Grand Prix Rejects

I'll have Team Kiwi Triple F Racing.

I'll offer Andy Neate for free.

I'll take Paul Wheel Racing then. I don't know much about V8 Supercars yet, so I think I'll better take a small team.

I'm going into this just like BCS and Ataxia.

I'll take Britek Motorsport, and offer David Reynolds $250k and Colin Turkington $300k to drive. If I get one of these two, but not the other, Jason Bright (the owner) will drive.

darkapprentice77 wrote:I'll have Team Kiwi Triple F Racing.

I'll offer Andy Neate $200k.

You're paying Andy Neate? You should be getting that much from him, at least.

East Londoner wrote:I'm going into this just like BCS and Ataxia.

I'll take Britek Motorsport, and offer David Reynolds $250k and Colin Turkington $300k to drive. If I get one of these two, but not the other, Jason Bright (the owner) will drive.

Not sure Turkington would go for that; remember, 2009 is his championship year in the BTCC.

I'll (reluctantly) take Kelly. Any V8S driver database websites so I can find one?

FMecha wrote:I'll (reluctantly) take Kelly. Any V8S driver database websites so I can find one?

You could just use Wikipedia.

Paul Morris for me...

Japanese GT 500 driver Ralph Firman for 150K
Russell Ingall for 550K
If Firman rejects then I go to Steve Owen for 200K.
Paul Morris for enduro events only.

BlindCaveSalamander wrote:

darkapprentice77 wrote:I'll have Team Kiwi Triple F Racing.

I'll offer Andy Neate $200k.

You're paying Andy Neate? You should be getting that much from him, at least.

Indeed. For the purposes of this, Neate will be considered a paydriver. And a pretty useless one at that

And for everyone's reference, the following drivers can drive at the following teams for free as owner-drivers or as a family member driving for their team:

Mark Skaife - HRT (Enduro only)
Jack Perkins - Perkins Engineering
Brad Jones - BJR (Enduro only)
Andrew Jones - BJR
Greg Murphy: Greg Murphy Racing
Todd Kelly - Kelly Racing
Rick Kelly - Kelly Racing (In the case of Kelly Racing though, if you sign both, you have to pay for one of them in the interests of fairness)
Dean Fiore - Triple F
Jason Bright - Britek
Paul Morris - Paul Morris Motorsport (Enduro only)

However, just because they're willing to drive for free for their own teams doesn't mean that they won't consider other offers.

Alright, driver front

I'll offer 500k to both Jason Bargwanna and James Courtney

I'd like BJR please. Time to begin our own era of 'BJRWINSLOL'. We'll run a pair of Holdens. Drivers to be confirmed later.

Samster wrote:I'd like BJR please. Time to begin our own era of 'BJRWINSLOL'. We'll run a pair of Holdens. Drivers to be confirmed later.

I heard Andrew Jones is free so it means you can outbid most teams for the other slot, ahaha!

Stramala wrote:I'd like to take charge of Walkinshaw Motorsport.

Dumbrell and Reynolds can f*** off, we're getting new drivers instead. We'll offer The Enforcer $250K and former BTCC champion James Thomposon $250K as well. Failing that, our backup choices are Fabian Coulthard at $150K, and then Jonathon Webb $100K as well.

I've taken Ingall up to $550K... Time for Coulthard.

Andrew Jones for the #12. So we'd like to offer 800k to Craig Lowndes for the #8.

Onxy Wrecked wrote:

Samster wrote:I'd like BJR please. Time to begin our own era of 'BJRWINSLOL'. We'll run a pair of Holdens. Drivers to be confirmed later.

I heard Andrew Jones is free so it means you can outbid most teams for the other slot, ahaha!

The thing one has to remember for Andrew Jones is that he's pretty shite at the best of time

Onxy Wrecked wrote:

Stramala wrote:I'd like to take charge of Walkinshaw Motorsport.

Dumbrell and Reynolds can f*** off, we're getting new drivers instead. We'll offer The Enforcer $250K and former BTCC champion James Thomposon $250K as well. Failing that, our backup choices are Fabian Coulthard at $150K, and then Jonathon Webb $100K as well.

