Sato must go !!!!!

**SoCalPVguy** · 16th Jun 12, 23:00

So far this year: 7 DNF's - including 4 crash outs !!!

Rahal Racing must get a decent driver in there, no matter what Honda wants, or they're never gonna get any points, and they'll run out of cars eventually !

**00steven** · 17th Jun 12, 00:57

If he would just finish he would have many good results.

**Nem14** · 17th Jun 12, 04:30

Takuma "Crash" Sato?

**GravettFan99** · 17th Jun 12, 06:09

I've always liked Takuma Sato, I don't really want him to go. He's driving a bit too aggressively, I guess.

**nigelred5** · 17th Jun 12, 15:51

He was in contentionall race and going for the lead in the first turn of the last lap of the 500. Hildebrand is a hero, Taku a zero. OK.

**Marbles** · 18th Jun 12, 00:27

Sato, like Tracy, is a driver that is probably admired for his feats of derring-do as much, if not more by other drivers, than fans. Problem is that this F1\Indycar vet hasn't notched any wins like a Tracy has(d) and you can't write off his indiscretions to youthful exuberance. If you're going to be a circus diver you got to hit the bucket once in a while. Rahal isn't an idiot and he obviously appreciates the raw speed that Sato has but he also has budget constraints and the only thing that will see Sato around next year, if he can make it through this year, is a win or two.

**Dubyajay87** · 18th Jun 12, 00:43

Originally Posted by Marbles

Sato, like Tracy, is a driver that is probably admired for his feats of derring-do as much, if not more by other drivers, than fans. Problem is that this F1\Indycar vet hasn't notched any wins like a Tracy has(d) and you can't write off his indiscretions to youthful exuberance. If you're going to be a circus diver you got to hit the bucket once in a while. Rahal isn't an idiot and he obviously appreciates the raw speed that Sato has but he also has budget constraints and the only thing that will see Sato around next year, if he can make it through this year, is a win or two.

He totally reminds me of Tracy. Great comparison.

**Marbles** · 18th Jun 12, 01:33

Originally Posted by Starter

Bobby also appreciated the $$$ that Sato brings.

The only thing money can buy is Love!

Wasn't sure about that... and I couldn't make assumptions.

**nigelred5** · 18th Jun 12, 11:51

Originally Posted by Dubyajay87

He totally reminds me of Tracy. Great comparison.

Win or Crash tryin'. He's certainly got the crashin part down.

**heliocastroneves#3** · 18th Jun 12, 12:10

Sato is just that "crash friendly", that if he will once win a race he will crash his car while doing donuts after the race...

**seppefan** · 18th Jun 12, 19:54

Massive speed all through his career but not enough control sadly. Such an exciting potential fading away at present.

**Chris R** · 19th Jun 12, 02:24

I wouldn't say he "has to go" - he gives us something to talk about.....

Seriously, he is fast, always has been. I think if he manages to win one it might be the start of something big. I have to wonder if that confidence boost of getting the job done is what is needed to get him winning consistently....

**Mark in Oshawa** · 19th Jun 12, 07:46

Sorry guys, I am going to disagree with the contention he is like PT. He isn't like PT. PT was fast but he won, and often enough to make people overlook the crashes. PT crashes were through aggressiveness but often were ones where you could see why he tried to do what he did. Most of Sato's crashes come off as brain farts. Even some of the ones where you think you can sympathize show a bad lack of strategy. For example, had he pulled off the pass of Dario going into one at Indy this year, only a village idiot would think he could hold Dario off going into 3. Dario would have slotted in behind, took him going into 3 and would have likely won. Sato had zero patience. He cannot think the process through. PT never dumped himself or anyone else in that manner on a last lap going for a win. He has done a lot of dumb things in his day...but not that dumb...and Sato does this routinely....

I like him for entertainment value, and I hope he proves me wrong, but IF I am a team owner, I want deep pockets or someone writing big checks because this guy is going to shred some race cars...

**Anubis** · 19th Jun 12, 19:33

Originally Posted by Chris R

I wouldn't say he "has to go" - he gives us something to talk about.....

Seriously, he is fast, always has been. I think if he manages to win one it might be the start of something big. I have to wonder if that confidence boost of getting the job done is what is needed to get him winning consistently....

To be fair, I don't think ALL the incidents this year have been his fault, but he's still DNFing far too often for a driver of his experience. I get the feeling that he knows he's fast (and he is), but gets easily frustrated when that speed fails to yield results, meaning he over-reacts to setbacks and overdrives as a result. I can understand the Indy lunge, as if you're going to risk it for a win, Indy is the place to do it, but I can recall other races (road and oval) where he's looked super quick only to do something stupid. I'd love to see him get a win, as it would be genuinely interesting to see whether it calmed him down.

**wedge** · 20th Jun 12, 15:10

Originally Posted by Mark in Oshawa

PT never dumped himself or anyone else in that manner on a last lap going for a win.

Originally Posted by Mark in Oshawa

Sorry guys, I am going to disagree with the contention he is like PT. He isn't like PT. PT was fast but he won, and often enough to make people overlook the crashes.

PT had the privilege of being in the top teams.

Look at Will Power. In Champcar he was quick but often crashing/being involved in incidents and now he makes the most of being in a top team.

Correct me if I'm wrong but is Bobby Rahal putting is arm round Taku's shoulder and having a word? Bobby has always struck me as the type of person you would listen and learn from.

**heliocastroneves#3** · 20th Jun 12, 16:20

"Hi, i'm Takuma "The Wallbanger" Sato. I've been a psychopath race driver for over 10 years. Whether I'm on the racetrack or crashing down the road, one thing I know for sure, is I smash my vehicle and whats left of it."

**FIAT1** · 20th Jun 12, 17:04

Tracy to Sato comparison is ridiculous.

**Stuartf12007** · 20th Jun 12, 18:01

Originally Posted by SoCalPVguy

So far this year: 7 DNF's - including 4 crash outs !!!

Rahal Racing must get a decent driver in there, no matter what Honda wants, or they're never gonna get any points, and they'll run out of cars eventually !

Dont blame Sato, its the useless American drivers who keep getting in the way.

**Nem14** · 20th Jun 12, 22:43

IIRC Sato is backed mainly by Honda money, and Ray's Wheels, also a Japanese company?

**jarrambide** · 21st Jun 12, 02:41

Originally Posted by FIAT1

Tracy to Sato comparison is ridiculous.

Yep, Tracy had way more dumber crashes, he was super fast, he had no brains, I do wedge is right, the difference is Tracy had a top team backing him up, give Sato one of the best cars and he will give you PT like results, he will win many races, he will destroy a lot of cars, one thing is sure, PT was very entertaining, Sato is very entertaining.