"FPR Needs Changes" - Frosty

**GTRMagic** · 26 Oct 2010, 04:29 (Ref:2780561)

Article Here

So Frosty quite rightly points out that the mistakes in the pitlane on the weekend were not the hallmarks of a professional racing team at this level. He suggests that each of these processes needs to be looked at to ensure the failures do not happen again. Mr Winterbottom also professes his love for his engineer

The team principal does the "Not my problem" bit, blaming the "inexperienced codrivers" for the problems at the weekend.

To me, the FPR team never really takes account of itself and any errors that go on. In a regular business, if a manager was in charge of a team that ran as hot and cold as this one in terms of results, they would be rotated out of the roster. But at FPR, it seems to just continue on.

Good on Mr Winterbottom for suggesting change needs to happen. Publicly, nobody else in that crew has had the courage to do so previously. Even in the dark days of the Sodemo million dollar external combusion engines, and 3 old cars for chassis, Mr Lowndes never suggested such change in public.

The frustration from Mr Winterbottom seems immense.

I wonder if the re-signing of his codriver, who had 2 mega crashes when in 2 strong race positions, is another of those things that he thinks requires review?

TSR · 26 Oct 2010, 04:54 (Ref:2780565)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Article Here

So Frosty quite rightly points out that the mistakes in the pitlane on the weekend were not the hallmarks of a professional racing team at this level. He suggests that each of these processes needs to be looked at to ensure the failures do not happen again. Mr Winterbottom also professes his love for his engineer

The team principal does the "Not my problem" bit, blaming the "inexperienced codrivers" for the problems at the weekend.

To me, the FPR team never really takes account of itself and any errors that go on. In a regular business, if a manager was in charge of a team that ran as hot and cold as this one in terms of results, they would be rotated out of the roster. But at FPR, it seems to just continue on.

Good on Mr Winterbottom for suggesting change needs to happen. Publicly, nobody else in that crew has had the courage to do so previously. Even in the dark days of the Sodemo million dollar external combusion engines, and 3 old cars for chassis, Mr Lowndes never suggested such change in public.

The frustration from Mr Winterbottom seems immense.

I wonder if the re-signing of his codriver, who had 2 mega crashes when in 2 strong race positions, is another of those things that he thinks requires review?

Could he also be previewing that Mr W.Davison is coming on board next year to help boost the results from a team veiw, as they have being lacking that in the teams championship over the last few years.

mac · 26 Oct 2010, 05:07 (Ref:2780570)

The only time I can recall FPR ever seeming moderately professional was when they had J.Bright leading the troupe and an emerging M.Winterbottom starting to annoy the contenders. They seemed to be getting their act together then...

Since Bright left, they have seemed almost inept in a significant number of areas. Not saying he was the reason - it just seemed like his departure coincided with their decline.

I wonder what Mr D.Richards thought of the team's progress after his visit to Bathurst...

marty71 · 26 Oct 2010, 08:02 (Ref:2780612)

In regards to sundays race Edwards and Little are totally at fault.The #6 car should have been told to stay out so they could pit there #1 man and fastest man all weekend. Trying to put the blame on Mr Power is laughable.

Ross Cadell · 26 Oct 2010, 08:11 (Ref:2780617)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac

The only time I can recall FPR ever seeming moderately professional was when they had J.Bright leading the troupe and an emerging M.Winterbottom starting to annoy the contenders. They seemed to be getting their act together then...

This would have been the work of a John Russell that was deemed no longer wanted by FPR. The same John Russell that has just been hired by 888 to be technical director from Williams GP.

Obviously a man of no skill. lol

eduardo1 · 26 Oct 2010, 08:51 (Ref:2780637)

Roland Dane and Dave Richards are both exceptionally smart, talented race team owners.

The difference is - one is hands on and personally oversees his team - the other is on the far side of the world.

Dane wanted to focus on his Australian outfit he moved here and sold his interests in the European operation. That's the kind of focus required.

He's the toughest task master in pit lane and he can make life tough for his team. But he gets results.

FPV8U · 26 Oct 2010, 10:44 (Ref:2780693)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Even in the dark days of the Sodemo million dollar external combusion engines, and 3 old cars for chassis, Mr Lowndes never suggested such change in public.

The frustration from Mr Winterbottom seems immense.

To be fair, Frosty has given FPR almost 5 seasons now, he should be in a position to speak his mind.

Mr Lowndes Cracked the $#!ts with a team in it's 2nd year of operation...

rik · 26 Oct 2010, 10:53 (Ref:2780697)

Quote:

Originally Posted by marty71

In regards to sundays race Edwards and Little are totally at fault.The #6 car should have been told to stay out so they could pit there #1 man and fastest man all weekend. Trying to put the blame on Mr Power is laughable.

Totally agree.... while Edwards continues to blame inexperienced drivers, bad luck, and other external forces, then FPR have no hope of sorting out their repeated cockups.

STEALTHY · 26 Oct 2010, 11:45 (Ref:2780719)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPV8U

To be fair, Frosty has given FPR almost 5 seasons now, he should be in a position to speak his mind.

Mr Lowndes Cracked the $#!ts with a team in it's 2nd year of operation...

