Minardi Team USA (merged) - Page 7

dedalus5150 · 18 Dec 2006, 15:24 (Ref:1793700)

Excellent news! Paul is quite a character and should spice things up a bit next year. I may shed a tear of joy if I get to see the Minardi name in victory lane...

enemy-ace · 18 Dec 2006, 15:42 (Ref:1793715)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dedalus5150

I may shed a tear of joy if I get to see the Minardi name in victory lane...

You and I both. I grew to love the Minardi team in F1 and I am tickled to see them continue in Champ Car.
Stoddart will be an excellent edition to the cast of characters whether you love him or hate him.

Fogelhund · 18 Dec 2006, 18:14 (Ref:1793839)

Quote:

Originally Posted by enemy-ace

You and I both. I grew to love the Minardi team in F1 and I am tickled to see them continue in Champ Car.
Stoddart will be an excellent edition to the cast of characters whether you love him or hate him.

I think many people cheered for Minardi in F1, as everyone loves an underdog. I also agree that with the addition of Stoddart, this could be an excellent edition of CCWS.

Leighton Irwin · 18 Dec 2006, 18:41 (Ref:1793857)

A great addition. It will be fun to see what 'outrageous' comments that crazy but loveable Aussie makes. Crazy like a fox.
Where would motorsport be without the Aussies?

luke · 18 Dec 2006, 18:44 (Ref:1793858)

We all loved the underdog in Formula 1 and him fighting with the big teams and personalities off the track.

My favourite all time Minardi moment was Melbourne 2002 when Mark Webber came 5th I believe in his first race and him and Paul made it onto the podium.

I wonder how many ex Minardi mechanics and team principles he'll bring to the CTE/HVM camp?

Rime · 18 Dec 2006, 19:33 (Ref:1793922)

I rest my case...

Paul Stoddart has admitted that there could be major Dutch interest in Minardi Team USA in 2007, and that it may involve Jos Verstappen becoming one of their drivers.

Stoddart, together with Keith Wiggins and Champ Car President Steve Johnson, held a press conference today following the announcement that the Australian has bought a controlling interest in CTE Racing-HVM.

Stoddart confirmed that Dutch businessman Harry Muermans, who backed Jan Heylen at Dale Coyne Racing this season and Stoddart's Minardi team in Formula One, will also have an association with the team.

Stoddart declared: "Harry Muermans is not just a business partner but also a friend of mine, and he will have some involvement in the team. The exact nature of this has not yet been finalised.

"Regarding drivers, Jos [Verstappen] and I go back a long way, and I think he'd be an asset to the team and to the series. We're also talking to Robert Doornbos, who I think is a very talented driver."

To a Dutch journalist, Stoddart remarked: "Expect an exciting announcement in the New Year."

Dutch chap · 18 Dec 2006, 19:36 (Ref:1793925)

Source?

Hazard · 18 Dec 2006, 19:46 (Ref:1793933)

Bit upset it's a replacement rather than an addition - especially considering how much HVM progressed last year.

morpun86 · 18 Dec 2006, 19:52 (Ref:1793939)

does anyone know if yorkshireman Dan Clark will keep his seat next year?

CSF · 18 Dec 2006, 20:00 (Ref:1793950)

dont know depends on what stoddy has planned. didnt he say ex-minardi drivers? i heard rumours of Zsolt Baumgartner... but that may have been F1 Rejects i cant remember!

luke · 18 Dec 2006, 20:02 (Ref:1793952)

As long as Nelson and Dan were still in the team I think that would be good as then maybe they could be a 3 car team with one of the ex F1 Minardi drivers bringing in more structure to the team which is no doubt happening...unlike Paul just hitching up a tent on his own....

And also what Rime posted in the other related thread ::

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rime

I rest my case...

Paul Stoddart has admitted that there could be major Dutch interest in Minardi Team USA in 2007, and that it may involve Jos Verstappen becoming one of their drivers.

Stoddart, together with Keith Wiggins and Champ Car President Steve Johnson, held a press conference today following the announcement that the Australian has bought a controlling interest in CTE Racing-HVM.

Stoddart confirmed that Dutch businessman Harry Muermans, who backed Jan Heylen at Dale Coyne Racing this season and Stoddart's Minardi team in Formula One, will also have an association with the team.

Stoddart declared: "Harry Muermans is not just a business partner but also a friend of mine, and he will have some involvement in the team. The exact nature of this has not yet been finalised.

