1772 replies to this topic

[Craven Morehead]

Well, this bit of news caught me entirely off guard, I must admit. Good luck to Kimi, I think he has what it takes to be competitive.

[Villes Gilleneuve]

OfficeLinebacker, on Mar 29 2011, 16:20, said:

I keep checking the major US websites and NASCAR.com nor ESPN have picked up the story, though it's on autosport.com:

http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/90331

The more I dig up research on this Gillett guy though, the less likely I think it is to happen, or if it does, it will be a disaster.

There are a lot of guys like Gillett in racing. See HRT.

[Villes Gilleneuve]

SimMaker, on Mar 29 2011, 16:21, said:

Imagine.

Doing nearly 240mph.......in a multi ton slab, with no brakes....

Awesome. Its called Stock Car racing.

1. No 'stock' car does 240 mph.
2. They have brakes, made of a high-tech metal called steel (sp?)
3. No, they don't brake at many tracks
4. No, they don't shift at many tracks

[Villes Gilleneuve]

Smile17, on Mar 29 2011, 19:03, said:

pff Who cares?!

No kidding. Raikkonnen is GONE and just not important any more. File him with Montoya and Villeneuve.

Drivers really need to have another career path planned before they embarrass themselves.

[DarthRonzo]

gm914, on Mar 29 2011, 16:01, said:

Kimi, this podium's for you!

Kimi doesn't drink Coca-Cola... only

[DarthRonzo]

I think Kimi will take part of a reality show, like that Discovery Channel's "Storm Chasers": crazy people that hunt hurricanes on special armored cars.

Kimi being an adrenaline junkie will be... "The BIG ONE chaser"

Edited by DarthRonzo, 29 March 2011 - 19:26.

[engel]

Kimi the media shy recluse doing Nascar is a contradiction in terms ... Wish him well, but would rather see him in an F1 car to be honest but it will certainly be interesting seeing him trying to master "y'all"

[Yolandy]

Ross Stonefeld, on Mar 29 2011, 18:56, said:

I think Kimi's story will play nicely if they PR it right. 23 races and straight into F1, world champion with Ferrari, has been doing rallying, also likes to snowmobile and motorcross, etc.

Also in love with over-sized caps, cokes and ice creams...

[John B]

The story is up on Jayski's Nascar news and rumors site, including Ray Evernham's view of the situation:

"I really don't know why Kimi would partner with people who continually fail with sports franchises," Evernham told Auto123.com. "I don't know how they could leave with so many unpaid bills and return to the sport."

ETA: another "having a s*&t" comment on live TV is worth a points and $$$ penalty here....

Edited by John B, 29 March 2011 - 19:44.

[gm914]

DarthRonzo, on Mar 29 2011, 15:19, said:

Kimi doesn't drink Coca-Cola... only

He should drive for Dodge, but tell them he'll only drive the wagon version...



Imagine Kimi winning the Coca-Cola 500 driving a Dodge Magnum !!

[artista]

intelligentsia, on Mar 29 2011, 20:56, said:

These are some quotes from the Robertsons it doesn't sound as certain as has been made out:

Quote

Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 Formula One champion, is considering an offer to join a team in the Nascar auto-racing series, his agent David Robertson said.

Robertson declined to identify the team the 31-year-old Finn was talking to.

“Negotiations are ongoing but nothing is guaranteed,” Robertson said by telephone. “Somebody had come to us with an offer and we are considering it.”

Raikkonen is set to join a new team, ICE1 Racing, in the Truck series before moving to the Nationwide and Sprint Cup categories, Autosport.com reported, citing Finland’s Turun Sanomat newspaper.

http://www.bloomberg...ascar-team.html

Thanks!

[Garagiste]

Inaudiblemumbleliddlebit, y'all.

I can't quite picture it, but will be interesting to see how he gets on.

[domhnall]

So let's get down to the big issue. How badly will the american commentators mispronounce his name?

[molson3530]

Anssi, on Mar 29 2011, 14:18, said:

Magnum ice creams?