I've taken Ingall up to $550K... Time for Coulthard.

Except that Walkinshaw Performance, running out of the same factory as HRT, are a far superior team than PMM, and if the Enforcer has any sense, will forget about the money and move to the better team

Stramala wrote:Except that Walkinshaw Performance, running out of the same factory as HRT, are a far superior team than PMM, and if the Enforcer has any sense, will forget about the money and move to the better team

I could always find another driver if the money doesn't pan out and probably a cheaper option as well.

A provisional calender for 2009 has been released and it is as follows:

1. Clipsal 500 - Adelaide (2 x 78 lap races, 36 car grid)
2. Qantas Grand Prix Challenge - Albert Park (3 x 15 lap races, 32 car grid)
3. Xbox 360 Challenge - Symmons Plains (3 x 50 lap races, 32 car grid)
4. ITM Auckland 300 - Pukekohe (3 x 36 lap races, 32 car grid)
5. Christchurch 300 - Ruapuna Park (1 x 30 lap, 1 x 60 lap races, 36 car grid)*
6. Skycity Triple Crown - Hidden Valley Raceway (3 x 42 lap races, 32 car grid)
7. Sucrogen Townsville 400 - Townsville Street Circuit (2 x 72 lap races, 32 car grid)
8. Toll Brisbane Cup - Lakeside Raceway (1 x 42 lap, 2 x 50 lap races, 32 car grid)*
9. Bigpond Canberra 400 - Canberra Street Circuit (2 x 26 lap, 1 x 52 lap races, 36 car grid)*
10. L&H Sandown 500 - Sandown Raceway (1 x 161 lap race, 40 car grid)
11. SuperCheap Auto Bathurst 1000 - Mount Panorama (1 x 161 lap race, 40 car grid)
12. ArmorAll Gold Coast 500 - Surfers Paradise (1 x 112 lap race, 36 car grid)
13. Caterpillar 360 - Barbagallo Raceway (3 x 50 lap races, 32 car grid)
14. The Island 300 - Phillip Island Raceway (1 x 23 lap, 1 x 45 lap races, 32 car grid)
15. Midas 300 - Winton Raceway (3 x 34 lap races, 32 car grid)
16. Sydney Telstra 400 - Oran Park Raceway (2 x 77 lap races, 36 car grid)

*To be confirmed

I would like to take control of the Ford Rising Stars team. No idea who I am going to sign to drive for us, though.

You don't have Eastern Creek yet want to go to Canberra?! HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!

the Masked Lapwing wrote:You don't have Eastern Creek yet want to go to Canberra?! HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!

What's new?

Seriously though, I can't find a copy of Eastern Creek anywhere for the time being. So I'll have to make do with what I've got.

Wizzie wrote:

the Masked Lapwing wrote:You don't have Eastern Creek yet want to go to Canberra?! HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!

What's new?

Seriously though, I can't find a copy of Eastern Creek anywhere for the time being. So I'll have to make do with what I've got.

BUT IT'S CANBERRA! Surely there are a billion better places than that? Wakefield? Mallala? Calder? Even Bahrain, no one will freeze over there!

(For those who are unaware, the Canberra Street Circuit was our own version of Valencia, except much, much colder)

The mixture of formats confuses me for some reason. I guess it is just me being dumb though.

Wizzie wrote:Todd Kelly - Kelly Racing
Rick Kelly - Kelly Racing (In the case of Kelly Racing though, if you sign both, you have to pay for one of them in the interests of fairness)

However, just because they're willing to drive for free for their own teams doesn't mean that they won't consider other offers.

I will automatically sign both.

I'll take Rod Nash Racing if they're still available I'll make drivers offers when I actually know who's decent and who's not. Ignorance is bliss

I'll take Paul Cruickshank Racing and offer Mika Salo $150k to run

All drivers must be real drivers that would at least remotely consider driving a V8 supercar (Although that second criteria will be relaxed for enduro drivers)

And if that is a too big of a problem(which IMO isn't, as Salo drove at Gold Coast in 2011 and 2012 and has said that he likes the cars), could someone suggest some good drivers?

