GM Joins Indycar in 2012!!

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Originally Posted by Enjun Pullr

Hey Anthony,

Journalists like Pruett are good about publishing sketchy information from vague sources, present company included.

I picked up the phone and called HPD three months ago. Most of these people will talk, if they know you have a clue.

You can also go thruogh Gordon Kirby's archives and read his interview with Mario Ilien from a few months ago, there was no secret rift developing.

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I guess time will tell.

nice promo vid of Chevy's history in IndyCar:

[youtube]ee_vKZ5ojno[/youtube]

Today's press conference:

[youtube]PV11b1_L1Z4[/youtube]

quotes from Helio, Barnhart, Penske, and track officials.

http://www.fanviewpoint.com/2010/11/...o-indycar.html

my closing...The feeling here is this is outstanding news. This series has struggled to maintain it's place as a major motorsport, having been plagued by low ratings and poor attendance. The news should help track promoters market the series in 2011, never mind 2012. This also signals a future return to prominence for the embattled Bowtie brand. We've seen how Honda engineers have devolved superior products through on track engineering. Now we'll see if GM can parlay on track success to successes at the local Chevy dealerships. Don't bet against the Bowtie on this one.

On another note...with Simona so prominently featured today, can we take from her appearance that she may be headed to Penske?

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Originally Posted by MDS

They said there would be an aero kit that will be developed with help from Penske's team.

It looks like we'll have four Aero kits, the Dallara, Lotus, Chevy and Honda.

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I have to think that Cosworth will have a card in all of this before 2012 also. Considering Kalkoven owns it with Forsythe, along with the Lotus commitment to KV and the series, I would not be surprised if we end up with Lotus Cosworth also.

That would leave Dallara as the only non-engine supplier on the board with an aero kit. Might make slim pickins' for teams wanting to go with them.

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Originally Posted by TURN3

I have to think that Cosworth will have a card in all of this before 2012 also. Considering Kalkoven owns it with Forsythe, along with the Lotus commitment to KV and the series, I would not be surprised if we end up with Lotus Cosworth also.

That would leave Dallara as the only non-engine supplier on the board with an aero kit. Might make slim pickins' for teams wanting to go with them.

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Cosworth has said earlier it would take a manufacturer to badge them for Cosworth to do it. They were interested if that was the case, but not interested in coming in as Cosworth. I'm not sure Lotus is going to shell out the money to do that. Now Ford seems to be doing well now and the combination of them and Chevy plus Honda would really be something to build on. Ford-Cosworth....some things just belong together.

I'd agree with that 100%, although the Ford/Cosworth is pure speculation. Ford continues to publicly maintain a lack of interest. Publicly.

If I am Mazda or Lotus or even Ford I would try to contract the engine work to an independent builder for one engine and possibly split the cost between two or more manufacturers.

Id especially consider a 4-cylinder entry. With the others (so far) being 6 cylinders there is an opportunity for special concessions for 4 cylinders, seeing as they would be at an inherent disadvantage.

Ford and Mazda are in direct competition, but their overall costs are lower too making for a higher potential for ROI.

How are Ford and Mazda in "direct" competition. Ford still owns 13.4% of Mazda.

Granted that's not controlling interest, but still impressive.

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Originally Posted by Steve-o

On another note...with Simona so prominently featured today, can we take from her appearance that she may be headed to Penske?

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Dude - you're in Simaniacs fantasy land. Wake up!!!