Actually, Magnum ice cream is coming to the US this month. Coincidence, I think not

His pre-race interviews would be hilarious.

[ktsayshi]

engel, on Mar 29 2011, 14:30, said:

Kimi the media shy recluse doing Nascar is a contradiction in terms ... Wish him well, but would rather see him in an F1 car to be honest but it will certainly be interesting seeing him trying to master "y'all"

A certain number of the PR commitments are fan meetings during the race weekend. It seems to me that even many F1 guys would do more of those given the chance.

[loki]

Villes Gilleneuve, on Mar 29 2011, 20:15, said:

1. No 'stock' car does 240 mph.
2. They have brakes, made of a high-tech metal called steel (sp?)
3. No, they don't brake at many tracks
4. No, they don't shift at many tracks

The offical lap record is 212 mph at Dega by Bill Elliot in 87. They restrict the cars to be under 200 mph for safety reasons. The world land speed record for a stock car is 247.8 mph straight line. As a comparison DeFerran did a 241 in a CART car at Fontana during a test.

No much out of Charlotte on the Kimi deal yet. Most if it is people in the know wondering why the hell he'd hook up with someone like the Gillet.

[artista]

ktsayshi, on Mar 29 2011, 21:46, said:

A certain number of the PR commitments are fan meetings during the race weekend. It seems to me that even many F1 guys would do more of those given the chance.

In Rallying, they have this autograph session with the fans after shakedown, and he does it without problems. But then, rallying atmosphere is quite "relaxed"

[DarthRonzo]

gm914, on Mar 29 2011, 17:42, said:

Imagine Kimi winning the Coca-Cola 500 driving a Dodge Magnum !!

Can you imagine the advertising potential

Kimi leads the race, opens a big gap and makes a looong pit stop at a convenience store [7-Eleven] for refreshment.
Then comes back to his car and wins the race.

Kind of Mika's NExpresso advertising.

Edited by DarthRonzo, 29 March 2011 - 20:07.

[OfficeLinebacker]

Villes Gilleneuve, on Mar 29 2011, 15:15, said:

4. No, they don't shift at many tracks

The only time they shift on the ovals is for pit road and restarts.

[OfficeLinebacker]

molson3530, on Mar 29 2011, 15:45, said:

His pre-race interviews would be hilarious.

More like his post-incident interviews.

loki, on Mar 29 2011, 15:52, said:

No much out of Charlotte on the Kimi deal yet. Most if it is people in the know wondering why the hell he'd hook up with someone like the Gillet.

Smart.

[billm99uk]

Yolandy, on Mar 29 2011, 18:45, said:

Typical Southern Nascar fans, or "NASCAR DADs", would like a Scandinavia blonde...lady

But seriously, not many racing fans know Kimi in the US, except those following F1.

When I was in Florida a few years ago Kimi's pic was on a TAG Heuer poster on every damn bus I got on (not named of course). They must have thought he was some Scandinavian male model. Maybe they could market him as "that blonde dude from the watch ads"...

[DLaw]

hotstickyslick, on Mar 29 2011, 12:06, said:

Maybe the fact that they stopped performing so well may have had something to do with it... Montoya took himself and Raikkonen out at the last GP he raced in IIRC. I'm sure if they were performing up to expectations they might've stuck around longer.

No.

[Yolandy]

billm99uk, on Mar 29 2011, 20:15, said:

When I was in Florida a few years ago Kimi's pic was on a TAG Heuer poster on every damn bus I got on (not named of course). They must have thought he was some Scandinavian male model. Maybe they could market him as "that blonde dude from the watch ads"...

Interesting. Never saw any when I was in the South. Kimi used to get a model look (even though not as tall) before he got chubby.

[bourbon]

intelligentsia, on Mar 29 2011, 18:56, said:

These are some quotes from the Robertsons it doesn't sound as certain as has been made out:

Quote

"Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 Formula One champion, is considering an offer to join a team in the Nascar auto-racing series, his agent David Robertson said.

Robertson declined to identify the team the 31-year-old Finn was talking to.