Vepe wrote:

All drivers must be real drivers that would at least remotely consider driving a V8 supercar (Although that second criteria will be relaxed for enduro drivers)

And if that is a too big of a problem(which IMO isn't, as Salo drove at Gold Coast in 2011 and 2012 and has said that he likes the cars), could someone suggest some good drivers?

Paul Dumbrell, Michael Patrizi and Tony D'Alberto

Remember guys, you have just over 24 hours to make your first round of offers.

I'll offer $350 K for Winterbottom and around $300 K for the Giz.

Put me down for Greg Murphy Racing please.

I'm going attempt to snap up the outgoing Paul Dumbrell with an offer of $200k and team owner Greg Murphy free of charge (even though he annoys me and I'll probably end up sacking him )

I'll also offer Jack Perkins $50k as a reserve driver.

500k for both Todd and Rick, each.

Stramala wrote:I'd like to take charge of Walkinshaw Motorsport.

Dumbrell and Reynolds can f*** off, we're getting new drivers instead. We'll offer The Enforcer $250K and former BTCC champion James Thomposon $250K as well. Failing that, our backup choices are Fabian Coulthard at $150K, and then Jonathon Webb $100K as well.

I am making a change to this.

Our new offer structure will be this;
1. Whincup - $750K
2. Will Davison $450K
3. The Enforcer - $350K
4. The Giz - $350K
5. Thommo - $250K
6. Fab - $150K
7. Webbo - $100K
8. Wall-E - $50K

Stramala wrote:2. Davison $450K

That's Will Davison I assume?

eurobrun wrote:

Stramala wrote:2. Davison $450K

That's Will Davison I assume?

I always forget about Alex...

Stramala wrote:

eurobrun wrote:

Stramala wrote:2. Davison $450K

That's Will Davison I assume?

I always forget about Alex...

That's not really that hard, Alex Davison is neither good nor bad enough to be relevant half the time

Also, Walkinshaw Performance would like to sign Steve Owen and Cameron McConville as enduro drivers if they don't get full-time rides.

Giz for 650K, will abandon all pursuit of Ingall the Enforcer
Steve Owen for 100K


Ralph Firman is my option for a Giz failure at 100K
Paul Morris and Matt Halliday for Enduro

With the deadline come and gone, it's time to start the first round of driver decisions. It'll be done in groups of 10 to make for slightly easier reading, and to inflate my already ridiculous post count.

GARTH TANDER (81)
Garth has been part of Walkinshaw furniture since moving over from GRM at the end of 2004. Despite failing to retain the title last year, he is very happy to remain at HRT, and he finds the offer to be a very good one indeed.

1-100: Stay at HRT (700k)

WILL DAVISON (62)
Will on the other hand is looking for a new home after leaving DJR at the end of 2008. HRT were quick to make an attractive offer to the young gun in place of the retiring Mark Skaife, but the increasingly unpredictable management at the new Walkinshaw B-team have also offered him a seat at a lower price.

1-85: Stay at HRT (600k)
86-100: Go to Walkinshaw (450k)

As expected, Will Davison signs for the works Walkinshaw team, giving HRT a full lineup for 2009.

LEE HOLDSWORTH (41)
GRM have always been renowned for bringing new talent into V8 Supercars, and Garry has found another potential superstar in the form of Lee Holdsworth. The young Victorian has been adding consistency to his pace over the last few years, and both he and Garry are happy to continue together heading into 2009. In fact, Lee considers the offer so attractive, he is considering offering his services for a second year at the same initial price.

1-60: Stay at GRM (250k)
61-100: Stay at GRM for two years (250k)

In the end, Holdsworth settles for the one year deal but Garry looks like he might get away with a massively discounted price for Holdsworth in 2010

MICHAEL CARUSO (45)
2008 was a solid debut year for Caruso and GRM, and like Holdsworth, both he and Garry Rogers are happy to continue their arrangement heading into 2009 and beyond. Like Holdsworth, he is considering a multi-year deal at the current price, which would be a massive coup for the Sydneysider

1-40: Stay at GRM (250k)
41-100: Stay at GRM for two years (250k)

He very nearly decided against it, but Michael Caruso decides that long-term stability to his career is more important than the money, and signs a two year deal with GRM

ALEX DAVIDSON (29)
The older brother of Will is as true a journeyman as you could possibly get. With all the change going on at Stone Brothers Racing, Ross and Jimmy Stone have plumped for the safe and reliable hands of Alex to replace the outgoing James Courtney. Like the two GRM drivers, he is considering a two year deal at the price he's been given

1-70: Go to Stone Brothers (300k)
71-100: Go to Stone Brothers for two years (300k)

He decides against the two year contract, stating that he wants to keep his options open for 2010 and beyond.

