GM Joins Indycar in 2012!!

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Originally Posted by call_me_andrew

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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I know, thats what I meant. Maybe I should've said "would be in direct competition". Should they both enter the series.

Interesting story. Good one too....and good news.

As for Penske being behind it, no surprise there. He supports the Detroit automakers as a rule when he can; and by doing this and getting Penske specific aero, he is trying to rebuild his "unfair advantage". There is a reason he is called the Captain...

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Originally Posted by call_me_andrew

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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Ford's Mazda stake is down to 11% now and should be down to less than 3% by the end of this year. The two companies are still going to work together on certain projects, but they're no longer joined at the hip. Even when CCWS voted Ford Racing off the (sinking) island several years ago, Mazda remained involved with the series.

But still, Penske/Ilmor obviously had a big hand in getting GM involved. I don't think Kalkhoven (or anyone else involved with the IRL) has any similar relationship with Ford Racing. Mazda, I don't know about.

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Originally Posted by vintage

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

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Whoa. thanks for that. I had no idea. :burnout:

You can put me in the clueless pile when it comes to driver politics. All's I was pointing out was how prominent she was in this announcement. No Danica...She (simona) seems a bit connected.

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Originally Posted by anthonyvop

Usually when a manufacture enters a series the established competitors issue a release welcoming them into the fold..........Hmmmm

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Originally Posted by DBell

This is from the Speed article:

Erik Berkman, Honda Performance Development President: “We want to take this opportunity to welcome Chevrolet back to the IZOD IndyCar Series. Although we are certainly proud of HPD’s numerous accomplishments during our tenure as single engine supplier to the Series – including an active and unprecedented streak of five consecutive Indianapolis 500s completed without an engine failure – we have repeatedly and unequivocally expressed our desire for engine competition within the Series, dating even from our first days of sole supply, in 2006. We look forward to renewing our relationship with Chevrolet as competitors on the race track and giving the fans of open-wheel racing a spirited and challenging rivalry.”

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Once again our intrepid "reporter" ignores the facts to suit his agenda in his attempt to piss in our Wheaties.

Gary

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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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Oh man, wouldn't THAT be incredible!! Not that I expect it, but still...

Gary

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Originally Posted by call_me_andrew

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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Didn't Ford recently sell, or announce it intends to sell, its interest in Mazda?

Gary

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Originally Posted by garyshell

Oh man, wouldn't THAT be incredible!! Not that I expect it, but still...

Gary

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I'm far from a 'simaniac' has somone referred to me. :s mokin: But I think there has to be something to the fact that she was one of the driver's there. If nothing else, a shrewd recognition of press opportunity. IndyCar supplied quotes from Hildebrand, Power, Simona, Helio, and Plowman. Can we assume that they are the new 'chevy' team maybe? There has to be more to this than just opportunity for face time.

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Originally Posted by garyshell

Didn't Ford recently sell, or announce it intends to sell, its interest in Mazda?

Gary

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Ford used to own 33.3% of Mazda. Under Japanese law, if you own one-third of a company you can have veto power over the board of directors.

http://miscstuff.wordpress.com/2008/...sell-20-stake/

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Originally Posted by Steve-o

I'm far from a 'simaniac' has somone referred to me. :s mokin: But I think there has to be something to the fact that she was one of the driver's there. If nothing else, a shrewd recognition of press opportunity. IndyCar supplied quotes from Hildebrand, Power, Simona, Helio, and Plowman. Can we assume that they are the new 'chevy' team maybe? There has to be more to this than just opportunity for face time.

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It's the off season, there's probably not a lot of drivers in town or available to choose from, and I suspect they wanted at least one of the female drivers there for the announcement. I doubt Milka was high on the list, Sarah's not a full time driver any longer. Considering The Danica was in Phoenix for Nationwide qualifying and it's highly unlikely she will be powered by a Chevy (IF she's still in indycars by 2010) she probably wasn't available or even their first choice. I wouldn't read too much into he drivers that were there other than the obvious in Helio and Power. A lot can and will happen to the driver line ups between now and the 2012 season.