Heaters and Booze
Roger’s a throwback, ain’t he? Cigarettes and whiskey. Whatever. There’s a bit of buzz in Daytona about Penske breaking cover with the same sponsor as the series. Roger’s boys looked a little tacky in the paddock with black hand-painted over yellow. What’s that all about, Alfie?
Brings back memories
Once upon a time, a team raced in the Braselton series. It had also raced at the World Center of Racing – and won, but those were “one-off” deals. The boss looked the part of the wrench in whose shop we’d hang around as kids, or a character from the eponymic musical (the hair, at least). Incongruously, he was a wine and cheese guy (the wine, at least).
The sponsors paid his bills and wrote checks for pole winners. They were all there at the big party. Awards were being handed out – interminably. The Finn finally won his championship. Anyway, in the middle of all that, the Brylcream boss made his way to the table at which the money lenders (sounds a bit biblical, doesn’t it?) sat. “Have I got a deal for you,” murmured our team boss, excitedly. “How’d you like to play with the big boys, get access to the big tracks, like Daytona?” Thereupon followed the pitch to take the money and flee to “where the big boys play,” delivered right there, over the top of Hindy’s, “The envelope please…and third place for tire manufacturers goes to….” So off they went to the World Center of Racing (before going belly up, of course).
Taken for a Ride
It seems Grand Am has its own “Mini Madoff,” as someone at the World Center called it yesterday. A “gentleman” driver (and car owner) gained the confidence of the paddock, and took millions in a Ponzi scheme, with the recently obligatory highly visible charity. After taking some big buck boat bozos, he got involved with racing to screw some rich racing rascals. JC is said to have been a particularly big loser. (No snickering, now.) A team owner wrote, “Holy cow…there are lawsuits, and all sorts of stories floating back and forth.” The alleged schemer says his “assets are frozen in a messy divorce.” Right.
Question of the Day from Daytona
Why would a Porsche factory driver be concerned about job security?
Wassachians
Yet another source said the team from the Wassach will not answer the bell. Yet another source has now said so.
Is the check in the mail? Or not?
With revenues diving, some say a check from the benefactor will “make it all better,” like mercurochrome on a skinned knee. Murphy hears that hasn’t happened lately, and won’t happen now. If so, significant revenue losses – from Audi, Porsche, and Michelin – will undoubtedly have impacts not yet recognized, won’t they? 1394 Broadway Avenue has denied there will be any change in the TV package.
Alpina Geneve
Murphy knows this is the age of disposable timepieces, but good grief, how many “official timekeepers” is that for the ALMS and its venues? Give up with the Rolex-chasing, already,
Deafening Silence
After comments from Braselton brass. About the return of a Spyder. About the advent of a manufacturer.
Moves
Banbury hoped to (re)place a Vantage program in North America, then abruptly may have gone after a piece of the Jaguar program. Regardless of declarations to the contrary, Subaru’s WRC withdrawal hurt. Robin Brundle is off to Lola. Why not? That may be where the Aston action is.
Prix Parted out
The Green Prix’s been “parted out.” Seems the old Reynards bought by Ben’s buffoonery are scattered all over Elan’s (very quiet) shops, and can’t be reassembled for want of hands (and heads) no longer on the rolls. A pay-to-play open wheel blog lays the collapse of EMT on the Green Prix’s collapse. That’s goofy. There’s logically far more to that story.
Leading Indicator
Cancellations at Four Points by Sheraton Chateau Elan overlooking the Safety Pin.
To the Bank
Jim Tafel, Esquire, will not race in 2009.
Not quite to the Bank
“ptgboss” says he’ll be back. Waiting for the announcement. Speaking of announcements, there haven’t been many, have there?
Tags: Alpina Geneve, Century Mortgage, Chateau Elan, Henri Zogaib, Penske, Porsche, Tafel