14 replies to this topic

[Lantern]

Bernie should find a way to get GM/Chevy to enter the F1 arena. If he could pull that off then Ford would change the name back from Jaguar. Then those two manufacturers would foot the promotional bills for F1 in the U.S. with big bragging commercials.


As to how this relates to fan support. Almost every Nascar argument sooner or later degrades into a Ford vs. Chevy debate. So, why not use the same competitive spirit to drive another series?

The only problem with this is that both manufacturers would have to start at or near the top before they would want to go full out. In other words... we would run the risk of F1 becoming fully Big manufacturer centric with all the (UGLY)sponsor stickers that come with them.

[Lantern]

Simple solution with not so simple results ;)

[FordPrefect]

Good thought, GL

I don't have anything to go on but my gut instinct but I don't think that GM's involvement would be good for F1 in the long run. I think they are being run by 'bean counters' not engineers, and I just don't seem to see them making any long term commitments.

The Chev/Ford rivalry could be interesting however.

All the Best FP

[Keith Steele]

The Ford/Chevy thing is something of a joke in reality. In Nascar, you need to have about 6 spots on the cars body that match the production model. I was watching some Busch driver the other night who is a Ford driver say he wished he was driving a Chevy (might have been the other way around). But only because one make gets to have its rear spoiler a few degrees the other way. But if you think you can sell them on something as simple as a GM car being there, then you will have to have an American driver to go with it.

[Skid Jackson]

mmmmmmmm.... you might be on to something there Lantern!! After all Cadillac is headed for LeMans.... you never know maybe its a tune up for bigger and better things!! They did say they went racing because they want to attract a younger crowd(in 20 years all their current customers will be dead!) Open wheel racing fits their High buck image!! Imagine a Caddy beating a Ferrari over the line!!
NEWS FLASH!!!
The entire country of Italy fell over dead today after Cadillac's historic Formula One win at todays 2005 Monaco Grand Prix the win was even more shocking as it came with rookie sensation Dale Ernhardt Jr.(newly arrived two time Winston Cup Champion) at the wheel of the Caddy. Junior Drove a masterful race and passed two time WDC Juan Pablo Montoya and his Ferrari for the win on the last lap. Retired F1 superstar Michael Schumacher who was in attendance at todays race also passed away from a heart attack shortly after the finish.!!

In related news a fan who was found laughing uncontrollably has admitted to the local sanitorium. While the individual hasn't stopped laughing long enough for authorities to be able to get a proper identity. They have what they believe is the first part of his name. The name is Frans MSH. If any one knows the identity of this individual please contact authorities as they wish to send him back to where ever he came from!!!

.......something to ponder eh!!

[mono-posto]

Skid,

The only way I want to see a Caddy on the F1 grid is if it's pink!! Bull horns on the front would be awesome too! And maybe 'High Times' could be the title sponsor. The possibilities!

[Joe Fan]

Lantern, your right. Having a Ford/GM battle in F1 would create more interest than having an American driver like Jeff Gordon or Tony Stewart (or both) in the series. That Ford vs. GM rivalry is bigger than people think and it has helped create NASCAR to what it is today.

P.S. Did you hear that Chevrolet is thinking about changing their bowtie emblem to one that is teardrop shaped to fit their racing program image?

[This message has been edited by Joe Fan (edited 03-09-2000).]

[f1speed]

You may be on to something there skid, Caddys & Jags! McLaren prepares the Caddy engine already, they may have something up their sleeve and the USGP would be right for them if they could be competive. American engineering would be insignificant as they seem to go to the highest bidder anyway.

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"If you think you can or if you think you can't, your right" Henry Ford

[Yelnats]

Joe Fan, I presume you used drivers like Gordon and Stewart as examples of Americans in F1 as a theoretical discusion topic only. Considering the problems top CART drivers (a more closely related series) have making the grade in F1 lately it seems highly improbable that NASCAR specialists would succeed where these guy have failed!

In spite of the apparent popularity of F1 in the States during the 70's and 80's I think it was more of a marketing phemomenom than a comercial success. The television networks saw F1 as a marketable sport and promoted it for 10 or fifteen years. But it never caught on to become a popular item and withered away. I see no reason for this to change in the forseeable future any more than I see soocer competing with American football any time soon.

[Lantern]

I hate to go off of my own topic but, with the recent success in the women's world cup soccer has caused a massive surge in the U.S.

Now, if I can find a way to get lacrosse into a profitable sceme I love that sport....especially indoors.


Now, back to my topic.

With Toyota's entry into F1 if they are successful I see them using it as a major marketing campain against the other big corps.(they do have great comercials). Maybe that would spur Chevy/GM to enter and Ford to open the pocketbook.



[This message has been edited by Lantern (edited 03-09-2000).]

[Joe Fan]

Yelnats, very few CART drivers have done real well in NASCAR. They generally start off crawling before they do very well. One F1 season in a crap second Williams F1 ride did not set the record straight on Zanardi or the caliber of talent of CART drivers.

[Lantern]

Also,


I wouldn't be so quick to say that Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon wouldn't do as well if not better than some of the CART guys going to F1.


....And Joe, I wouldn't exactly call it "one" year if F1 for Zanardi....he had a chance before. Ralf seemed to do OK in a "crap" Williams.

[f1speed]

Well once Zanardi had a most excelent start but his crap car would not keep going and he flagged Ralfie by. The best car usually wins in F1.

[desmo]

Chevy won't enter F1 for the same reason they won't enter CART. They lack the in-house technical expertise to compete and they know it.

[Psychoman]

I remember there was a rumor a ways back about GM buying a stake in Benetton--although now it seems that unless GM buys Renault, that won't happen Brock Yates' column in this month's C&D brings up the possibility, pointing out we have the technology, but all we need is financial backing, most likely from Silicon Valley...

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"Hey there, all you middle men
Throw away your fancy clothes
And while you're out there sittin' on a fence
So get off your ass and come down here
'Cause rock 'n' roll ain't no riddle man
To me it makes good, good sense"
-Brian Johnson