Tassie Devilment (ambrose to 888 )

Sniffer Dog · 24 Oct 2003, 13:53 (Ref:761942)

Posted this as a reply on another thread but perhaps it's too good not to have as its own thread:

We wonder if the "Tassie Devil" is a little distracted! Some juicy rumours doing the rounds at Indy car since last night, with the key one being that the above mentioned Marcos supposedly being offered (and accepting) a big - and I mean BIG - carrot from 888 Racing to join their squad next season!

How big? Try 7 figures! And plenty - 1.5 mil being the suggestion - along with 2 key techical people, one being Campbell Little.

These Poms will ruin this series if that's the game they're playing - let's not forget that FPR keeps "quacking" about "wait 'til we get out new engines from England!" Haven't we got Aussies that can build a race engine anymore? Do we have send our Pacific Pesos to the UK?

Wizzby · 24 Oct 2003, 14:02 (Ref:761950)

Hmmm, is that supposedly a year or is that over 3 or something years?

Big price to pay for a guy who hasn't proven himself a championship winner just yet.... (I said YET before you all jump on me!)

Sniffer Dog · 24 Oct 2003, 14:08 (Ref:761954)

Don't know for sure, but I think it's PER YEAR! can't imagine him leaving for 500k per year - especially from that team, where I would think he'd be earning in that region anyway!

Wizzby · 24 Oct 2003, 14:11 (Ref:761957)

That's nearly twice what Skaifey was earning after winning 5 championships, so the question has to be asked... WHY?!

RaceTime · 24 Oct 2003, 21:10 (Ref:762257)

Its called inflation and investing in future talent. Skaife is distracted and doesn't have youth on his side any more...

It could also be seen as a failure on Skaifes part to negotiate a 'reasonably' package.

jetsetter · 24 Oct 2003, 21:51 (Ref:762280)

If the rumour is true than that's a huge punt taken by triple eight.

rustyinsthoz · 24 Oct 2003, 23:15 (Ref:762323)

1.5 million per year . I don't think so . I have no idea what the top paid drivers earn the V8s , But that sounds over the top . Mabye someone could enlighten us on what the top paid drivers earn in the V8s .

RaceTime · 24 Oct 2003, 23:30 (Ref:762333)

Unless you know the full extent of a drivers contract, any figure that is put here is speculation only - for ANY driver.

We have no idea if they are just drivers, includes marketing, name-lending rights etc.

Besides - what business is it of ours (or anyone else for that matter) how much a driver is paid?

MHDT · 25 Oct 2003, 02:40 (Ref:762421)

There are occasional reports in the papers re: Australia's top sportmen's salaries.

The last one I saw (early 90's) had Geg Norman at the top of the list; DJ came in # 500 or so, with earings listed at approximately $500k PA.

RaceTime · 25 Oct 2003, 02:59 (Ref:762427)

Not salaries exactly - prize money winning. That sort of thing is relatively easy to find out - except for Soupcars as they don't publicise prize money (is there any????)

Scott75 · 25 Oct 2003, 04:04 (Ref:762451)

Just watching the Indy round of the V8's and Greg Rust mentioned that there is a strong rumor of Ambrose going to 888 Racing next year. I don't know how much creedence this has but I found it very interesting. He also mentioned that there is quite a lot of tension at SBR. Also Greg Rust said that Max Wilson could leave DJR. If all this is true, I would think that Winterbottom would replace Marcos and Brabham to replace Wilson.

Like I said I don't know how of this is true, maybe someone on this forum might know, what about you GTR as you seem to know what's happening most of the time??

pete55 · 25 Oct 2003, 05:31 (Ref:762468)

I don t think Brabham will replace Wilson.

Levi · 25 Oct 2003, 11:35 (Ref:762585)

Considering Marcos in under contract until December 31, 2005 with SBR maybe the suggested $1.5million isn't so crazy, after all the current contract would have to be bought out.

As for the suggestion that Campbell Little would go with him, that I will call crazy, he was the Stonies first ever employee, and he'll be around them for a long time to come yet.

Sniffer, may I ask where the hell you get your info from???? Cause it's bloody good info (if it's anywhere near correct that is)

Fordplay · 25 Oct 2003, 11:55 (Ref:762596)

Quote:

Originally posted by Levi
Considering Marcos in under contract until December 31, 2005 with SBR maybe the suggested $1.5million isn't so crazy, after all the current contract would have to be bought out.

Forgive me if i'm wrong, but Marcos is contracted to Ford, not SBR.

Levi · 25 Oct 2003, 11:59 (Ref:762600)

Nope, he's very much contracted to the team. If you don't believe me then ask the team.

I believe the email address reads something like:

mark@stonebrothersracing.com.au

FPR567 · 25 Oct 2003, 13:11 (Ref:762662)

MA made it very clear today that he is staying at SBR.But a very good rumour that HRO started to put MA off the boil.Seems it didn't work.

Levi · 25 Oct 2003, 13:14 (Ref:762665)

Hope your right FPR567, that team/driver combo is a pretty strong one that it would be sad to loose.

Wizzby · 25 Oct 2003, 13:56 (Ref:762695)

It's weird isn't it, Skaifey earns $800,000 a year and he's overpaid. It gets rumoured that Ambrose will get paid $1.5mil and it's worthwhile

Phase3 · 25 Oct 2003, 21:24 (Ref:763020)

Skaifey pays himself 800k? I think he needs to have words with himself!

Evomike · 25 Oct 2003, 21:29 (Ref:763023)

Quote:

Originally posted by RaceTime
Not salaries exactly - prize money winning. That sort of thing is relatively easy to find out - except for Soupcars as they don't publicise prize money (is there any????)

Yes but usually goes to the team.

RaceTime · 25 Oct 2003, 21:43 (Ref:763028)

I realise that - the point is, Soupcars keep it secret, unlike other sports. Have to ask yourself why they do this....

Evomike · 25 Oct 2003, 21:47 (Ref:763032)

Quote:

Originally posted by RaceTime
I realise that - the point is, Soupcars keep it secret, unlike other sports. Have to ask yourself why they do this....

Probably because level 2 teams would get upset at how much level 1 teams get

No seriously, I don't know what level 1 teams get but level 2 teams get stuff all. Wouldn't pay the fuel bill for a race meet.

**GTRMagic** · 27 Oct 2003, 07:19 (Ref:764174)

Interesting rumour, which was the highlight of the paddock chat... except for the few problems that Levi seems to have covered.

Dollars can cure most things obviously, but those sorts of numbers are delusional... there are single car teams operating on a tick over half that amount...

I think it may be about time we had a thought or three as to who would benefit most from a rumour such as this. Anyone would think this was an attempt to derail the championship leading team huh...

... now given that there are 4 cars in the hunt for the series win, and 2 of them are SBR, it doesnt really give you many to play with to figure out who may have been incentivised to start such noise!

moffman · 27 Oct 2003, 07:23 (Ref:764177)

Quote:

Originally posted by Wizzby
That's nearly twice what Skaifey was earning after winning 5 championships, so the question has to be asked... WHY?!

Easily answered,Ambrose is a vastly superior driver.

Grimace · 27 Oct 2003, 07:28 (Ref:764183)

Quote:

Originally posted by moffman
Easily answered,Ambrose is a vastly superior driver.

Youre right - Moffman and he is not only superior he has a longer career potential being much younger than Skaife

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