29-09-2002, 15:15
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Captain Paddock
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: St. Kat. Waver
Posts: 5,490
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Amerikaans F1 team?
2 artikels vanop www.autosport.com:
Quote:
US legends plan All-American F1 team.
Dan Gurney and Phil Hill behind ambitious plan.
Former US grand prix stars Dan Gurney and Phil Hill have announced shock plans to launch an all-American Formula 1 team to make its debut next year.
Details of the audacious move are sketchy, but Gurney explained some of the background behind the project at Indianapolis. A deal to run Ford Cosworth engines is on the table, he claimed, but did not discuss what chassis would be used or any potential buy-out of an existing team.
"I think by the middle of October we'll know more," said Gurney. "It would be American-owned and it will be with more than one person. I'd like it to be a US team with US drivers. The time is perfect for this to happen."
The plan was first born two and a half years ago, although 1961 world champion Hill only came on board recently. He has never been involved in team ownership, unlike Gurney who ran the Eagle-Weslake outfit in the '60s.
"It's going to require certain dominoes to start falling pretty quickly," said Gurney. "One of the key things now is engines. We have a commitment, but not a contract, with Ford Cosworth."
Gurney named two business partners, Bob Balachowski and Russ Olsen, who have completed "a lot of planning and leg-work". He added that F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has promised to do all he can to help the team get off the ground.
Gurney ran a Champ Car team known as the All-American Racers until 1999, when he pulled the plug on the outfit. It is unclear whether he plans to relaunch the squad or buy into an existing team like Arrows or Minardi.
"As a racing fan myself, I know fans will be stoked about this," Gurney said.
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American F1 team to start from scratch.
Teams will welcome Dan Gurney and Phil Hill.
It appears that the ambitious plans of Dan Gurney and Phil Hill to launch an All-American Formula 1 team revolve around an all-new stand alone project rather than an Arrows buy-out or equity purchase of an existing outfit.
With two slots vacant on the grid, it is actually a good time to launch a team without having to pay 'goodwill' for a current outfit.
McLaren boss Ron Dennis said: "I think these two guys, as long as they have the budget and they choose the right people, will bring something that we should really welcome. If we've got an American grand prix team, then you really have got something to pull the crowds in. But, as with so many things in this world, it's easy to say you are going to do something... We welcome them, but I don't think they realise how steep a hill it is that they are about to climb!"
Dennis added: "I've been around a while in motor sport and I know Phil and Dan very well. I've got fond memories of coming across Dan for the first time at Goodwood in 1965. It was the era when there were no seat belts and it was literally string-back gloves, short-sleeved shirts, goggles and open helmets.
"The most wonderful feature about Dan was that his feet were too big and he used to drive with the toes of his shoes cut off. It was rather strange seeing a guy walk to his car in his plimsolls with all his toes sticking out! That was when he was driving for Brabham. He was an extremely nice guy and has always been that way.
"His All American Racing team had superb cars, beautifully prepared, probably a bit overweight and without the best power plants in the world, but nevertheless really well run and professional. It will be interesting."
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