Grand Prix Rejects

Douglas Mann wrote:Wow, it's been about 6 races since my last podium so to get another is just what I need. Although, if Pippa had been right behind me, I wouldn't have thought twice to move over to give her a few more points for the championship. Good luck at Indy, Pip!

Pippa Mann wrote:I wish I could have done a bit better in the race today, but I still have a very good chance. It'll be a long race at Indy, so anything could happen!

Shizuka wrote:This race was an ultimate step up - a pole position and a second place is a really good result. Especially since Douglas finished third.
One race to go this season - let's finish it on a high note: MAN can finish fourth!

Wizzie wrote:Finally if it's alright with Aerond can I run a one-off invitational charity race at Twin-Ring Motegi as part of the fundrasing for the Japanese Earthquake and Tsnuami after the Indy 500? If it's allowed there will be 22 spots avaliable and each team has an option to enter either 1 or 2 cars. Horizion Motorsports will not be attending the race but MRT will enter one car for Nathaniel Spencer.

Autosport wrote:Melrose admitted in Hospital

On his way out of the circuit Daniel Melrose collasped in the paddock earlier shortly after a discussion with the incoming president of the F1 Rejects World Council Daniel Prieto. He was taken to the medical centre before being airlifted to a hospital in San Francisco. Doctors won't disclose what caused the collaspe but rumour has it that it has to do something with all the 200 mile an hour shunts Melrose has had in the past week. Melrose has already announced he would miss Indianapolis but this throws the three time F1 World Champion's career into doubt beyond the immediate future.

Sammy Jones wrote:Well I'm happy that we both managed to collect more points for our championship hopes but both myself and Chris were hoping for a little bit more today, particularly as Rhys won and both AMR cars scored well too. Going into the final race at Indy, I have every faith in Chris that he will deliver the result, and I'm confident that together we can sccop the constructors' title too. It's nerve-wracking but I'm very excited that in only our second year of existence, after such a disappointing season last year, we have been able to bounce back and challenge right at the very front of both titles. Hopefully our efforts will be rewarded!

Wizzie wrote:Group Lotus - Dr Baker (I think)

The Fox wrote:Good news, ArrowTech is now racing with Honda engines next year! Not Mugen Honda, regular Honda engines!
Also, has anyone seen Domenico Schiattarella?

Aerond wrote:Ok good; I wanted to bring this out since I would prefer noone to manage more than two teams at once.

dr-baker wrote:

Aerond wrote:Ok good; I wanted to bring this out since I would prefer noone to manage more than two teams at once.

Cunning. You could have just asked me though, I wouldn't have minded...
And if you look at the link to 'my' results in the link in my signature, you would see absolutely no mention of Lotus at all...

Ashley Watkinson wrote:NAB-HRT are in a really good position now after the Laguna Seca race. Rhys' win was incredible, it's not easy to win there, a real driver challenge, but he managed to pick off the 4 guys starting in front of him. We've now got a real chance to bring home the Constructors' title, and I will very proud if as a team, we manage to do that.

My race was obviously entirely different to Rhys' as it was over before it had really begun. Daniel managed to launch his car off the back of mine before turn 1. I understand that there is a crest there but the closing speed was far too much for it to have been solely down to the crest. I think he is used to starting from the front and being able to pick his own braking spot. Anyway, I visited him at hospital, but we can't really say anything yet. He can be fine one moment, but then in the next... well I don't want to talk about anything until we get anything official.

Autosport wrote:Philippe Nicolas to drive MRT at Indianapolis

Amid the reports that 22 year old Frenchman Philippe Nicolas has been signed on as Precision Motorsports Test driver, Nicolas' career took another step for the better as he was signed on for a one-off drive at MRT to replace Daniel Melrose who is reported to be in a stable condition at a hospital in San Francisco. Neither Nicolas nor his teammate Jeroen Krautmeir were avaliable for comment. In addition to that Nicolas may become the pernament 2nd driver at MRT should Melrose be unfit to drive next season.

