Wilson Out

BOF · 22 Nov 2004, 08:33 (Ref:1160524)

Wilson will not be racing for 888 at EC or again for that matter as they have parted ways, effective Immediately.

Canto to drive the Max machine, with Luff said to get the fulltime gig in 2005.

Nicholosophy · 22 Nov 2004, 08:46 (Ref:1160527)

That's a shame as Canto deserves the drive full time in 05 I believe...

resisturban · 22 Nov 2004, 08:48 (Ref:1160529)

wow,

thats a bit rash for a 2nd post

Placebo · 22 Nov 2004, 08:50 (Ref:1160532)

I can believe the first bit - rapt about the second bit - spewin' if the last bit is right!

Gracer · 22 Nov 2004, 09:10 (Ref:1160554)

Who are your sources. From what I've heard, Max has parted ways with 888 but he will finish the end of the year and no one has signed for next year. There are a few names floating around including Luff and Canto but none of them are confirmed. If this had been confirmed there would have been a press release about it. Also as far as I know, Canto is no longer contracted to 888, his contract ended after the endurance races so he wouldn't necessarily drive for them at EC.

TSR · 22 Nov 2004, 09:56 (Ref:1160593)

Is there something going on at 888. What with Max the axe leaving and SBR building there engines, just smell fishy that something is wrong at 888.
I hope I am very wrong.

**GTRMagic** · 22 Nov 2004, 10:18 (Ref:1160616)

Whispers from the powder room suggest Mr Wilson is indeed leaving the team, but not until after Eastern Creek...

Six drivers apparently in the possibles department:
- P.Radisich
- L.Youlden
- W.Luff
- C.McLean
- D.Canto
- N.McFadyen

... with A.Tratt a possible 3rd 888 entry running a 2004-spec car

peckstar · 22 Nov 2004, 10:19 (Ref:1160617)

good gain for 888 if it is true. Hope it is

barney551 · 22 Nov 2004, 10:44 (Ref:1160641)

I hope that comment "good gain" wasnt about Tratt... he is just another hazard.

Canto may have been off contract at 888 but he has still been testing since Bathurst and it was likely to be driving for what was looking more and more like their lites team (Howard Racing) and contracted for the enduros.

Shame if they shaft him now after all his hard work and loyalty up till now.

peckstar · 22 Nov 2004, 10:52 (Ref:1160652)

we posted at the same time, so i hadnt seen GTR's post. but this would mean then that SBR would be a 7 engine provder. Does that craete an even more difficult supply problem.

I would be suprised if Tratt just left holden after one year, too much cost involved.

Plus 888 could then potential be linked as a 3 car team affecting practise and pit boom's

**GTRMagic** · 22 Nov 2004, 10:55 (Ref:1160654)

Mr Tratt is not a factory-supported driver... he could run either brand of car and not get factory assistance...

... but that seems not to be a bother to this team.

The whispers around Mr Tratt had something to do with transport & warehousing supply to the 888 major sponsors...

peckstar · 22 Nov 2004, 10:57 (Ref:1160657)

but he still has to pay for the new car and without factory sponsorship that could be costly

barney551 · 22 Nov 2004, 10:58 (Ref:1160659)

Maybe Canto will get the main drive and tratt will go to the lites in howARDS CAR

**GTRMagic** · 22 Nov 2004, 10:59 (Ref:1160660)

Mr Tratt's team, until recently, had every race car he and Mr Little had ever run. The sale of the AU to Mr Evangelou, the rumoured sale of the BA to Mr Bright/Mr Fernandez and the other AU in AA for sale at a very keen price should generate enough funding to make such things possible....

peckstar · 22 Nov 2004, 11:01 (Ref:1160664)

and i guess 888 have a few spare cars lying round, although you would update the suspension components pretty quick

**GTRMagic** · 22 Nov 2004, 11:02 (Ref:1160666)

I had an interesting thought... there was noise not that long ago that Mr Lowndes had wanted someone specifically in the #2 seat at 888 when he moved there...

... that driver subsequently took a lead driver position in a team with unconfirmed 2005 sponsorship...

... and somehow in the meantime, Ford has wangled SBR engines for the 888 equipe...

... I wonder if Ford would also exert influence on the team where this driver is supposed to go and bring the driver into the 888 squad to make the lead driver happier, with someone from a familiar environment aboard....

barney551 · 22 Nov 2004, 11:03 (Ref:1160667)

Howard racing were getting the 2004 spec cars from 888

peckstar · 22 Nov 2004, 11:06 (Ref:1160669)

but now your talking in riddles. i would think seto is where he should be, its like brock and moffatt teaming together

Placebo · 22 Nov 2004, 11:08 (Ref:1160672)

Quote:

Originally posted by barney551
Shame if they shaft him now after all his hard work and loyalty up till now.

We truly are like-minded barney.
I too believe Dean will be hard done by if shafted by 888 after the last 12 months. He's been dealt some pretty crappy cards, kept smiling and got on with being a real asset to the team.
I know when it comes down to it, they'll do what they feel is the right business decision. But it's not as if the kid can't drive!

Do nice guys ALWAYS have to finish last?

barney551 · 22 Nov 2004, 11:11 (Ref:1160674)

Placebo

Does this mean that you have heard some news!!!!

Placebo · 22 Nov 2004, 11:12 (Ref:1160675)

Nothing more yet - just agreeing with your sentiments barney.

**GTRMagic** · 22 Nov 2004, 11:12 (Ref:1160676)

Quote:

Originally posted by barney551
Howard racing were getting the 2004 spec cars from 888

No, they are getting the 2003 cars from 888.... the yellow caged ones from the Briggs empire that were largely built up from the AUs... and AA claimed had Craig driving one in his test day (which he didnt...)

**GTRMagic** · 22 Nov 2004, 11:14 (Ref:1160678)

Quote:

Originally posted by peckstar
but now your talking in riddles. i would think seto is where he should be, its like brock and moffatt teaming together

I am talking in riddles, but who would have thought Mr Wilson was also for the pack....

barney551 · 22 Nov 2004, 11:16 (Ref:1160682)

i believe on the same day that Lowndes tested Canto tested one of the 2004 cars for howard racing.... I could have been mistaken

**GTRMagic** · 22 Nov 2004, 11:18 (Ref:1160683)

Mr Canto drove one of the yellow roll-caged cars... while Mr Howard's transporter was in the background as Mr Lowndes was being filmed....

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