Grand Prix Rejects

the Masked Lapwing wrote:Once again, just before I do pre-quali:

1) Is ARC going to show up at Surfers, or will they wait (again...)?
2) Who is Watkinson driving for?

the Masked Lapwing wrote:Once again, just before I do pre-quali:

1) Is ARC going to show up at Surfers, or will they wait (again...)?
2) Who is Watkinson driving for?

F1RWRS Racing Association wrote:In recognition of the importance of the F1RWRS Indy 500, the FRA has decided that there shall be no pre-qualifying for the event, and all drivers who arrive with a chassis, engine and tyres are allowed to take part, up until 37 slots have been filled. It has also been decided that since the length of the race is so long, double points will be awarded, except for the bonus points for pole and fastest lap, which will be worth three points each. Another point for most laps led will also be awarded.

Autosport wrote:Following the withdrawal of National Australia Bank from HRT, the team shall officially be known as "Holden F1RWRS Racing Team" for the 2013 F1RWRS season. Holden and Holden Special Vehicles have increased their ownership of the team, and new sponsorship has arrived in the form of Telstra and Rockstar Energy Drinks. The team revealed their new livery on the HRT002, the 2012 car, in a special event in Melbourne:

The team also announced that Rhys Davies would return to the team, and there are unconfirmed reports of Ashley Watkinson staying with the team, after appearance replacing Davies at Brands Hatch and in the recent race at Surfers Paradise in place of Frank Zimmer. Other announcements included a change in tyre supplier, switching from Dunlop to Bridgestone, and the use of a smaller engine than this year, built once again by HSV.

Jeroen Krautmeir wrote:I think Daniel and I can agree that the car was, frankly, crap here. Acceleration and top speed were certainly not ideal, and the car was far too sensitive when it came to braking. Here's hoping it improves when we go to Eastern Creek.

Gary Cameron wrote:

My 2nd career win, I'm delighted of course! My decision to move teams mid-season has paid off massively, and I'd like to thank the Prospec team for their support ever since I joined them and especially their inspired strategy call today. I'm looking forward very much to my first full season at the team in 2012 and hopefully I'll be able to get back to championship contention.

Sammy Jones wrote:Another superb result this weekend, the team has been firing on all cylinders recently, and Chris' 2nd place and my 4th confirm that. I'm a little sad to not have made the podium with Chris, but that titanic battle for third was really great, I'd like to pay tribute to both Lon and Davies for such a spirited fight. The excellent news for us though is the big points haul has allowed Chris to open a 3 point gap in the drivers title, and we have a small cushion over AMR in the constructors. All I can say is I'm really really happy to see the development of my team over the years, to this point where we sit pretty on top of both championships. It's quite an emotional moment.

In other news, due to pressure from our as yet unannounced new title sponsor, we will be revealing details of the new car for 2013, the MJR-201, right after the next round of the championship.

Pippa Mann wrote:OK, I am upset and angry now. [Although it must be noted that it is not necessarily just towards Nathanael Spencer for the avoidable collision]. I was leading the Driver's Championship until recently and AMR was leading the Team's Championship. Maybe I am just not cut out for being an owner/driver after all. But I am NOT quitting as a driver just yet. I will continue to the end of this season to see where I end up driving-wise, but may have to concentrate on one or other of the roles next year, particualrly if either I or my team don't pull their full weight...

Douglas Mann wrote:Well, that was a bit uninspiring for me. But congratulations to Hagane for a points-finish. Not much to say really, is there.

Shinobu Katayama wrote:Well my race ended as quickly as it started, so I do not have much to say about it. I will however like to express a few words to the people back in Japan, who are recovering from the terrible earthquake and tsunami that took many lives, our thoughts are with you."

Barii Mori wrote:My thoughts go out to all the people in my homeland that have lost their lives, families and homes in the terrible earthquake and tsunami. I congratulate Shizuka for his points finish, this is all I have to say at this time.

Autosport wrote:The terrible tragedy that happened in Japan, may curtail the careers of Barii Mori, Shinobu Katayama and Hagane Shizuka as well as halt the prospects of Sunshine Infiniti. We understand that a few sponsors have already pulled out of the consortium as they feel that spending money in a sport when the country is in a bad way would be deemed inappropriate, however which sponsors is not currently known.

TEAM PHOENIX LEFT HIGH AND DRY

After the Japan earthquake, all of Team Phoenix's main sponsors have decided to flee because of the consequences of the disaster, namely the hit their finances have suffered. As well as that, Honda has also bailed out tired of working for a team that, accrding to his CEO, Takanobu Ito, is "disappointingly uncompetitive", in spite of the team scoring its first win this season at Belgium with Phoenix McAllister.

