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Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

I was expecting official news that Lotus was going to supply bodies- as I've heard. But engines is a major shocker.

That actually means Cosworth- KV ties the two together, and the reality is that Lotus does not have any engine expertise, but Cosworth does. Which then keeps Ford off the cam cover, unless some other engine maker wants to build their motors.

Very interesting.
 
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

Wow. I am very surprised about Lotus supplying engines. I figured, along with everyone else, due to the rumors that they would do an aero package, but not engines.

So with the deadline this past Tuesday to commit to making engines for 2012, it appears that there will be three Indycar engines to choose from. I must admit that is one more than I thought there would be.

I don't know when the deadline is to commit to build aero packages is, but it looks like there will be at least two and maybe more of those.

I must admit that my first reaction to the new rules when they were first announced was excitement. But then the more I thought about it I was pessimistic, but I guess maybe my first reaction was correct. This is just what Indycar needs.

Now the trick going forward is to make sure all of these suppliers are happy with their investment. That doesn't mean that they all need to be completely equal (I hate that crap in Nascar) but it does mean they need to be getting their money's worth in positive TV time.

EDIT: As far as Ford is concerned maybe for 2013 they can hook up with a supplier like Judd! There would be a blast from the past for an engine supplier. :eek:
 
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

MattS said:
Now the trick going forward is to make sure all of these suppliers are happy with their investment. That doesn't mean that they all need to be completely equal (I hate that crap in Nascar) but it does mean they need to be getting their money's worth in positive TV time.
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Exactly. How is Cottman going to deal with the issue of what teams are going to use which engines and chassis. He can't force team X to use chassis A and engine B. Will they be able to switch chassis/engine suppliers mid season? If Lotus ends up dominating, in theory, every team could want buy their stuff, either switching mid-season or for the next year. You would certainly see the lower end teams going for a switch to get to the front for their sponsors. Guys like Penske and Ganassi would most definately stay the course with thier packages.

Will Penske and Ganassi be able to customize anything aero?

Likely users as of now:
Engines: KV - Lotus, Penske (and probably Ganassi) - Chevy, Andretti - Honda, Deferran has ties to Honda, but Rodger's kid would have a link to Chevy, I could see Foyt going with Chevy.

Chassis: KV - Lotus

And all these rules have to get out sooner than later.
 
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

TimothyA.....You hit the big questions going forward. Now that it appears that there is going to be three engines and at least two aero packages, how do they get divided up? I don't envy Cottman that job. He's going to pi$s off someone, ie. the manufacturers, teams, sponsors, or fans, no matter what he does. All the remains to be seen is 1) who are going to get screwed and 2) how bad they get screwed.
 
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

I think he has to let the free market system reign. The mfger's will court the teams and try and sell their goods to them. By nature, race car team owners/engineers/drivers want that unfair equipment advantage, so I think there will be a natural spread among the different suppliers without Cotman dictating it. Now the 2nd year of the new equipment, if certain manufacturers dominate the first year, teams could flock to that certain package, leaving others out in the cold. That's the tricky, tricky spot.
 
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

Timothy A said:
I think he has to let the free market system reign. The mfger's will court the teams and try and sell their goods to them. By nature, race car team owners/engineers/drivers want that unfair equipment advantage, so I think there will be a natural spread among the different suppliers without Cotman dictating it. Now the 2nd year of the new equipment, if certain manufacturers dominate the first year, teams could flock to that certain package, leaving others out in the cold. That's the tricky, tricky spot.
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generally if Curt Cavin prints it as a done deal in his indystar blog I believe him as he's been dead-on the last 2 years.

Rahal to a 3rd Ganassi car, though not Target as a sponsor. this will likely be a partnership then with a 3rd player though not sure whom that would be...

http://blogs.indystar.com/racingexpert/2010/11/23/nov-23-on-graham-and-ganassi/


F1 - no news on Senna to Lotus yet
 
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

So Hornish has no sponsor in crapcar and if he's w/o a crapcar ride, Penske is going to run him @ Indy. How can Danica look at a guy like Hornish, who cleaned up in the IRL (on ovals), goes to crapcar with a good team and suck (BAD), look at that and think she could do better? She's totally nuts. I'd love to see someone post this exact situation to her and see how she answers it. Part of me would like to see her run with Ganassi or Penske so see how good she really is. Most of me just wants her to suck really badly.

