Regardless of what a posters agenda might be (anti-Windsor/US/Whatever) the mere fact that so many people believe this whole USF1 thing is just a propaganda stunt suggests that they have at the very least got their pr very very wrong - which can never be a good thing for any team looking for sponsorship cash.

I absolutely love the accusations that USF1 is a Ponzi scheme a few pages back.

Because Windsor knows virtually every F1 journalist in the world, and why would any non F1 journo be interested ?

Who said anything about blind faith? Not me. It's not Windsor's team, it's Anderson's. Windsor is a partner but he's not bringing the kind of cash it takes to launch a team from scratch. And most importantly he's not the signatory on the Concorde. Like it or not, it's a race team that's likely thrashing to make the first race. The real comedy on this thread is a bunch of bench racers that haven't sat in a race car let alone driven one offing opinions on how to run a race team. Pure comedy gold particularly since some take themselves far too seriously.

Not many people outside that shop really know what's happening. And there are probably some inside that don't know what's happening. At this point it doesn't matter what USF1 says and it certainly doesn't matter what a bunch of bench racers on a forum think. They are going to try to do what they need to do when they need to do it. They need to be on the grid, worst case in two months but I'd bet they thrash something together to make Bahrain. It will be tough but at this point not impossible. The clock is ticking...

I wanted US to have a respectable team, but I'm not all that sad to see this flag waving inferiority complex team snuff it.

What exactly do you mean by "flag waving inferiority"? The only flag wavers on this thread seem to be from outside the US.

To sum up, you have a problem with PW, Serbs, The Vatican and a team from the US. But would prefer a team from Mexico since they speak Spanish there





Your username indicates a Russian background and I can think of a few other countries, besides the US, where scams are a more profound part of everyday life... But I agree that the US is probably the only country where you can "get away with it" by waving the stars and stripes. It would probably not help to wave the stars and stripes in another country... DUH It would probably be better to wave the country's own flag don't you think...

JK

Back on topic, it's going to be a few interesting weeks ahead of us. The team is apparently scheduled to announce their second driver this week. If the teams chance of making it is as low as suggested, who would sign a deal with the team (and pay for the privilege)?

They now realistically have just 4 weeks until they need to start shipping their cars to Bahrain. If they have all the parts ready there should not be a big problem in assembling two cars in 4 weeks. But what about the gearbox and engine? Have they time to make sure that they work together and communicate with each other? I just hope that the team is more advanced than what we fear...

No crash test, no assembling, IMHO.
In the first week of march the cars should be well on their way to Bahrain.
That would leave them 1,5-2 weeks max. to get everything ready, if the crash tests are on 15th feb. as reported.

Perhaps I misunderstood your line that Windsor said this ____ . My point was that he does not have a positive record, or even a clean one so I take what he says with a grain of salt.

And no one said it mattered. We don't come here and try to change F1, we do it out of a pure love for the sport.

This what i mean by getting away with flagwaving and patriotic sentiments, americans become so bleeding gullable whenever someone starts calling whatever crap they have going "US-something". Any modest average-joe can go hulk within seconds when the crap in question is critisized. But USF1 is crap, anderson is more crap, get a grip americans, you're being taken for a spectacular ride here!

Raz

"Ponzi scheme" refers to a very specific type of criminal investment fraud.
Its the wrong term for USF1, whatever happens.

Nevertheless, if USF1 does go down, I can only hope that some serious forensic accountants get sent in to see where Hurley's money went to.
Putting your family on the payroll was one symptom of the 'snouts in the trough' attitude of too many UK Members of Parliament and their expenses claims.
Its not a good sign at USF1, but is itself probably only a very minor cost.




For devoted watchers of USF1 videos -- am I the only one to notice that the big pile of brand new Hanns computer screens is still sitting in the car assembly area?
The green, black and brown cardboard boxes were used as a workbench by the visiting electricians. (Side issue - just how much build work has been done by the USF1 people without discovering that more benchspace would be a good thing ... )
But the edge of the same pile was seen in the background of the first photo of the 'tub with a keel'.
Still in the same place. Where they are rushing to put the car together ... ?
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/r...ort751/USF1.jpg at the back right
http://talryyngames.com/media/usf1-radmock.jpg (but better seen in the actual video) ADDED - http://www.usgpe.com/news/in-detail-electr...ing-system.html by 2.00 minutes in, its been taken over by the visitors!
That's the sort of thing that makes the place feel 'not right' as a serious operation.

Its a different question as to WHY they should have so miscounted the number of screens to buy.
Was someone expecting more staff?

Hi Raz - what a way to celebrate 24 hours on the forum!

Can we please stop with the national stereotypes and the personal attacks. Attacking groups is also considered personal attacks and as such not allowed on the forum.

Thanks

yeah, i spent some time learning the proper lingo from seasoned members before joining, besides i'm half-american.

Raz

flag waving, inferiority complex

...and it wasn't meant for the "US" as a country, it was meant specifically to the individuals speaking for the team in press releases.

The open letter on an USF1 fan site that someone linked to sums it up. In the early days it was even worse, predicting wins off the bat IIRC.