Blake Ledger, MRT PR Officer wrote:Alex Zanardi, Ashley Watkinson and I visited Melrose at the University of California San Fransisco Medical Centre and he is in a stable condition. He and Alex even shared a few jokes which shows that his renowned sense of humour hasn't left him. As well all know he won't be racing at Indianapolis but beyond that we really don't know what will happen. With so much big accidents in such a small space of time there's too many possibilities as to what damage has been done. So far doctors have discoved hairline fractures in his right ankle with the cause stated to be his first crash on the second day of testing as well as an aggrivation of an old back injury from his karting days due to being collected by O'Lauchlan on the afternoon of the second day. The medical staff said they won't be able to get a full assessment of his condition and the damage he's suffered until tomorrow. Regardless of that here at MRT all our thoughts and prayers are with him to make a full recovery and drive the car next season.

Equipe de course Belge press release
After a very disappointing season this year despite scoring our team's third victory and Thomas' first, our team would like to announce that Tony Gillet will step up his involvement in the team, effectively replacing ECB's current team prinicpal, former driver André Milhoux, who's increasing age has led to a well-deserved retirement.

The deal effectively makes our team the works Gillet team. The Belgian car manufacturer's sales have experienced a downturn in recent times, and they are looking to increase their investment in the country's national team. The deal will bring an additional £5 million in funds and an additional name change.

While Equipe de Course Belge confirmed a name change for next season to Ecurie Nationale Belge in honour of the team's founder Jacques Swaters, the lack of funds and the additional investment from Gillet will see the team renamed Gillet Ecurie de Course Belge.

Additionally, our team has decided to formally announce that both Aurelien and Thomas will enter the non-championship race at Motegi to hone their oval skills additionally to the Indy 500.

Wizzie wrote:So who's in for the non-championship at Motegi? So far I've decided it'll be a 100 lap race around the oval with the 2003 Champ Car mod. Hopefully it will be done between the Malaysian and Chinese Grand Prix as I have too much schoolwork to get through to run the thing before then. (Will it be alright with you Aerond if you could delay pre-season testing for 2013 until after the Chinese GP?)

Wizzie wrote:So who's in for the non-championship at Motegi? So far I've decided it'll be a 100 lap race around the oval with the 2003 Champ Car mod. Hopefully it will be done between the Malaysian and Chinese Grand Prix as I have too much schoolwork to get through to run the thing before then. (Will it be alright with you Aerond if you could delay pre-season testing for 2013 until after the Chinese GP?) There are 22 spots available and so far *insert approrpiate number here* have been filled.

Entries:
N. Spencer (MRT)
T. De Bock (Gillet)
A. Moll (Gillet)

Phoenix McAllister wrote:I myself will be there to test the first version of our new chassis. If Jari wants to be there too I'd very glad. I'd like to clock some mileage with the new car.

Aerond wrote:

Wizzie wrote:So who's in for the non-championship at Motegi? So far I've decided it'll be a 100 lap race around the oval with the 2003 Champ Car mod. Hopefully it will be done between the Malaysian and Chinese Grand Prix as I have too much schoolwork to get through to run the thing before then. (Will it be alright with you Aerond if you could delay pre-season testing for 2013 until after the Chinese GP?)

I can´t see any other way since I need some preparation even before pre-season testing. I´ll need to keep some conversation with the participants though, if you don´t mind, that is.

Sammy Jones wrote:Marlboro-Jones Racing would be delighted to take up the opportunity of running for the first time at Motegi, with both Sammy Jones and Chris Dagnall. Whilst the car will be an effectively re-painted RTJ-101 in the Marlboro scheme, it'll be nonetheless great to see the new paintjob in action prior to testing the MJR-201 for the 2013 season.

Sunshine Infiniti Spokesperson wrote:For what will be a Japanese race, Nissan will be entering the Sunshine Infiniti SI-1I an interm version of next years car into the Motegi non championship race, Shinobu Katayama will be one of the drivers entered and we would like to offer the first car to Shizuka Hagane as a pre season test, so he can judge if next seasons car will have promise and we have already made him and his management team a very generous offer in terms of wages and sponsorship deals, even if he does this race he will be half a million dollars richer. Dave Simpson can race in the Australian Minardi car if he so wishes and the team will support him.