FABIAN COULTHARD (55)
Like GRM, Stone Brothers are renowned for taking young drivers and turning them into superstars. With their two former young guns James Courtney and Shane van Gisbergen leaving for other pastures, the Stones have decided to go for another young Kiwi in the form of Fabian Coutlhard. While he has also recieved an offer from Walkinshaw, Fabian looks like he's more likely to join the Stones in the famous #9 car.

1-80: Go to Stone Brothers (300k)
81-100: Go to Walkinshaw (150k)

With a rather generous offer from Stone Brothers, Fabian Coutlhard goes to Stone Brothers, as expected

MARK WINTERBOTTOM (73)
Mark Winterbottom has been at FPR since 2006, and he sounds pissed off at them. Mostly because he feels that the offer FPR have given him is so crap he's seriously considering walking out of the team after finishing runner-up in the title to Whincup with them last year.

1-55: Stay at FPR (350k)
56-100: Wait for a better offer

Frosty has given the team until the second and final round of offers to make a move. He will look at potentially joining other teams in the meantime

JAMIE WHINCUP (30)
Amazingly, reigning champion Jamie Whincup has only received one offer so far from Walkinshaw as Triple 8 take the gamble of keeping their cards close to their chest. While JDub is more trusting of Triple 8 than Lowndes, with the rumours that Ford have snubbed the team and seeing the potential of going to HRT through Walkinshaw, Whincup is giving the offer some thought.

1-70: Wait for an offer from Triple 8
71-100: Go to Walkinshaw (750k)

JDub eventually goes for the safer option and wait to see what Triple 8 does before making his next move

SHANE VAN GISBERGEN (75)
While he's still only 19 years old, his performance at Sandown last year caught the eyes of many team owners, including Ford Performance Racing and the Walkinshaw B-Team. While Paul Morris has made easily the biggest offer to the Giz, the fact that he could potentially have works-spec FPRs or Walkinshaws hasn't slipped his mind in the slightest.

1-45: Go to Paul Morris (650k)
46-70: Go to FPR (300k)
71-100: Go to Walkinshaw (350k)

And Walkinshaw have scored a massive coup by signing the Kiwi young gun for 2009. Whether he'll drive the #10 Autobahn car or #24 Bundy Red machine will be decided later

JAMES COURTNEY (26)
For whatever reason, Stone Brothers didn't try to keep on Courtney for 2009, and if the rumours are to be believed, it was because Courtney's wage demands were too high for their liking. Someone who was willing to pay his exorbitant fees is Dick Johnson, who has made probably the biggest offer of the silly season to try and get the former Jaguar test driver. Tasman Motorsport has also made a smaller offer to replace the outgoing Greg Murphy but considering he'll get his hands on a brand new Triple 8 FG Falcon at DJR, it looks unlikely that he'll accept the Tasman offer.

1-80: Go to DJR (850k)
81-100: Go to Tasman (500k)

And as expected, Courtney accepts the big money and goes to DJR for 2009

Here's the next group of 10 drivers:

MAT JACKSON (87)
With Steven Johnson looking like he'll do the enduros only for DJR, father Dick has taken a massive gamble of signing the recently unemployed Mat Jackson. The 2008 BTCC runner up doesn't particularely want to come down under but with the BTCC grid filling up fast, he is willing to take the plunge Down Under with a competitive team like DJR.

1-65: Go to DJR (200k)
66-100: Stay in the UK and offer to drive for DJR in the enduros only (50k)

He decides to wait out a little longer and hope that he can find a job that keeps him in the UK while allowing him to do the enduros. Failing that, he will reconsider a full-time V8 Supercars campaign depending on what revised offers DJR and other teams give him. However, he is willing to join DJR immediately for the enduros later this year.