The teams mouth always seemed to want to talk about American acheivements in technology, and how they can do what Europeans do. It just seemed like flag waving (we put a man on the moon, we're here to kick ass) inferiority complex (we can do what they do too) to me.

It makes/made decent Americans face palm too.

I hope if USF1 does fall over, it doesn't ruin the chances of ever getting sponsors to do a propper job in the US. I loved US vs UK rivalry with the Astons and Corvettes at Le Mans. They both have respect for each other. Neither side resorts to this kind of drivel, and they are BOTH legitimate bonefide racing teams trading blows on track like sportsmen.

In that one line you have summed up far more people's concerns about USF1 than some would like to admit.

Compared with what Petrov has to pay at Renault, Lopez got a cheap deal with USF1...





http://en.espnf1.com/renault/motorsport/story/8380.html

Obviously it helps to be in a team with a car

Well, it appears USF1 has been thrown a mighty lifeline.

Ah but will sponsors think it's ok to miss vital broadcasting time...

Exactly what kind of lifeline? I don't see any obvious news.

EDIT: You mean missing the first 3 races? Wouldn't that **** off Lopez' sponsors?

would you like to supply some information or is it just hope combined with guess work

They can miss three races.

Much more time to try and finish their cars and secure more cash.

But I take the point about Lopez and his money.

Respectfully, that is not news.

And anyway, Windsor has reiterated (several times) that they WILL be on the grid in Bahrain - surely you don't doubt his word!

I reckon they are dead if they aren't shaking down something with four wheels by the end of February, as Windsor claimed they would.



Re the comparisons with the Falcon car - am I right in saying that it never ran on any track, even for a shakedown?
http://oilpressure.wordpress.com/2009/11/1...s/#comment-1668

Based on what's published on speedtv windsor vehemently rejects such an and he states that he WILL be in Baharain. So, no postponement in sight.

which comparisons? Can you elaborate a bit?

From USF1 chief aerodynamicist Dr Eric Warren's Twitter:



Worryingly, that backs up what Composite Ken was saying about them not having started the floors.

That could be read as the DD is done but they are now working on the successor.

Clearly they've seen the McLaren diffuser and gone "ah."

Seeing as the team is a startup, and knowing that they lack funding, also knowing that DDDDDD* are banned for next year, is it wise for them to be focusing on developing diffusers through the season?

Wouldn't it be wiser to spend their limited resources finding time through other means, such that they can apply what they learned to subsequent cars?

Unless they are extremely confident that their car will not be a backmarker, and will be fighting consistently for points, though I find that extremely ambitious (not a bad thing), but unrealistic.

Oddly he found time to play tennis. Of course he would not be the one laying the actual fiber. The machines would cut it (tooling), then the fiber guys would lay it up. Mould would need to come first I am sure, and once you have that everything else is cake in comparison. But I thought the clave they are using is too small for a tray, it barley fits the tub.

Ah, but isn't it worth not being TOO far behind the pack this year, so that sponsors will stick around/want to come onboard in 2011 anyway?

Develop a DDD for this year, aim for a respectable performance in with the new teams, maybe bag the odd points score, and then when 2011 comes round they can aim for more sponsorship, and will have real data on a complicated diffuser that they could then use to simplify for 2011 onwards...

I'm sure he'll be.. explaining why the rest of the team isn't Sorry, couldn't pass up the opportunity ...

Fingers crossed that they'll make it there and be able to complete the whole GP..

Search this thread (box at bottom left of each page) for
falcon
and you will find about two dozen posts referencing Anderson's earlier project.

thanks, I read those. Apparently the whole project was a complete failure but was this the only racing project that can attributed to Anderson.? Several posts ago, someone posted his resume and it appears he was part of other racing projects with some pretty good results.. (indy 500 wins)..

i think the emphasis must be put on.. HE will be in Bahrain despite the team be or not..
hope everybody be wrong and the car starts from the very first race.. but it seems very difficult..

I'm not a historian, hence my question above!

Anderson's cv/resumé seems to be a bit controversial. I'll leave it there.

You guys are talking about the same Windsor who claimed;

- to build an american team to showcase US-technology?
- to support american talent by going for US-drivers and not a paying cabbie?
- to utilize the Windshear full-scale tunnel down the block?
- to have a rolling chassis in November? November 2009 that is, or was.

In short, he was actually a lot more credible in the pits.

I think the key question not addressed so far in this thread is when USF1 are announcing Comical Ali as head of PR.

Are you certain he's not already there?

Fixed that for you!


Seems strange that they should be considering version 2 of anything, until they have version 1 of everything fully in hand.
Now, didn't CompositeKen say something about management, and chaos?

Indeed. There is just something in the absolute conviction that is being radiated from the team, despite any evidence whatsoever that it is justified, combined with a the merest trace of bewildered desperation, that suggested to me that he's been there for a while doing sterling work, and just hasn't been announced yet.

http://www.corsaonline.com.ar/2010/02/08/N...a-companero.php

From Corsa:

According to Peter Windsor, owner of USF1, told The Age in Australia, this week will announce the name of team mate Jose Maria Lopez. Although English did not give too many details would have four drivers in a position to close dealings with the brand team in Formula 1: Adrian Valles Spanish, Austrian Christian Klien, Jacques Villeneuve and Brazilian Bruno Senna.