Furthermore, the career of their second driver, Barii Mori, is in deep trouble as well. Mori was unavailable for comment at the moment, but his situation at the team doesn't bode well since the team is now with financial issues and team owner and lead driver Phoenix McAllister admitted that "we will need a pay driver until we can find some sponsorship".

However, team principal Aguri Suzuki will keep his position as team principal.

Rumours of a possible association between Team Phoenix and VW Group through Porsche have arisen recently, but VW Group chairman Ferdinand Piëch told AUTOSPORT that "we are open to enter F1RWRS as an engine supplier and techincal partner through Prosche, but we want to wait a few races into the season to assess the situation." Piëch refused to answer comments about if McAllister approached him to support his team.

Autosport wrote:Holden to offer engines to Phoenix
After losing a major sponsor recently, HRT have announced that they will offer engines and support to any team that wants it - including Team Phoenix. As an added incentive, they will offer their new engine built by HSV, that they will enter for the 2013 season. Team principal Mark Skaife has said "We are pleased to offer support to the struggling Phoenix team. We understand that some of our drivers may not have been that friendly in the past, but we are trying to reconcile them with this deal. Our offer of engines to ArrowTech is also still on the table, although we have not heard back from the team regarding the offer."

Autosport wrote:Barii Mori fired.

Barii Mori has been let go by Aguri Suzuki from the Super Aguri team after Honda and Footwork pulled out due to the recent tragedies in Japan. Aguri Suzuki said "With no engine or sponsorship deal that Barii Mori brought to the team, he does not qualify for a seat on merit alone with Phoenix McAllister scoring nearly 5 times as many points in this stage of the season. We are currently looking at a pay driver to get us through the season while we find funding for the following season.". Barii Mori was quite understandable upset with the comments, saying "Suzuki san is talking a lot of rubbish, if I had a decent car I would have scored a lot more points, when I was competitive I was run into by idiot drivers who mainly drove for Yellow Rubber Duck Jones. Yes Phoenix did win this season but it was more on the part of bad luck by the drivers in front of him rather then skill on his part or the car. I am talking to Kahama Motor Sport to drive in the second seat on a race by race basis.". Kahama Motor Sport were unavailable for comment.

Although the team are engineless with the immediate withdrawal of Honda, they do have access to last seasons Mugen Honda engines and have been offered engines by Holden. The team is likely to be called Super Aguri Phoenix, with the withdrawal of Footwork too, there are rumours that Super Aguri is looking to sue Footwork and Honda for breach of contract, however in the current climate this would be seen in poor taste.

Nissan confirm entry for next season

Nissan have confirmed that they will be entering a 2 car team for the new season. Although they have said that a number of sponsors including Takara Tomy, Takeda and NTT Docomo have pulled out and a few others have reduced sponsorship amounts it will not affect their plans for the new season. The new team will be called Sunshine Infiniti and one of the drivers will be Shinobu Katayama who has impressed in the two races she has done with Australian Minardi. They are still after Hagane Shizuka as the lead driver but have offered a reserve lead drive to Dave Simpson which means if Shuzuka declines the drive then Simpson would be lead driver. Barii Mori was not even mentioned and it looks like he will struggle to find a seat for the next season.

Autosport wrote:BMW to offer engines to Phoenix

MRT's engine workshop in the former Toyota facility in Cologne is ready to supply the Phoenix team and others that will be affected by the earthquake and tsnumai in Japan. The BMW engines are reported to come with full technical support and the V10 engines will come with works status since both MRT and Horizon will use the V8 powerplants next year. MRT Technical DIrector WIlly Rampf said "First and foremost all our thoughts and prayers from MRT and O'Lauchlan Motorsport are with the people of Japan as they go through this traumaic event. The guys at the engine shop have done a brillant job this year supplying MRT, O'Lauchlan Motorsport and Australian Minardi and on personal orders from Daniel Melrose we are offering engines to Team Phoenix for next season as most of their sponsors and partners have left."

In other news O'Lauchlan Motorsports will run a 2nd car at Indianapolis as part of the larger entry list for the event. The 2nd car is to be driven by Frank Zimmer in the Shell liveried car shown to the public last month. O'Lauchlan's car will run with a different livery at Indianapolis which will be revealed later.

Phoenix McAllister wrote:I'm seriously considering both BMW and Holden offers. I'll take the one that offers official status as well as techincal support for my team. Remember that I am in talks with VW. I don't want any customer status bullshite. And, by the way, the team will be called Team Phoenix. And I'm still open to sign a pay driver while some sponsorship comes my way...

