schedules.
Mosley Skips Town
March 2, 2004
Max Mosley, in fear of possible legal repercussions from the European Warrant Law is fleeing EU jurisdiction. Switzerland? Monaco! He will close the London office of FIA, staff will go to FIA HQ in Paris (no sanctuary for them?), and Max will enthrone himself in Monte Carlo. Not a bad place to be when on the run from the law!
Stoddart Raising Hell…Again
March 2, 2004
Team Minardi owner Paul Stoddart has a peculiar idea. He believes his fellow team owners should deliver on their promises. He believes he and Eddie Jordan secured an agreement for subsidized engine packages in exchange for their vote to allow traction control. Silly boy. Gave their word, did they? Got anything to back it up, in writing? I would think you are stuck for the year 2004, but it can’t hurt to fire a warning shot for next year.
motorsport.com: Stoddart threatens to cause problems
Tobacco And F1
March 2, 2004
If the reported $150 million annual Marlboro sponsorship of Ferrari is anywhere near accurate, then the ban on tobacco advertising is a good thing. Why? If the top tobacco teams loose their sponsorship kick, maybe they will FINALLY get serious about trying to limit costs. A swat to the income side of the ledger will definitely provoke a reexamination on the expense side.
The ultimate winner in the loss of tobacco sponsorship? That farsighted genius Frank Williams, who gave up his team smoking habit years ago. That, and not allowing himself to be held up by Prima Donna driver salary demands qualifies him for my hero’s list. Now if he can only beat the scarlet devils of Ferrari he will be at the top of the list! Maybe this year before JPM departs.
planet-f1.com: Bernie: Ferrari can’t survive without Marlboro
Busch Driver Grubb Suspended Indefinitely For Substance Abuse
March 2, 2004
ThatsRacin.com is reporting that Busch driver Kevin Grubb has been suspended by NASCAR for an indefinite period due to a violation of the Substance Abuse Policy. Grubb is the second driver to be suspended for a substance abuse violation. Driver Shane Hmiel was suspended Sept. 18, 2003. The official announcement of the suspension will come this afternoon.
ThatsRacin.com: Grubb suspended for violation of substance abuse policy
NASCAR.com: Grubb suspended for substance abuse