2013 Silly Season (Merged)

[Razor]

Seems Charlie's phone runneth over.

Well let's see who we think could be in the new FPR 4th car:

Chaz Mostert: Driving for Ford Performance Racing’s and is the first driver linked to Schwerkolt’s entry. Mostert currently leads this year’s Dunlop Series. However, a lack of main game experience will hurt him in chances going for the drive.

James Moffat: Currently driving with Schwerkolt’s REC as the #18 Norton DJR Ford Falcon, Moffat has also driven with FPR at Bathurst in 2010 as Steven Richards' co-driver and also with the satellite team Norton-Ford Rising Stars in the then known Fujitsu Series. Moffat can bring good sponsorship money cashing in on his last name (being the son of Bathurst legend Allan Moffat) and has the car speed but his form this year may work against him with inconsistent results. Next year could we see once again a Norton backed factory Ford Falcon?

James Courtney: Even though he's stated that's he's a HRT man through and through, weirder things have happened in the world of V8 Supercars. Courtney has worked with Schwerkolt in the past with DJR and has done wonders for the blue oval winning their first championship since Triple Eight defected to the red lion. But his form with the factory Holden squad has been nothing but disappointing. Could we see a #66 Pepsi Max black/blue coloured Ford with "Courtney" written on the side? Time will tell.

Andrew Thompson: A bit surprising this one. He's the new Steve Owen, been in and out of the championship, has had results and is quick but at the same time he's had some bad luck come his way. He's no stranger in the main game, racing for Paul Weel Racing in 2008 and done the odd enduros, last time with TeamVodafone with the #88 car. He does have ties with Monster Energy so he can bring some pace and money to the car if Monster doesn't go to Triple Eight's main game cars as title sponsor.

Taz Douglas: Another one that is surprising. Even though sitting in 23rd in the championship, his boss Lucas Dumbrell has quoted: "....is disappointed with the season so far." Being in a single car team with no other setup data and being Taz's first year in the main game can be seen as very tough. A change of scenery to a factory squad and some very decent team mates can help in more ways than one for the guy who has been called "a fighter both on and off the track." (Owing to his terrible bout with Lymphatic Cancer)

[Umai Naa]

Some interesting scenarios there.

I'd hardly see LDM's season as a disappointment. They're doing as good as, if not slightly better than they were when Dan Gaunt piloted the ex-WR nugget.

Perhaps they're trying to do things their way, instead of the Triple 8 way...

[Peregrine]

As per Speedcafe it looks like another of the sports major sponsors is departing the scene. Unless of course they are playing musical chairs again to join 888 ?

http://t.co/Y2OsgQy6

[Just Do It!]

Will parent company BigPond be next?

[GTRMagic]

Not good news, but the brand wasnt leveraged to achieve incremental sales..

Where will FPR look to underprice an existing participant in the sport now?

[GTRMagic]

19x 2013 Teams Without Confirmed Major Sponsors

[mspence]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

19x 2013 Teams Without Confirmed Major Sponsors

And rumours that the cash from the TV deal - if there is any guaranteed cash - is not up to the expectations means a fairly dicey time for all.

Could be that the cash injection from TV deal comes from ad funding, rather than direct TV station payment.

[rik]

Originally Posted by mspence

And rumours that the cash from the TV deal - if there is any guaranteed cash - is not up to the expectations means a fairly dicey time for all.

And not having a TV deal announced wouldn't be helping all those teams secure sponsors for next year....

[Mixer]

LOCKWOOD Racing team boss Brad Jones says he wants to keep Fabian Coulthard for 2013, despite the Kiwi being the latest driver linked with Charlie Schwerkolt’s, Ford Performance Racing-run entry next year.

http://www.v8supercars.com.au/champi...5/default.aspx

Fabs could be a key player in the silly season, he's been a Fordie before. He's been pretty good this year but has had some mechanical dramas and I wasn't really impressed with his prang into Rick at Townsville.

[Razor]

http://www.speedcafe.com/2012/07/12/...-kelly-racing/

Seems Mr Caurso is being hunted by the Kelly-NISMO team. Could we see a Fujitsu backed Nissan while Greg Murphy takes Mike's spot at GRM?

