Crickets
Although he’s been busy with some other things lately, it’s not the only reason Murphy’s been mostly absent in October. The fact is that there’s little going on in the sports car world, which, the Bear has to point out, is news in itself (though not of the kind to put words on the page).
Eerily quiet, is how one friend described it – that coming after another insider predicted this winter would be among the most challenging for racing in decades. Murphy didn’t say “competitive,” he said “challenging.” There’s a big difference.
Max’s Traveling Circus
Like, for instance, over in the pinnacle of the sport (no, the Bear doesn’t mean you guys down in Daytona). The teams’ “win” against Max has turned out to be Pyrrhic for those teams owned by or otherwise associated with manufacturers, anyway. Honda and BMW took a hike, followed by Toyota – the latter of which Murphy predicted long before the fact – then Mercedes dumped long-time-partner McLaren (and they even own a bit of the Brit team founded by the New Zealand racing icon). Brawn sold out to Mercedes. Look for Renault’s departure, too, as soon as they get over the idea that – as signatory to the new concord (English spelling) – It will cost them a pile of Euros.
Erosion
That’s not to say that the stockers are doing much better. The Bear tuned flicked through the channel carrying its recent Texas stop. Must have been something else going on in the Lone Star State, given the vast expanses of empty seats in Fort Worth.
Mixed News
Over in sports car racing, the little bit of news we got was decidedly mixed. Highcroft confirmed its 2010 plans, one HPD ARX-01c (you’ll notice Murphy didn’t say “Acura”), while hoping for funding (who isn’t?) for another. On the “not-so-happy” side, that’s as clear an “announcement” as you’re going to get that de Ferran will not return. The Bear is joining the Pollyannas buying into the Peugeot rumors, not yet, anyway. He might take all that a bit more seriously once it’s clear Gil has funding in place for the IRL team that’s his first priority. Besides, the most credible rumor Murphy’s heard is for a Mexican Pesca connection. (Not to be confused with La Pesca, Tamaulipas, Mexico.) If de Ferran shows up with a Peugeot any time during 2010, well, Murphy will just have to eat crow.
Family Laundry
A family racing conglomerate is doing everything it can to keep documents and arguments in a North Carolina divorce fight sealed. Lawyers for the famous principal in the case say publicizing certain information would turn the case into a “public spectacle” and “would cause huge adverse effects” for their client. Murphy’s heard more, but he’s going to leave you to your own devices on this one. Google at your own risk.
Since we’re on the topic of La Familia, Murphy spent some time at Seaside’s Embassy Suites bar with the racing-driver-linebacker-weight-lifter-brawler and his lovely companion a while back, so he was a bit puzzled to read Hurley’s co-driver was rooming with a not-quite relative (son of his father’s first wife – no, that doesn’t make him a “half-brother”). What happened to the lovely thing? Perhaps just put-them-off-the-scent eye candy, like Megan?
Advertising
Murphy wrote earlier that Comprent (the Athens, Jaw Jaw, operator of IMSA Lites) might field a pair of LMPC’s – perhaps even had a purchase in the works. That was premature, since this week they ran an ad for funding disguised as a press release. The Bear translate for you: “We’d like to buy one if we had the money. Can anyone help? You can drive.” A page borrowed from Creation. So that’s not good news. A friend of the Bear’s says there will be four Challenge LMPs on the grid in 2010, but now Murphy’s not so sure. Intersport is in, though a second driver who would complete the necessary funding hasn’t been named; it’s been speculated that no money has yet changed hands there. Kevin in Florida is said to be another “for sure.” (Murphy’s a fan of Kevin and Kevin’s kid, who’s been doing too much skiing and too little driving lately.) With Comprent not yet “in” that’s just two. The Bear wonders what the lead time to build one of those things is?
Holiday Shopping
Hinting that not all is as it should be for a well-known Grand Am team, a very important driver is shopping for a ride. That shouldn’t be problem since he’s that most valuable rarity – a really good driver with a completely adequate budget.
McDreamy
Team Seattle and Hyper Sport / Dempsey Racing will continue the alliance forged around its 2009 Le Mans entry, with two cars for Daytona and the remainder of the Grand Am season. “Beginning in the American Le Mans Series in a factory-backed Panoz GTLM, Hyper Sport has advanced into Grand Am sanctioned road racing…” That reads like former Panoz driving school instructor Joe Foster has joined the growing ranks of disaffected former PMG employees? Who remembers Joe’s pinch-hit drive for an injured Bill Auberlen at Mosport? It took real talent to make BMW’s M3 GT-R look slow.
Ferrari Debut
Murphy’s been saying you could expect a Ferrari F430 on Daytona’s grid. It will be later than that. Since Daytona can be 1/3 of an annual Grand Am budget, it’s more cost effective to test in a new program, then debut at a sprint.
Not Happening
Another item in the “behind the lines” category (with the Highcroft and Comprent pressers). We heard this week that Braselton’s Boss Hog would be headlining a green confab at Clemson (Go Tigers). How does that put cars on the grid? Build excitement? Find a title sponsor? Short answer: It doesn’t. Maybe he’s angling for a bail-out?
In the meantime, for those of you keeping score at home, subtract at least $3 – $5 million from television and partner income from the Series’ bottom line for the continuing attrition of manufacturer participation in 2010. That’s what the Bear hears, anyway.
Murphy will be back with his First Annual Great Christmas Quiz next.
Tags: Comprent, Creation, Daytona, de Ferran, Ferrari, Formula 1, Highcroft, Mercedes, Patrick Dempsey, Pescarolo, Peugeot, Team Seattle
Gee Mr. Bear, what a whole bunch of really good news! If we’re not careful we’ll start getting depressed before Christmas. On the other hand, how much worse can it get?