RUSSELL INGALL (95)
The Enforcer heads into 2009 with an offer from Walkinshaw, having seen Paul Morris Motorsport publically sack him in the off-season. While the 2005 champion isn't entirely satisfied with the offer, he knows that time is not on his side so it looks likely that he'll take up the offer on the table.

1-75: Go to Walkinshaw (350k)
76-100: Wait for a better offer from Walkinshaw

Against conventional wisdom, Ingall decides to wait and see whether Walkinshaw comes to the table with a slightly better price. However, whether the second seat will be available by the time they have an opportunity to reopen negotiations remains to be seen.

JAMES THOMPSON (6)
The two-time BTCC champion has been put out of a job with the withdrawal of N-Technology from the WTCC, and has recieved a very enticing offer from Walkinshaw for 2009. While it is guaranteed that he'll do the enduros for somebody regardless of his plans, he, like Jackson, is slightly apprehensive of taking the gamble in such a highly-competitive series like the V8s, which has been notoriously difficult for international superstars to get their heads around.

1-65: Go to Walkinshaw full time (250k)
66-100: Offer to drive for Walkinshaw in the enduros only (50k)

Ingall's gamble has backfired badly, as James Thompson will pair up with Shane van Gisbergen for the 2009 V8 Supercar season with Walkinshaw

JONATHON WEBB (N/A due to both Walkinshaw seats being filled)
While there was a full-time driver offer from Walkinshaw on the table, the door has seemingly closed on Jonathon Webb for the time being as far as full-time drives go after Thompson signed on the dotted line for the second Walkinshaw seat. However, he's more than willing to do a part-time campaign in the maingame this year alongside a development series drive with his own team, Tekno Autosport.

1-70: Take Full-time drive at Walkinshaw (100k)
71-100: Stay in development series and wait for enduro drive offers

CRAIG LOWNDES (30)
Triple 8 Race Engineering have been remarkably quiet over the off-season, which has left the entire paddock slightly on edge, particularely their two incumbents Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup. While Craig Lowndes has attractive offers on the table from both BJR and Perkins, the former three time champion and four time Bathurst winner seems to be more willing to sit out this round of driver decisions and wait for an offer from Triple 8.

1-60: Wait for offer from Triple 8
61-80: Go to Perkins (750k)
81-100: Go to BJR (800k)

Lowndes decides to wait for an offer from Triple 8, but whether the team's silence is a risky strategic ploy or a distrustful snub towards their two drivers remains to be seen.

FABRIZIO GIOVANARDI (100)
From one Triple 8 driver to another, two time BTCC champion Fabrizio Giovanardi looks set to make a return to the V8 Supercars after the fun he had in the enduros last year. While Triple 8 are yet to make any enduro offers to the Italian, he does have a full-time contract on offer from Larry Perkins for 2009. However, he is torn between taking it up or staying in the BTCC and trying to make it a championship three-peat in the UK.

1-60: Go to Perkins (450k)
61-100: Offer to drive the enduros only for Perkins (75k)

It didn't take long for Giovanardi to decide to stay in the UK for another year, but he's ready to sign immediately for Perkins to drive in the three enduros later in the year.

DAVID REYNOLDS (97)
After some inital talk he may get an offer from Walkinshaw which was immediately quashed with a sledgehammer, Davy Reynolds looks set to jump up into the main series this year for Britek after a solid season in the Development Series for Tony D'Alberto Racing. While it's yet to be determined whether he'll get the new FG or the older BF at Britek, it's certain he'll be one to watch in the future.

1-100: Go to Britek (250k)

COLIN TURKINGTON (27)
Colin Turkington is just the latest in a list of BTCC alumni that have recieved offers to drive in the V8 Supercars for 2009. While the others have seriously considered jumping to the V8s, Turkington feels that 2009 is his year in the BTCC, and therefore it looks unlikely that he'll join the V8 Supercar ranks this year for Britek.

