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murphythebear.comScurrilous Stuff! |
The General is Busy
Pratt & Miller is in pre-build engineering a Caddy for GM. What effect on other GM programs, if any? Seemingly nothing for ALMS fans, since Murphy’s been told that Corvette Racing (the Pratt & Miller American Le Mans Series program in its entirety, he believes) has been approved/funded by GM to race through the 2013 season. (more…)
Grand Am Throws a Party
Grand Am had a team owner’s meeting and cocktail reception on the 8th floor of the new ISC/NASCAR digs on International Speedway Boulevard last Thursday afternoonand evening. It’s probably where A.C. saw FIA chief Jean Todt accompanied by fiancé Bond Girl (Wai Lin, Tomorrow Never Dies) Michelle Yeow (right, at Cannes, credit Georges Baird). Todt is heading an FIA delegation, including American Nick Craw, on a “good will” tour – shoring up support amongst racing series and motoring club after AAA’s recent resignation.
With Bernie’s payments for F1 rights about to end with 89 years of exclusivity left (what dumbo wrote that contract?) the Frogs are facing a big ($35 million) hole in the budget. If others follow AAA out the door, things will be dire indeed. (more…)
A car that won’t race is just part of Jaguar’s problems. When your best finish (by far) in an ALMS race is last place, 36 laps behind the Porsche class winner, it can’t get much worse, can it? Sure it can. It did at Le Mans. (more…)
It’s been eerily quiet in the world of sports car racing lately. Poor Murphy really has to dig to find any poop at all. There’s always something, though. The Bear keeps hoping for rumors of new programs, new venues, new anything – but he’s had to settle for a silly looking kit car (see below). (more…)
Eeeee Yaaaaa! F1 in Texas?
The Bear was told this is a “15 minutes of fame” deal. Cash paid to Bernie (a kind of application fee to FOA), but unlikely to get much beyond that. The number to get the “purpose-built” facility entirely prepared (garages, spectator amenities, track, etc.)? Murphy was quoted “a quarter billion dollars.” (more…)