F1...an adjustable rear wing will supposedly be among the new features on cars next year. This is supposed to help with overtaking. I am wondering how it will work. We all know there won't be any rule bending there. ;) Also, KERS will possibly be back, but not mandatory.
 
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

alfablue said:
My favorite Penske car was a Sunoco Special, anyway.
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Are you talking about the Can-Am camaro? I have seen that car in person at the Vintage Race weekend at the Glen a few years back.
 
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

alfablue said:
Don't tell me you don't remember the Hertz days!?!?!

My favorite Penske car was a Sunoco Special, anyway.
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I remember Norton Oil on Bobby Unser's car (blue) but I'm foggy on the Hertz thing....Was that Danny Sullivan?
 
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

MattS said:
Are you talking about the Can-Am camaro? I have seen that car in person at the Vintage Race weekend at the Glen a few years back.
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No- later- '72, Mark Donohue- Indy winner. The car is part of the Indy museum, and Mark has been a hero of mine since being very little.
108133992.nMDXrtmj.IMG_9131.jpg


solovsfett said:
I remember Norton Oil on Bobby Unser's car (blue) but I'm foggy on the Hertz thing....Was that Danny Sullivan?
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Al Unser Sr- he won his 4th in the car.
4468615588_2c464123d4.jpg


Mears also drove a Penzoil car at Indy

Rick+Mears.jpg


So really, this yellow Penske isn't all that new. Pre-tobacco, anyway.
 
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Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

alfablue said:
Don't tell me you don't remember the Hertz days!?!?!
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Those were the days, Rick Mears (my racing hero) in the yellow Pennziol and Danny Sullivan in the gold Miller car; and of course Big Al in the Hertz for the Indy 500. I had a hard time adjusting when Rick switched to Marlboro. I loved the Hetrz retro car Power ran last year on occasion. So Penske's main sponsors are IZOD and Shell/Pennzoil at this point. Sucks to be Mikey A! :)
 
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

indystar had some choice nuggets today.


1. Andretti autosport expects 4 cars for 2011 and a 5th for INDY
wow! where that $ comes from is anyone's guess. Possibly saving from not having TK? Though I know that's only 3mil. As an aside I think Andretti has been hurt badly but the loss of Kim Green

speaking of...where are Barry Green, Kim Green, Jerry Forsythe??? I would think Forsythe would want to come back now that the road and street circuits are back and turbochargers on their way


2. check this rumor out: Question: So rumor has it from a pretty reliable source that Kurt Busch and Jimmie Johnson are possibilities for Indy in May. What is your take on this and how do you think they would complete in good equipment if they do? (Jon, Sullivan, Ind.)

Answer: I just don’t see it. It would take away from what they’re trying to accomplish in NASCAR.


Now this is the second or third time I've heard Jimmie Johnson linked to Indy.

In ONE way it makes sense to me. A sense of history combined with already doing everything one can do in one series. Really he's got nothing left to prove to nascar and he'll never make it up there w/Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt or even the likes of Parnelli Jones and Dan Gurney if he doesn't win in more than one type of car

thoughts?


F1
I'm effen ****ed Bruno Senna doesn't have a ride. He outpaced his teammate largely through the season and the kid has only been racing seriously for like 5 years. If Ayrton said he was destined to be great I believe him (nepotism aside).

****it. who wants to see Rubens alsoran Barrichelo again? good grief
 
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

solovsfett said:
Graham Rahal annoucement w/Ganassi satellite team expected soon
J.R. Hildebrand replaced Dan Wheldon at Panther
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I heard Thursday for the GR announcement.

And that is excellent news for JR!
 
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

MattS said:
It did come today...Ganassi's new team



As a Ferrari and a Penske fan I would like to see this, but I am pretty sure it would never happen....

Ferrari / Penske or Ferrari /Ganassi F1 team?
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Nice, and Charlie Kimball as well. That ups U.S. Drivers to 7 for 2011?

The last part of that Ferrari article makes me salivate. the thought of an AMERICAN in a GREAT F1 seat (albeit 3rd car) is just awesome. I hope Chip or Roger can make it happen...paging Graham Rahal anyone?

Also - JR Hildebrand to Panther as expected
 
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