Shinobu Katayama wrote:Well the last race was disappointing, the course was far too rough for F1 cars and the ride height had to be set very high and the suspension was rattling the fillings out of my teeth everytime the car landed over the crest, still I think the next race we will do better. Looking forward to going to Motegi as it is in my backyard, I am from Ibaraki and my home couse is Tsukuba so Motegi is just down the road. Great excuse to see the family.

Autosport wrote:Melrose out for entire pre-season

After a medical assessment by doctors at the University of California San Fransisco Medical Center, Daniel Melrose has been ruled out of any pre-season testing for the 2013 F1 Rejects World Race Series Season. The 28 year old is hopeful to return to the drivers seat before the first round of the season which is rumoured to be either Melbourne or Adelaide.

Autosport wrote:Phillipe Nicolas signed as MRT test driver

22 year old Frenchman Phillipe Nicolas has been officially signed on as MRT thrid driver after the news that Melrose would be out for all of pre-season testing. Nicolas will share testing duties with 2011 champion Nathaniel Spencer as the team tries to rebound from their disappointing 2012 season. The Frenchman is already scheduled to drive the second MRT at Indianapolis as a result of Melrose's problems. The pundits believe that the new MRT deal could be a stepping stone to a long-term future at Precision Motorsports after 2013. Nicolas was unavaliable for comment but Willy Rampf told Autosport that "Phillipe is a bright young talent and with a driving style similar to Daniel he can help develop the car along with Nathaniel." On whether Nicolas will get any running beyond Pre-Season testing Rampf said "It is too early to tell right now. All that's confirmed is he will drive the M3 at Indianapolis and the M4 during pre-season testing. As it stands a race drive is unlikely but it is possible. Whether it'll be with us, the sister operation Horizon or with the Porsche-led consortium is still up in the air."

Autosport wrote:Horizon to use M4 next season

The Horizon Motorsport team will use the same 2013 chassis that MRT will be using next season. Horizon Technical Director Hiroshi Matsumoto said "I am delighted with the deal between us and MRT. However even though we are running the same package as the MRTs we have a much smaller operation than the works team so realistically all we can aim for is regular lower-points finish and podiums in races of attrition." Dean O'Lauchlan said "As you can all see the M2 works brilliantly on ovals. With the M4 we can build on what we've learnt in our first season and make the transition from privateer to fully functioning team a succsessful one."

Daniel Martins wrote:I wish to say that I have faith that the ArrowsTech management will find a solution for the team current crisis. I am still part of the team and I will absolutely drive at Montegi as well as next year. It is important for us to focus on the car and nothing else in order to move up the field. That is what is happening and the boys back in the factory all have this in mind and they are doing a great job. We are working hard. The team gave me a chance to drive in F1RWRS and it is not when things are a bit awry that I will turn my back on them. Expect us to return strong next year!

Jeroen Krautmeir wrote:Precision to run Cannon at Motegi

Precision Motorsports has confirmed that it will field Damon Cannon in the non championship race at the Twin Ring Motegi track. "We are happy to announce that Damon Cannon will be running for Precision Motorsports at Motegi," Wilhelm Krautmeir said in a statement. "The team has bought an MRT M2O chassis, and will run it for Damon." Jeroen Krautmeir, the lead driver, will not be present at the race, and will be conducting more tests on the PRM01 back in Germany. "Jeroen will not be present in Japan, and will be back at home testing and developing the PRM01."

Damon Cannon wrote: This is excellent news! I had just been told by my friend Richie that the Group Lotus was a complete bathplug up of a car, and that it would struggle immensly. This means I can get myself used to my new team crew, and get a feel for what the PRM01 will be like for next season.

Shizuka wrote:I'd like to enter with the Sunshine Infiniti team then for this race, if that's possible. Douglas?

Douglas Mann wrote:There does seem to be some interest in your services. If you wish to persue them, go ahead. After all, Pippa and I are reducing our two teams down to one, and while my teammate is yet to be confirmed, you are free to sign with whomever you wish.