"Regarding drivers, Jos [Verstappen] and I go back a long way, and I think he'd be an asset to the team and to the series. We're also talking to Robert Doornbos, who I think is a very talented driver."

To a Dutch journalist, Stoddart remarked: "Expect an exciting announcement in the New Year."

CSF · 18 Dec 2006, 20:07 (Ref:1793958)

ahh good quality drivers phew i had myself worried for a minute

Rime · 18 Dec 2006, 20:10 (Ref:1793964)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch chap

Source?

Autosport.com and Pitpass

Fogelhund · 18 Dec 2006, 20:29 (Ref:1793989)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazard

Bit upset it's a replacement rather than an addition - especially considering how much HVM progressed last year.

This is supposed to mean additional cars... one or two, don't know yet.

Dutch chap · 18 Dec 2006, 20:59 (Ref:1794021)

Ok, thanks for that.

I very much doubt that Verstappen has any sponsors left, at least not for the amount of money that is required. Don't mention Trust. It is not going to happen.

As for Doornbos, who knows.... If he can't get a drive in F1, he may be persuaded to move to Champcars.

Rime · 18 Dec 2006, 21:16 (Ref:1794027)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch chap

Ok, thanks for that.

I very much doubt that Verstappen has any sponsors left, at least not for the amount of money that is required. Don't mention Trust. It is not going to happen.

As for Doornbos, who knows.... If he can't get a drive in F1, he may be persuaded to move to Champcars.

Nah, Doornbos will be in F1 testing for RBR or racing for STR.

Dunno about sponsors and Verstappen, but Muermans could be one and (sorry to mention this) Perridon and Verstappen are also friends again. But latest rumours over here are that Verstappen will drive CCWS next season but not for Minardi...

Dutch chap · 18 Dec 2006, 21:24 (Ref:1794036)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rime

Nah, Doornbos will be in F1 testing for RBR or racing for STR.

....Perridon and Verstappen are also friends again.....

Forget it. Last time I met the man he was litterary crying for being robbed by those b......s. "Woonwagenbewoners" was the phrase he used. Don't make the mistake to just look at press releases but know people...

norman-normal · 18 Dec 2006, 21:57 (Ref:1794069)

It certainly would not be easy to cut either of CTE's drivers loose after this years performance, next to AJ, they were the surprise of the year.

Rime · 18 Dec 2006, 22:10 (Ref:1794086)

The info I get is that those two are buddies again, but we'll have tot wait untill next month before we know that for sure...

http://www.verstappen.nl/picture/200.../strydbyl1.jpg

The Snout · 18 Dec 2006, 23:17 (Ref:1794145)

Good addition. Hope he hires quality and becomes a solid team in the series.

ozrevhead · 18 Dec 2006, 23:20 (Ref:1794146)

Quote:

Originally Posted by luke

As long as Nelson and Dan were still in the team I think that would be good as then maybe they could be a 3 car team with one of the ex F1 Minardi drivers bringing in more structure to the team which is no doubt happening...unlike Paul just hitching up a tent on his own....

And also what Rime posted in the other related thread ::

true what they say

its who you know and how much dollars you can pull out of your $$$$$$

mp356a · 18 Dec 2006, 23:52 (Ref:1794171)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazard

Bit upset it's a replacement rather than an addition - especially considering how much HVM progressed last year.

Concur.

Hazza · 19 Dec 2006, 00:06 (Ref:1794180)

One interesting (Or not) peice of trivia is this team will be combining the powers of 2 ex-formula one team.

Should be called Simtek-Minardi.

Rime · 19 Dec 2006, 00:14 (Ref:1794190)

...you mean Pacific-Minardi-Racing...

or will Nick Wirth be one of the new owners?

Snrub · 19 Dec 2006, 03:20 (Ref:1794251)

It's too bad in a way, but it's better that a team was saved than lost. Wiggans will revert back to his old role of doing the day to day running of the team. Say what you will about Stoddart, but he did an excellent job of bringing in talented people behind the scenes at Minardi. As Ross Dennis once said, it was hands down the most efficient with resources of any team in F1. A few million dollars can do wonders in a typical champ car team. I would not be at all surprised to see the team consistantly challange NH, Forsythe and RuSport (assuming they retain their form).

Some of the "rejects" that Stoddart might bring to the team are not exactly untalented drivers. I cannot imagine that Philippe would be booted out of the team, but I could see Clark.

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