1-66: Stay in BTCC
67-100: Go to Britek (300k)

Turkington decides to go with his gut feeling and stay in the BTCC for another year

JASON BRIGHT (30)
With Turkington turning down the Britek offer, Jason Bright decides to stay on for another year as owner/driver for his team. While he has generally gotten the newer cars over his admittingly average teammates at Britek, word has it that Reynolds might get the new Stone Brothers built FG while Jason sticks with the BF

1-100: Stay at Britek

RALPH FIRMAN (91)
Paul Morris has clearly lost his mind as he's seemingly ditched all the good talent in Australia to go for former Jordan F1 driver and Japanese GT champion Ralph Firman as his own replacement for 2009, with a laughably small offer which the Irishman was not impressed about in the slightest.

1-50: Stay in Japanese GT
51-60: Go to Paul Morris (100k)
61-100: Wait for better offer

Surprisingly however, Firman is willing to forgive Morris but he expects a much better offer if he is to make the trip from Japan all the way to Australia.

And here is the final group of 7 drivers for this first round of driver decisions:

STEVE OWEN (86)
The defending development series champion is looking to make his full-time return to the main game for 2009, but so far the Melburnian has been disappointed with the offers he has gotten. He has the option of a full-time gig with Paul Morris, or take up the enduro drive with Walkinshaw.

1-60: Go to Paul Morris (100k)
61-100: Offer to drive the enduros only for Walkinshaw (25k)

Eventually, Owen is tempted more by the opportunity of a works spec Walkinshaw than a full-time gig at PMR, and ends up offering his services to the Walkinshaw B-Team for the enduros later in the year.

JASON BARGWANNA (89)
While it's clear that Bargs is no longer the same driver that hauled the Larkham Motorsport and WPS Racing Falcons into places it had no right to be in, he still feels that he has plenty of races left in him and with a very attractive offer from Tasman Motorsport, he's happy to make his full-time return to the V8s.

1-65: Go to Tasman (500k)
66-100: Go to Tasman for two years (500k)

At this stage in his career, Bargwanna has found the offer so attractive, he signs a two year deal with Tasman for the same price

TODD/RICK KELLY (42)
While both Todd and Rick are more than happy to drive for their team for free, the rules state that one of them has to be paid for in the interests of fairness. They take a coin toss to decide who it is.

1-50: Rick stays at Kelly for 500k
51-100 Todd stays at Kelly for 500k

With Todd winning the coin toss, it's Rick that the team will have to cough up the 500k for. Presumably to pay for the Kelly boy's next propoganda film or something like that.

MIKA SALO (74)
The world's angriest Finn hasn't done much full-time driving since his retirement from Formula One in 2002, but the 2008 Le Mans GT2 class winner has caught the attention of Paul Cruickshank to replace the outgoing Fabian Coulthard. While Salo himself isn't too interested in doing the V8s full time, he's far more interested in doing the enduros for the team

1-45: Wait for better offer
46-85: Offer to drive the enduros only for PCR (45k)
86-100 Go to PCR (150k)

Salo reponds to Cruickshank's offer by offering his services and considerable experience to PCR for the enduros. If the price is right however, he is willing to make the jump full-time.

JAMES KAYE (5) (Offer made in IRC chat)
With Dean Fiore buying Team Kiwi Racing for 2009, the team is looking to turn its fortunes around. However, their decision to try and tempt 2002 BTCC champion James Kay is baffling to say the least, as he seems more interested in retirement than trying to help turn one of the smallest teams in the paddock around

1-55: Remain in retirement
56-80: Offer to drive the enduros only for TKR (20k)
81-100: Go to TKR (100k)

Unsurpisingly, Kaye decides that retirement was a better option for him, and rejects the offer from TKR

PAUL DUMBRELL (16)
With PD being ditched by Walkinshaw, Greg Murphy Racing threw a lifeline for the Victorian as Murphy looks to try and get a drive at another Holden team. With few other options available, Dumbrell was more than happy to grab the opportunity with both hands.

1-100: Go to GMR (200k)

I'll up Jackson's offer to 250k. If he doesn't accept that, I'll accept him to drive in the enduros for 50k, and sign Steven Johnson instead.