If Simona can do it, why can't Graham, Buddy, PT, and J.R. ???

[ChicagocrewIRL]

OK, here it is the start of a brand new season and we have the same old problem of talented drivers sitting on the sidelines while no talent hacks with personal sponsors have coveted IICS drives.

But then along comes Simona de Silvestro, AKA Swiss Miss, who basically burst upon the open wheel scene with a hugely impressive run in the 2009 Atlantics with 4 dominant wins, 4 pole positions, and 9 podium finishes. Clearly she is no hack. Clearly she has the proven talent to compete and to position herself as one of the up and coming stars of IndyCar, very similar to Graham's pre IICS resume'.

But unlike Graham, Simona has managed to land a ride, all be it not a top tier ride, with Keith Wiggins and HVM Racing. With the backing of Stargate Worlds game software company, she is poised to compete, and compete well, in the 2010 IICS Championship. She proved this in her first outing by leading 5 laps and holding off 2 time IndyCar Champion, Dario Franchitti during those laps. She competed well until rear suspension problems forced her to the back of the pack.

So the question is why can someone like Simona de Silvestro land a funded IICS ride while equally talented drivers like Hildebrand, Edwards, Rice, Rahal, Tracy, etc sit on the sidelines ?

From what I have been able to research, Simona brings the backing of Stargate Worlds, a computer gaming program still in its developmental stages. It's unclear how much money Stargate Worlds brings to the table because, reportedly, their Atlantics involvement provided no up front cash to the 2 car team of Muniz and de Silvestro. However, Stargate Worlds two main developers, Imran Safiulla and Shane Seneviratne are avid open wheel racing enthusiasts who may be bringing personal funds to the HVM/Stargate Worlds effort.

This is what Graham et, al need to find. They need to present their cases to companies and individuals who have the same passion for autosport that the Stargate Worlds principals posses. They are out there.

It's no longer just a matter of being a talented driver, it comes down to being marketable as well. And I think all it will take for these drivers to come up with funding is a lot of legwork and networking by themselves and their management teams.

Let's do a quick breakdown of each driver and how their ride is funded. (speculation)

Andretti Motorsport

Tony Kanaan - funded with team sponsors, limited personal sponsors
Marco Andretti - funded with team sponsors, family ties
Danica Patrick - funded with team sponsors, massive personal sponsors
Ryan Hunter-Reay - funded with limited personal sponsors

Target Chip Ganassi Racing

Dario Franchitti - funded with team sponsors
Scott Dixon - funded with team sponsors

Team Penske

Helio Castroneves - funded with team sponsors
Ryan Briscoe - funded with team sponsors
Will Power - funded with team sponsors

KV Racing

Mario Moraes - funded with family funds (RIDE BUYER)
E.J. Viso - funded by Venezuelan Petroleum and family (RIDE BUYER with some talent)
Takuma Sato - funded by Honda (RIDE BUYER with talent (??))

Conquest Racing

Mario Romancini - unknown funding

Dale Coyne Racing

Alex Lloyd - funded with team sponsors
Milka Duno - funded by Venezuelan oil money (RIDE BUYER with absolutely no talent)

de Ferran/Luczo Dragon Racing

Raphael Matos - funded by team sponsors

Dreyer & Reinbold Racing

Ana Beatriz - funded by team sponsors, personal sponsors
Mike Conway - funded by team sponsors
Justin Wilson - funded by team sponsors, personal sponsors

FAZZT Race Team

Alex Tagliani - funded by team and personal sponsors

Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing

Hideki Mutoh - funded by personal sponsors (RIDE BUYER with limited talent)

Panther Racing

Dan Wheldon - funded by team sponsors

Sarah Fisher Racing

Sarah Fisher - funded by team and personal sponsors
Jay Howard - funded by team and personal sponsors
Graham Rahal - funded by team sponsors (limited)

Stargate Worlds/HVM Racing

Simona de Silvestro - funded by team and personal sponsors

If anyone has actual facts that refute my speculations on how these drivers and teams are funded, please feel free to add them to the discussion.

[I am evil Homer]

Hunger? Passion? Lack of chip on her shoulders making her a more attractive/viable proposition for teams

Seems to me there's too many drivers thinking they have a right to be on the grid in a top line car, when to date they've shown little to justify it.

[ChicagocrewIRL]

I think you hit the nail on the head... the culture of entitlement

[Scotty G.]

1.So the question is why can someone like Simona de Silvestro land a funded IICS ride while equally talented drivers like Hildebrand, Edwards, Rice, Rahal, Tracy, etc sit on the sidelines ?

2. This is what Graham et, al need to find.

3. Mario Romancini - unknown funding

Alex Lloyd - funded with team sponsors

Mike Conway - funded by team sponsors

Jay Howard - funded by team and personal sponsors

1 Those other driver don't have breasts? And they don't have someone to buy their way into the series? Or they have the goofy notion that they should actually be paid to do their job, because of what they have actually ACCOMPLISHED in Indy Cars (at least in PT, Rahal and Rice's cases)?

2. No, they need to find actual PROFESSIONAL owners that will HIRE people on merit and find money for THEIR teams. They need Indy Cars to do a complete 180, and reverse this ridiculous "sit on their ass and wait for the drivers to fund the teams" mentality that has killed the sport the past 20 years.

3. Romancini wrote a big check. NO WAY, he is in that car without one. Lloyd has money too. That is ALWAYS what Coyne looks for and why he is in the Boy Scouts of AMERICA (which is giving DCR very little real money) car. Conway's parents continue to "help" him play race driver. Howard is paying his way. Without his money, no way anyone hires him.

[MDS]

Just FYI, Conway is paying for his ride, as is Simona de Selvestro, and Mario Romancini, Helio and Ryan are being funded by Roger more than sponsors

[ChicagocrewIRL]

Just FYI, Conway is paying for his ride, as is Simona de Selvestro, and Mario Romancini, Helio and Ryan are being funded by Roger more than sponsors

Please give us more details about Conway and Simona. How are they paying for their rides and how do you know this. And please don't say it's common knowledge. LOL

[vintage]

I would guess Simona/personal backers are paying most if not all of the money. I believe the developer of the Stargate Worlds games is in bankruptcy. I really doubt they're putting up multiple millions to fund her ride.

[MDS]

Please give us more details about Conway and Simona. How are they paying for their rides and how do you know this. And please don't say it's common knowledge. LOL

Simona because Stargate Worlds is in bankruptcy and even before that they mentioned in an interview you can find in on the web somewhere that they weren't directly paying for it themselves. She's probably not paying for it herself, but as I understand it she has backers who are paying her way.

Conway isn't paying full freight because DR&R has some sponsorship, but he's not getting paid to drive either. As far as specifics all I can tell you is that people inside the sport have told called Conway a mid-pack ride buyer and I believe they would know, so I accept that.

[anthonyvop]

Simona is a great talent and has demonstrated it in numerous occasions.

She has brought personal sponsorship.
B.R.M watches has been backing her for awhile
http://www.racewatches.com/Racewatches-BRM.html

[ChicagocrewIRL]

Simona is a great talent and has demonstrated it in numerous occasions.

She has brought personal sponsorship.
B.R.M watches has been backing her for awhile
http://www.racewatches.com/Racewatches-BRM.html

I think hell just froze over. I actually agree with you.