The first 2011 Silly Season driver/team thread

[Hoop-98]

From the HVM site...

Simona and HVM Racing will be teamed together again in the 2011 IndyCar Series and their focus will now turn to the changes, improvements and financial structure that will be implemented before the first race.

Simona De Silvestro – Driver – “We have tremendous chemistry as a team and money can't buy that. I am thankful for the chance Keith gave me this year and for Imran’s support. The whole team has come a long way. We faced a lot of adversity, yet we remained strong and that speaks to the character and cohesiveness of our team and my supporters. We have proved we can run up front, despite the funding challenges from sponsorship short falls.”

Keith Wiggins – HVM Racing Team Owner – “When we started this season we could not have anticipated the challenges we would face, both financially and on track, with incidents and equipment damage. However we could not also have anticipated the development of Simona in such a short period. The team and driver showed what is possible. Now it is time to put 2010 behind us and do the job properly in 2011. This team knows how to win and we are focused on getting the right package together to move forward. ”

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[Jag_Warrior]

Considering that Kanaan is probably the second most popular Brazilian IRL driver, behind Helio Happy Feet, I think you guys are right: APEX, Cafe do Brazil or some other Brazilian company will step up and get him in a car next year. If he ends up without a ride next year, I'll be surprised.

Speaking of companies backing drivers, let me ask this to EagleEye (or anyone else in the know): did IZOD resent being "guilted" into having to come up with the money to keep their face man, Ryan Hunter-Reay, in a car? It doesn't sound like they have any intention of fully sponsoring a car again next year. Did that create some tension with the series sponsor?

[jackmart]

^^ interesting


I know Izod did a commercial with Graham but he was driving in his 02 car so I think they got rid of it. I know it was like part of water sports or something so I wonder if he was supposed to be in the race to the party commercial.

[Placid]

The merry-go-round had reached to Andretti Autosport. Ryan Hunter-Reay is without IZOD. RHR is another to pass up. Hopefully he can get a ride. If he heads to Grand-Am or ALMS, he will be done. I like to see Lotus, Virgin or HRT open a door and give him a test.

[MDS]

The merry-go-round had reached to Andretti Autosport. Ryan Hunter-Reay is without IZOD. RHR is another to pass up. Hopefully he can get a ride. If he heads to Grand-Am or ALMS, he will be done. I like to see Lotus, Virgin or HRT open a door and give him a test.

Ryan has a contract with Andretti for next year. They signed it right around the Indy 500. It might be contingent on finding sponsorship but Ryan isn't ride shopping.

[EagleEye]

TK is talking to everyone, but Ganassi might have the edge. Chip wanted TK badly a few years back, and he and Dario are great friends. And, TK desperately wants to win the 500, and this would put him in position to accomplish that goal. And, with Dario mulling retirement, having TK onboard as a teammate or replacement would be good for the team.

Of course, if Penske comes calling, that would also require consideration. And, rumor is he has. Briscoe could be out, and TK in, if the team has the funding to do so. His long time engineer Eric Cowden is at Penske, and the two had success in the past. This would also put TK in position to win the 500, so either of these two opportunities seem likely.

Andretti Autosport
Marco
Danica/TBD
TBD


They are not getting all their funding back, and major changes are in place with only Marco being set. Danica has an opt out clause, and it will be interesting to see what she and her advisors will do. Her being a named a NASCAR driver for speaking engagements might give you a glimpse of her future.

The team hopes to have three/four cars for next year, and should have at least two, but the money is not there right now.

TK has been granted a release (it he wants), as 7-11 is either gone or reducing its funding.

RHR has also been told to look since they do not have funding for him but they are working on trying to land something in order to keep him in a car.

Penske Racing/Team Penske Racing
Power
HCN
TK/Briscoe

Power and HCN are a lock.

Briscoe to stay if they do not go after TK or someone else.

Target Chip Ganassi
Dixon
Dario-?
TK/TBD

For the third straight year, the team is trying to get sponsorship for a third car, and the talk is they might just have it. TK would have the edge, as noted above. That might depend on where Dario is at.

A.J. Foyt Enterprises
Vitor

KVRT
Ride buyer ~1
Ride buyer ~2
Ride buyer ~3

It was noted on AR1 that they are looking to TK. TK and JV are pals, but they team only has a history of cashing others checks, and I could ony see this if they line something up sponsor wise for TK. Or, if TK does not get picked up by the big two, and needs a ride just before the season starts, and he lowers his price.

TK wants to win the 500, and this team did not get PT in the show last year. And, they wrecked a few cars along the way. A lot of -few- cars.