[rik]

Originally Posted by Razor

[url]Could we see a Fujitsu backed Nissan while Greg Murphy takes Mike's spot at GRM?

I doubt Fujitsu will be backing Nissan as they are contracted to GRM until the end of 2013:

http://www.grmotorsport.com.au/grm-Fujitsu.php

Also I can't see Garry wanting an old guy like Murphy who's well past his peak.

[Axeman444]

Originally Posted by Mixer

http://www.v8supercars.com.au/champi...5/default.aspx

Fabs could be a key player in the silly season, he's been a Fordie before. He's been pretty good this year but has had some mechanical dramas and I wasn't really impressed with his prang into Rick at Townsville.

i assume there is no option clause on his WR contract. but i guess Mr Percat has 1st dibbs on any seat over there...

Originally Posted by rik

I doubt Fujitsu will be backing Nissan as they are contracted to GRM until the end of 2013:

http://www.grmotorsport.com.au/grm-Fujitsu.php

Also I can't see Garry wanting an old guy like Murphy who's well past his peak.

that all depends if Garry needs the almighty Pepsi $$, assuming its Murph and not KR that Pepsi want the most

[Umai Naa]

I would think that Pepsi would prefer to ride on the coat tails of the Nissan inclusion, rather than that of Murphy and his replacements bumbling around at the rear of the field.

[GTRMagic]

Somehow it seems we are going to get a new story every week how Driver X or Pilot Y or Superstar Z is being linked to Kelly Racing for 2013.

Do they really know who is in the 3rd & 4th cars, and using this as a distracting smoke screen? Or are prospective pilots still having to give their credit card details before talks commence?

All the talk of Nissan factory 'millions' seems to just be talk... sure the contribution to the Kelly Racing squad is much more than Holden has provided recently, however most of it seems to be in kind (parts or knowledge..) not raw dollars.. certainly not enough to start paying people market rates for their drives..

There is still a lot of water to go under the bridge for 2013... while there was chat on SpeedCafeAd about HRT *not* being for sale.. there are noises around suggesting someone is in the field, tyre kicking, at one of the current teams who has courted a car maker (and missed out..)

Lets see what happens next...

[GTRMagic]

Mr Fabulous to FPR??

[Razor]

Hmm, a lot of people in the running for the 4th FPR car. It'll come down to who's fast on the track and bank account accessibility.

[rik]

Originally Posted by Axeman444

that all depends if Garry needs the almighty Pepsi $$, assuming its Murph and not KR that Pepsi want the most

Ummm, Fujitsu have title sponsorship rights at GRM until end of 2013, signed less than a year ago. I don't see how they could accommodate Pepsi?

[rik]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Do they really know who is in the 3rd & 4th cars, and using this as a distracting smoke screen? Or are prospective pilots still having to give their credit card details before talks commence?

Hopefully Nissan do have some sort of budget set aside for obtaining quality drivers for the 3rd and 4th cars!

Who'd be on their list and out of contract? Fabs, Caruso, anyone else? Villeneuve?

[GTRMagic]

SBR 'Completely Committed To Ford"

So there!

[smokin'joe]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

SBR 'Completely Committed To Ford"

So there!

is that why Matt has broken away from SBR though?? young McLaughlin has Indian manufacturer support ??

[ford71]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Mr Fabulous to FPR??

"I didn’t hire him with the intention for him to be here just for one season.”

Coulthard is out of contract at the end of the season

If that was not the intention then why a single year contract?

[T-star]

I think he is 'on loan' from Walkinshaw.

There is a video of Walky stating that he will have Fabian back in 2013.

I don't see how though...

[Razor]

Originally Posted by T-star

I think he is 'on loan' from Walkinshaw.

There is a video of Walky stating that he will have Fabian back in 2013.

I don't see how though...

Will Uncle Brad and Uncle Kim buy out his contract so he can stay in the Lockwood car?

[kurski]

World Touring Car front-runner Rob Huff has indicated his interest in seeking a full-time drive in V8 Supercars.

[Mixer]

Originally Posted by kurski

World Touring Car front-runner Rob Huff has indicated his interest in seeking a full-time drive in V8 Supercars.

After seeing someone as well credentialled as Mr Premat struggle, is anybody else going to take the chance?