Sammy Jones wrote:I think I represent the majority of the paddock here in celebrating the news that the wise and sensible Aguri Suzuki has kicked Barii Mori out of his team. No longer will my team have to worry about the errant Japanese driver ruining our weekends, and hopefully Kahama have the brains to deny him point blank a seat for the remainder of the year. It is one less obstacle in our quest for the championships, and that's news I'll always welcome.

SuperAguri wrote:To the Masked Lapwing

Unless Kay Lon raises any objections then I would like to race for Kahama Motor Sport in the unused 2nd seat for the remainder of the season on a race by race basis, so he can sack me if I underperform or beat him by a large margin. If he does not before qualifying then I will make a press statement.

the Masked Lapwing wrote:..although if anyone wants to take them over, as happened with JLD, they can...

K. Lon wrote:Yeah, I've heard these rumours about Barii Mori coming to Kahama. To be honest, I really like the idea of him being my team mate. Guy has a pole position, alright, something you do not achieve without some talent. Furthermore, we need to groom talent. Why? I will get to that later, if you don't mind. Furthermore he could possibly aid me in my championship battle against Dagnall and Mann.

K. Lon wrote:Most certainly, another strong podium winish with Mann retiring. Unfortunately, I was not quite able to challenge Dagnall for second place which would have helped me a lot.

K. Lon wrote:I think I don't have to say much about Chris Dagnall, after all, he's a Formula 1 World Champion, a true legend of racing. If I could beat him it would perhaps be the single greatest achievement of my life. Now, regarding Mann: while I do have to try hard to restrain myself from petting her head like she's a cat every time I see her, I fully acknowledge she is a great racer and a serious threat to anyone out there.

K. Lon wrote:Oh, this is a good question. You are assured a big headline now. 'Cause if I do manage to win the championship this year, I will retire from racing. No questions asked with the Indy 500 being my last outing as a professional race car driver.

the Masked Lapwing wrote:That's fine by me, since I effectively own the team (although if anyone wants to take them over, as happened with JLD, they can. If they ask first)

Barii Mori wrote:Well I am happy to announce that I have joined the Kahama Motor Sports team for the rest of the season and I hope for next year as well. The KMS team have shown they are competitive and fast, last season I got a pole, a podium and 3, count them 1, 2, 3 fastest laps and I hope that I can use my talents in the team to score points, hopefully win races but more importantly help KMS win the constructors championship as well as supporting my team mate Kay Lon to win the championship. I would like to thank Phoenix McAllister for giving me a chance to race and last season was wonderful, Tom Walkinshaw really knew how to gel the team together and if he was still with us and with a few more races we might have had a serious title challenge, no disrespect to Aguri Suzuki but he could not manage a few drinks at a well stocked and free bar, KMS does seem a more professional team with an aero department that knows what a wing does. I am also sure that Sammy Jones did not win the race he won but in fact was the home help he requires, I hope he retires quietly at the end of the season else he might be sponsored by Helped the Aged. My aim for the next race is to outqualify and outrace McAllister and Jones.

Phoenix McAllister wrote:To Sammy Jones, with love: SCREW-YOU! The fact Barii Mori no longer drives for me doesn't mean I can attack you if you attack others. I really hope your engine blows up at the grid of each race so you'll spare all of us of having to deal with your erratic driving everytime you'll be lapped, which will be quite a lot, I'm sure. And Eddie Irvine says you're a fag and that Jaguar pit girls had all the cracks for him because you're uglier than Rubens Barrichello and that your excess of hair doesn't let you think proprerly because indeed your head was full of fuzz.

Sammy Jones wrote:In light of Mori's move to Kahama, I have one word. Bollocks. These kids keep getting so many chances these days Christ I had to work my way up in F1 through that godawful Arrows team and a Jaguar team that is so lacklustre that my career thread has plummeted down the boards and will probably never see the light of day again! And look at Mori, bragging about his fastest laps, well done sunshine but you're here thanks to your Japanese Yen, not talent!

As for you McAllister well I suppose the only way to keep your team in the headlines now Mori's buggered off is to just keep up the verbal attacks on me so keep 'em coming matey they fire up my crew a treat!

Phoenix McAllister wrote:You'll indeed need it, because I foresee a dire 2013 for you...How are you going to rename your team, tell me? RubberFail - Jones W12?

Klon wrote:- From the current points standing the title battle may look like a three-way between yourself, Pippa Mann and Chris Dagnall. What do you think of your championship contenders?