Look for Sato and Mutoh in two cars, with a floating third car for another check provider.

Panther
TBD1

Graham had first dibs on the seat and passed. Wilson or RHR. Kanaan might also be a long shot, as this might be a good spot if the big two don't make him a good offer.

de Ferran Dragon Racing
TB1
TB2

Time has passed with Matos and the team is looking for a solid leader. Wilson, RHR, Rahal and Pagenaud. One interesting note has Simona in the second car, though it might be a rent a ride. Could be another chance to land TK, depending on the team's financials especially if the Captain steps in. Could be a home to Briscoe if TK goes to Penske. Yes, I am confused!

HVM
TBD

Money is a huge issue, and this could end up being a last minte deal. They love Simona, but they owe money...and getting more for nest year might be a stretch.

Conquest
Baguett/TBD
TBD

Baguett has secured his place for next year, but funding is very tight. The team hopes to keep key people in place. The second car could be a rent a ride, but if Wilson does not land anywhere, he could surface here with his old engineer, and team he started with in Champcar.

FAZZT
Tagliani
TBD/No $$

Pagenaud has a chance for the second seat. They talked ot TK, and would sign in a second, but money would have to be found for the 2nd car. Money is tight.

Newman Hass
TBD 1
TBD 2

The team is looking to get backing for two cars, and would welcome Wilson and Rahal. Too early to tell.

Dreyer and Reinbold Racing
Conway
TBD 2
TBD 3

Money and ride rides buyers fill this team out. Wilson might be back.

AFS Racing
TBD

AFS could be the thrid/fourth car working out of the AA camp. RHR in the seat or Carroll. Too early to tell.

Sarah Fisher Racing
Fisher/TBD

Part time team unless more funding is found, and looking to rent the car for road races. That is IF funding can be found.>>>Please send funding to this great team! Sarah might step aside and run Indy only, as she thinks the comp has passed her by. Wheldon, interestingly has been talked to. the team has great chemestry, and one can only hope they find a good fit.

Dale Coyne Racing
Ride buyer 1
Ride buyer 2

Could Milka the moving chicane return? One hopes not.

Walker Racing Partners
TBD

Hope Derrick can get funding for a car. Pagenaud would be his first choice. That old money thing is the key. Another good place to fund a team.

Bryan Herta Autosport
TBD

Unless funding is found, Indy only.

Rahal
Rahal

Looking at running Graham, if it makes sense. Servia if funding can be found.

New Team A
TBD

Money, money, money----

[SoCalPVguy]

Andretti Autosport
Marco
Danica/TBD
TBD


They are not getting all their funding back, and major changes are in place with only Marco being set. Danica has an opt out clause, and it will be interesting to see what she and her advisors will do. Her being a named a NASCAR driver for speaking engagements might give you a glimpse of her future.

The team hopes to have three/four cars for next year, and should have at least two, but the money is not there right now.

-

I still think that Go Daddy and the Princess will be gone from ICS to Nascab full time in 2011 and that Andretti, given the loss of 7-11, will be lucky to field 2 cars and may only field one. I estimate an overall field size reduction in ICS in 2011 vs. 2010.

I don't think anybody here really has an appreciation on how bad the US economy really is now and indications are that it will continue into 2013. With creeping socialism, high health care costs, and uncertainty of upcoming much higher taxes, so far US business have been parking billions of potential business dollars on the side. However, when it becomes less risky to invest in foreign countries like Chine vs. domestically, you will begin seeing these funds leave the US and these are exactly the types of funds that would have been spent on luxury advertising like auto racing. Even Nascar is seeing sponsorship start to drops as well as well as less fans being able to afford the travel/ticket cost to see races live.

[jackmart]

So I was thinking the idea of 3rd car at TCG was really possible with Graham but looks like not so much...

Whether that's with a -- I wouldn't think a third car is in the cards at Target Chip Ganassi Racing.

http://www.racingwest.com/news/artic...p-ganassi.html

[MDS]

So I was thinking the idea of 3rd car at TCG was really possible with Graham but looks like not so much...

I don't know why everyone thought Graham was going to end up at Ganassi. Service Central is a competitor of Target among other reasons.

Graham is in Florida meeting with the Service Central people this week. They're close to an announcement for next year.

[Placid]

I would be very shocked if that happened. Both Conor and his dad have stated over and over that F1 is their goal. I would imagine that he will be over in Europe next year, what series I don't know. But then again maybe no one wants him over there?

Conor Daly is currently testing GP3. And he showed progress.

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