Valleys, winner 2009 of the Superleague Formula, would be an advantage. Spanish media last week echoed the negotiations and gave him and as confirmed. In fact, expect the announcement for this week ...

Klien, meanwhile, admitted he wants to return to the F.1 and that's what I was talking to the Target Areas and the USF1, having been tipped by the latter to the precarious financial situation of the Spanish team.

Although at the time the U.S. team down her thumb, Villeneuve would also have chances. At least that is presumed the enthusiasm shown by the Canadian, who is doing an exhaustive training in the same Austrian high-performance center where Lee is working.

Finally, in the past few hours threw the Brazilian press that Bruno Senna would also be knocking on the doors of USF1 to the possibility that Adrian Campos, who is under contract not to compete for their economic problems.



While some are taking this matter very seriously, others take the opportunity to make some jokes. Under the heading "Potential Drivers USF1 (USF1 Potential drivers), is circulating on forums and websites dedicated the photo of an alleged list of candidates that would have made Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor.

On a striped notebook paper, which has a coffee stain on the top right, you can see the names of American Scott Speed, Jonathan Summerton, Marco Andretti, Graham Rahal, Kyle Busch, Danica Patrick (crossed out ) and Frenchman Frank Montagny. So far there is nothing strange because everyone was in the sights of USF1.

But the report loses all seriousness when you put a question mark veteran name Mario Andretti. But that's not all, as listed below actors Tom Cruise, Paul Newman, Steve McQueen and characters like Superman, Spiderman and Mr. Incredible.

At the bottom Villeneuve also appears, although next door is the legend "No, no way" ...



The translation is by Google, so it's not very good, sorry. If USF1 would be in such big problems I guess it would be very hard for them to be so close to announce a second driver (which driver and which sponsors would like to go to a team in serious doubt?). And I would choose Steve McQueen...

Just out of the oven:

http://www.corsaonline.com.ar/2010/02/09/N...aca-estamos.php

Here we are
While Bernie Ecclestone doubts about his participation in Bahrain, the flamboyant lead USF1 Type 1 to England to perform crash tests next week.

The alarm signal lights whenever Bernie Ecclestone, FOM CEO makes statements. In his last start the Maximum pope announced that both USF1 and Campos could call "lost the first three races, something recently allowed by the FIA (the teams can give to occur in three competitions during the season).

However, the U.S. team does not give credit to those words. From headquarters in Charlotte confirmed to the four winds that will be in Bahrain next March 14 and, while acknowledging some delay in the construction of Type 1, ensure that they fit.

From Argentina, Philip McGough spoke in the long program (radio Belgrano) and confirmed that the Type 1 will be moved to England to perform crash tests required by the FIA. "Tests performed on the car between 15 and 18 this month," said the reporter.

Meanwhile, Lopez continues working in a fitness center in the high performance of Austria and next week travel to the U.S. to expect that the car is ready and try to track the route of Alabama, a place chosen by the squadron for debut.

Peter Windsor insists he'll be in Bahrain on the 14th?

Is he going General Admission, or has he treated himself to a Grandstand?

LOL The Maximum Pope...I think I will refer to Bernie that way from now on

That's a joke from Sniff Petrol.

If USF1 makes the crash test on February 18th... could they be ready to go to Baherin and even make at least one testing before? I'm asking because Im not sure about the usual times on this... maybe, let's say 10 days after the crash tyest they can have the first car, so they can test before going to Bahrein... can they build two cars at the same time? if not, how much would it take to build the second one after finishing the first?

The best jokes are always the ones closest to the truth....

I agree, it should be so, henceforth. It just suits him to a T.

No if that was the case we would see this -

"I type this blog from Barber, and I really wish you could hear the roar of the Cossie, what an amazing song it sings. So far both cars are running well, and JML has covered over 103 laps with a best time of 1:34.637 and Valles putting in an astounding 207 laps with a best time of 1:34.647. We have been running on full tanks the whole time. JML did lose time when the upper deck of the diffuser fell off, CompositeKen was quick to get this fixed, and for that we offer him another paycheck and sent him off to do whatever he does on that Blackberry of his. The third car is being driven by, ok pushed around, still need to pay Cosworth for anything other than demo engines.. But JV seems really happy with how hard some of these guys can push the car, since they came from Champcar they are used to pushing things out of the pits. I am glad to have JV as the test driver, and his input today has been outstanding.

I wish you could be here, I would like to thank all of our loyal fans on Facebook and Twitter, but not Autosport (what haters they on the forums for sure), Lewis Hamilton for without him well I am sure the viewers of SpeedTV can fill you in! Plus the can of Flowvis that he sent was a nice addition to our tests, and we might even keep the colours for the first season. See everyone in Bahrain, and I might even ask the team to come along with the cars! But it remains to be seen if they really want to be seen with me in Bahrain, I have heard that Chad will move the team while I am sleeping, so here is to day 123 without sleep!

PS. Barber will totally deny that we were here, the whole Skunkworks thing you know."