K. Lon wrote:I think I don't have to say much about Chris Dagnall, after all, he's a Formula 1 World Champion, a true legend of racing. If I could beat him it would perhaps be the single greatest achievement of my life. Now, regarding Mann: while I do have to try hard to restrain myself from petting her head like she's a cat every time I see her, I fully acknowledge she is a great racer and a serious threat to anyone out there.

Pippa Mann wrote:I'll show you what kind of cat I can be. Like this:

Douglas Mann wrote:Mr Lon, I would like to confirm my sister's testimony. This is symbolic of when we were growing up karting together. Please don't patronise her, otherwise it may turn ugly. I sincerely hope it doesn't, and she normally does save her rage for me, but you never can be too sure... By the way, she does hold you and Dagnall in high regard, and would love a clean fight, but if it is not reciprocated...

Barii Mori wrote:So Sammy Jones thinks I have no talent and am here as I have money, although I brought a sponsor and an engine deal and have helped Nissan get into F1, I am not a pay driver and won 3 championships in Formula Nippon as well as the Japanese and Italian F3 serieses. In F1RWRS, I have a pole and 3 fastest laps, those 3 fastest laps mean I am in a small band of 6 talented drivers that have managed to get 3 fastest laps or more. How many fastest laps has Mr OAP got? Could it be zero? How many poles has he got in his long career? None, what a surprise there... Also I have qualified for 75% of my races where as Jones has managed 73% and this includes the first season where you qualified for just turning up... How much money am i bringing to Kamaha Motor Sports? Nothing, they are hiring me on my talent alone. Mr Help the aged moans about having to work hard getting up to a half decent team, he is a journeyman and nothing else, his talented team mates have outdrove him since day 1 and he should hanhg up the keys before he embarasses himself anymore and leave this F1 game to talented 20 year olds.

Rhys Davies wrote:OK Barii, I'm gonna take Sammy's side. Who really cares about fastest laps? All that proves is that you are faster over one lap than over a race distance. And where are you in the championship? =20th? Whereas Jones is =9th. With a race win.

the Masked Lapwing wrote:I remember a time when there weren't any arguments. But this is better

dr-baker wrote:

the Masked Lapwing wrote:I remember a time when there weren't any arguments. But this is better

The Manns/Menn are only just starting to be dragged into their first - how did that happen?

Phoenix McAllister wrote:You'll indeed need it, because I foresee a dire 2013 for you...How are you going to rename your team, tell me? RubberFail - Jones W12?

Nicolas Steele wrote:Really? I see ArrowTech whatever having a dire 2013!

Everybody at ArrowTech, really wrote:>: (

the Masked Lapwing wrote:I remember a time when there weren't any arguments. But this is better

Jari Kekkonen wrote:I think Nicolas started this whole mess.

Sammy Jones wrote:Hey Mori! You're only in Kahama because the seat was free! That team is so lacklustre with two drivers no-one would touch that second seat with a 10ft barge pole, the only reason Lon has done well this season is because they've been able to put all their attention on him like a big spoilt baby so I wouldn't expect much from them for the rest of the year! And I wouldn't go gazing into your crystal ball just yet, I can confirm we have some pretty major backers for the upcoming season that will maintain us at the top of the pile, whilst you languish at the back, your Yen the only thing keeping you in the bucket of bolts that will be your car for whichever team makes the foolish mistake of taking you on. The best decision McAllister ever made was to fire you!

Phoenix McAllister wrote:Eeerm, Samuel, I didn't remember firing Barii. He just wanted to leave the team. Truth be told, I was not very happy with him having taken part in the creation of a rival team, but it was his decision. And what happened with your helmet, by the way? Seems like if someone left an omelette there just for fun. Anyawy, I am accepting the offer from BMW. Let's see how it pans out...And my second seat is still free, by the way...

SuperAguri wrote:

Autosport wrote:Barii Mori fired.

Barii Mori has been let go by Aguri Suzuki from the Super Aguri team after Honda and Footwork pulled out due to the recent tragedies in Japan....

Sammy Jones wrote:Autosport begs to differ McAllister! I Think you might want to have a word with Mr Suzuki!

AndreaModa wrote:

Sammy Jones wrote:Hey Mori! You're only in Kahama because the seat was free! That team is so lacklustre with two drivers no-one would touch that second seat with a 10ft barge pole, the only reason Lon has done well this season is because they've been able to put all their attention on him like a big spoilt baby so I wouldn't expect much from them for the rest of the year! And I wouldn't go gazing into your crystal ball just yet, I can confirm we have some pretty major backers for the upcoming season that will maintain us at the top of the pile, whilst you languish at the back, your Yen the only thing keeping you in the bucket of bolts that will be your car for whichever team makes the foolish mistake of taking you on. The best decision McAllister ever made was to fire you!