And now look at him, a title contender the last couple of years, bathursts etc. Could almost guarantee it wouldn't have happened at FPR....

Axeman444 · 27 Oct 2010, 22:01 (Ref:2781368)

Mr Burela is packing his bags...

http://www.speedcafe.com.au/2010/10/...ord-australia/

TWRv12 · 27 Oct 2010, 23:09 (Ref:2781396)

DR will have to crack the whip pretty hard as he is only going to get busier and busier, next year and more so the year after. He has to have people he can trust, that can perform. Apart from FPR, the Mini WRC programme is ramping up, Aston Martin are building a new LMP1 and new V12 racing engine, add Prodrive's other non motorsport business, then he has Aston Martin itself and possibilities of joint ventures with Merc, which may lead him back to F1 and probably a few other things too! So I doubt he will have much more time for comedy ventures at FPR.

**GTRMagic** · 28 Oct 2010, 00:04 (Ref:2781416)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWRv12

DR will have to crack the whip pretty hard as he is only going to get busier and busier, next year and more so the year after. He has to have people he can trust, that can perform. Apart from FPR, the Mini WRC programme is ramping up, Aston Martin are building a new LMP1 and new V12 racing engine, add Prodrive's other non motorsport business, then he has Aston Martin itself and possibilities of joint ventures with Merc, which may lead him back to F1 and probably a few other things too! So I doubt he will have much more time for comedy ventures at FPR.

So hand it to someone who actually wants to be hands on, and succeed at this level...

There is another blue team out Yatala way who would welcome the funding currently being slurped up by the FPR operation, to hire champion driving talent, and supplement the engineering crew to make their opportunities stronger.

Perhaps Ford should tender for the FPR contract?

**GTRMagic** · 9 Nov 2010, 22:01 (Ref:2787794)

Interesting to read in AA today is the FPR 'plan' to make people accountable for their positions in that organisation.

'Perform of you're out' is apparently the new mantra.

Meantime some personnel have already departed the good ship FPR during what seems to be an operational restructure.

Too little, too late perhaps?

Axeman444 · 10 Nov 2010, 01:20 (Ref:2787866)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Too little, too late perhaps?

is that a pun?

EfiOz · 10 Nov 2010, 01:31 (Ref:2787870)

Quote:

Originally Posted by eduardo1

Roland Dane and Dave Richards are both exceptionally smart, talented race team owners.

Nice sentiments but I think the difference is more like one builds to a standard, the other builds to a price.

ford71 · 11 Nov 2010, 01:31 (Ref:2788371)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Interesting to read in AA today is the FPR 'plan' to make people accountable for their positions in that organisation.

'Perform of you're out' is apparently the new mantra.

Should have been the mantra long ago.

STEALTHY · 11 Nov 2010, 01:50 (Ref:2788373)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ford71

Should have been the mantra long ago.

There wouldn't be an FPR if that happened.....

ford71 · 12 Nov 2010, 00:32 (Ref:2788909)

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEALTHY

There wouldn't be an FPR if that happened.....

It is hard to argue with that

Chris - Melb · 14 Nov 2010, 07:21 (Ref:2789975)

Dick Johnson Racing and Stone Brothers Racing are simply not on the pace.

It is now irrefutable that FPR is the top Ford team and should rightfully command the most money from Ford.

Could people please kindly make a note of that!

STEALTHY · 14 Nov 2010, 07:56 (Ref:2789985)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris - Melb

Dick Johnson Racing and Stone Brothers Racing are simply not on the pace.

It is now irrefutable that FPR is the top Ford team and should rightfully command the most money from Ford.

Could people please kindly make a note of that!

The sarcasm is strong with you!

Chris - Melb · 14 Nov 2010, 08:54 (Ref:2790000)

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEALTHY

The sarcasm is strong with you!

No sarcasm involved really, truly.

Consider my post to be like one of those 'helpful' public awareness announcements. You know the ones I mean, the ones that state the bleeding obvious.

peckstar · 14 Nov 2010, 09:40 (Ref:2790019)

they have certainly shown some speed in the last two rounds,

was a shame the first corner incident at indy, but when even Richo is finishing top ten , they have to have found something

STEALTHY · 14 Nov 2010, 10:21 (Ref:2790037)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris - Melb

No sarcasm involved really, truly.

Consider my post to be like one of those 'helpful' public awareness announcements. You know the ones I mean, the ones that state the bleeding obvious.

Oh, my bad. I didn't think you were serious that *one* 1-2 now places them above the championship leading team...

sizzle · 14 Nov 2010, 11:02 (Ref:2790057)

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEALTHY

Oh, my bad. I didn't think you were serious that *one* 1-2 now places them above the championship leading team...

Who appear to be coming apart at the seams!

Chris - Melb · 14 Nov 2010, 11:15 (Ref:2790064)

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEALTHY

Oh, my bad. I didn't think you were serious that *one* 1-2 now places them above the championship leading team...

Oh yes, I am always serious (I am not very funny).

Anyway, FPR has had 100% more 1-2 finishes this year than DJR.

100% more 1-2 grid starts too, more top ten finishes; do I need to go on?

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