“Negotiations are ongoing but nothing is guaranteed,” Robertson said by telephone. “Somebody had come to us with an offer and we are considering it.”

http://www.bloomberg...ascar-team.html

I just read that too. In the end, I'll enjoy watching Kimi race in whatever aspect of motor racing he chooses - he is a blast a minute. I don't know if anyone or anything can make oval racing interesting, but watching Kimi handle a drive might be one of them... Still, I'll wait for final confirmation...

[hotstickyslick]

DLaw, on Mar 29 2011, 21:20, said:

No.

Disagree?

[PayasYouRace]

domhnall, on Mar 29 2011, 21:45, said:

So let's get down to the big issue. How badly will the american commentators mispronounce his name?

KIM-eye RAY-cone-ann

[CoolFiltered]

bourbon, on Mar 29 2011, 21:24, said:

http://www.bloomberg...ascar-team.html


I just read that too. In the end, I'll enjoy watching Kimi race in whatever aspect of motor racing he chooses - he is a blast a minute. I don't know if anyone or anything can make oval racing interesting, but watching Kimi handle a drive might be one of them... Still, I'll wait for final confirmation...

Like i said i've never been into Nascar, I dont have an opinion on it simply because i've never taken an interest in it. I just saw this clip posted elsewhere though, and this would keep me entertained whoever was driving.

[intelligentsia]

Yolandy, on Mar 29 2011, 22:23, said:

Interesting. Never saw any when I was in the South. Kimi used to get a model look (even though not as tall) before he got chubby.

Lol Kimi isn't chubby.

[CoolFiltered]

intelligentsia, on Mar 29 2011, 21:38, said:

Lol Kimi isn't chubby.

Comapred to JPM he's a supermodel

[Heasven]

WTF ?

but the prospect of Kimi doing Nascar PR ought to be something else

[wrighty]

can i just say how much i've enjoyed the multiple posts of HORROR that Kingmi would even consider something as silly and tawdry and backward as stock cars i'd forgotten how many blinkered buffoons there is on this BB


I look forward to watching him bring his doubtless talents to the ovals and trounce the opposition like his compardre F1 predecess........oh wait, none of em (i'm thinking Montoya and Villeneuve and Karthikeyan and Speed and Piquet jr etc etc etc) did......hell, don't tell me they actually need skill and technique and racecraft? To coin JP's fave phrase:

'Say it aint so Joe?!?!'

[DarthRonzo]

PayasYouRace, on Mar 29 2011, 18:26, said:

KIM-eye RAY-cone-ann ;)

King Ray Conan

Edited by DarthRonzo, 29 March 2011 - 20:59.

[PayasYouRace]

DarthRonzo, on Mar 29 2011, 22:59, said:

King Ray Conan

That would obviously be his nickname, like "Bobby D" (Robert Doornbos).

Edited by PayasYouRace, 29 March 2011 - 21:01.

[Tenmantaylor]

Kimi and Montoya in NASCAR. If anyone had suggested this 6 years ago when they were fighting each other for wins at McLaren... you just couldnt write it!

[fum3s]

Villes Gilleneuve, on Mar 29 2011, 16:09, said:

Can Kimi pronounce "y'all"?

Ol' Kimmy Ray Cooney? Sho' nuff.

[CoolFiltered]

4L3X, on Mar 29 2011, 21:53, said:

Well, what's the deal with doing Nascar PR? I don't remember anything awful in particular, actually you think you deal more with the fans than the press...

OTOH, where's that picture of Hamilton dangling from wires trying to look cool? THAT is an embarrassment no driver should be asked to do. I googled it, couldn't find it...

I'd rather be signing baseball caps all day, than doing McLaren PR sh**t anyday.

There's public relations, and then there's public humiliation

[Callisto]

PayasYouRace, on Mar 29 2011, 21:26, said:

KIM-eye RAY-cone-ann ;)

lol
Key-me-rake-oh-nen...lol

[Watkins74]

I believe Kimi attended the last Cup race of the year in 2010. Montoya really likes likes the NASCAR lifestyle, stay at the track in a million dollar coach and after the race get in your private jet and be sleeping in your own home that night. Maybe he sold Kimi on it.

[jjcale]

fum3s, on Mar 29 2011, 21:03, said:

Ol' Kimmy Ray Cooney? Sho' nuff.

Kimmy Ray

[Yolandy]

Watkins74, on Mar 29 2011, 22:37, said:

I believe Kimi attended the last Cup race of the year in 2010.

Kimi and Ken seem to be good buddies, and he met some big Nascar Designers, including Eric Warren and probably stayed with Ken Block at that time.

@EricWarren (2010-11-22 01:31:41):

Just spent time with Kimi Raikkonen at Homestead at the NASCAR race. What an awesome guy, can't wait to see what he says about the race.

Edited by Yolandy, 29 March 2011 - 21:48.

[hotstickyslick]

Tenmantaylor, on Mar 29 2011, 22:02, said:

Kimi and Montoya in NASCAR. If anyone had suggested this 6 years ago when they were fighting each other for wins at McLaren... you just couldnt write it!

Dude, that's like so mid-2000s


But yeah. Unbelievable. Montoya AND Raikkonen? In Nascar? In 2011?

[jjcale]

CoolFiltered, on Mar 29 2011, 20:32, said:

Like i said i've never been into Nascar, I dont have an opinion on it simply because i've never taken an interest in it. I just saw this clip posted elsewhere though, and this would keep me entertained whoever was driving.

Man... how'd they manange to do that without adjustable rear wings and fake rain??

[Watkins74]

jjcale, on Mar 29 2011, 21:40, said:

Kimmy Ray

[CoolFiltered]

jjcale, on Mar 29 2011, 22:48, said:

Man... how'd they manange to do that without adjustable rear wings and fake rain??

No kers neither *spit

No medals *spit

Just racing.

[CoolFiltered]

fum3s, on Mar 29 2011, 22:03, said:

Ol' Kimmy Ray Cooney? Sho' nuff.

That has the ring of a winner

[artista]

I keep thinking this story is very confusing.

He’s supposed to do Nascar and WRC at the same time. Except for the summer holidays, there’s a rally each 3 weeks. That means, Räikkönen would do two Nascar races, jump into a plane just after the race on Sunday to travel overseas to Europe (or Australia) to be there on Monday to start the recce early on Tuesday. Then he would be the whole week in Europe or Australia rallying to jump back into a plane to go back to the US to do another two Nascar races to jump back into a plane minutes after the race to go back to Europe…

And taking into consideration the time difference and how long it takes to fly to Australia, can he be there on time for recce at all? And he doesn’t have notes for that rally, so he better is awake during recce if he doesn’t want to go off on the first corner of the rally (or in shakedown).

[PayasYouRace]

CoolFiltered, on Mar 29 2011, 23:51, said:

Just racing.

Don't be silly. There's no racing in NASCAR. But there is loads of racin'. It's a bit like racing, but with more rubbin'.

[CoolFiltered]

PayasYouRace, on Mar 29 2011, 22:53, said:

Don't be silly. There's no racing in NASCAR. But there is loads of racin'. It's a bit like racing, but with more rubbin'.

I've already confessed my ignorance with regard to Nascar, but even i know you fergot the hollerin and the whoopin

The few vids i've looked at tonight have been a bit of an eye opener i must confess, i'm not holding my breath though insofar as Raikkonen going there, I can see reasons why he might, but just as many why he might not, but then he's always had the ability to spring a surprise so who knows.


Added: If those Gilletts are as ropey as some claim, i hope someones done their homework.

Edited by CoolFiltered, 29 March 2011 - 22:07.

[JamesRaynor]

Xpat, on Mar 30 2011, 04:46, said:

Kimi doesn't race in F1 for the same reason JPM doesn't, they don't want to because they don't like it. And no one will take them at their word.

The below picture illustrates why Kimi and Montoya are no longer in F1



They both tried so hard, for so long to resist, but eventually . . . . .