driver swaps

[lilitu]

Well the silly season when drivers try and find a better team (or just closer to home, Craig Lowndes) is pretty much on it's way and I am looking forward once again to the anticipation of who is going where!!!! Earlier on in the year we all found out that the whingeing Ambrose is on his way to the states where I am sure he will fit in perfectly, but who will take his place at stone brothers? I initially thought Todd Kelly would take the place and Steven Richards would take Todds place at HRT. But I just cant bear to think Richards would leave Castrol or whoever Larry's new team name is for next year. And as for F1, everyone expected that Barrichello would be given the boot and go elsewhere but I heard Massa is taking his place at ferrari? And will Button leave for Williams now that BAR are winning? I myself would like to see him driving a Williams with Webber as they are the future champions of the sport. But until then I will be happy to listen to any kind of rumour on what might be happening. If anyone hears anything get in touch.

[perkins]

Richo has a contract with LP for next year, not Castrol so I think unless someone is willing to part with some big bucks he'll be with Larry in '06. Apparently LP has signed off on next years range of team merchandise so he must have something in the pipeline, thank God And there is talk WPS might run Perkins Engineering built Commodores next year. No doubt we are in for some interesting times ahead...

[vtchick]

I hope ur right bout LP. I can't stand the thought of Richo switching camps, but if LP decideds to pull out he might(NO RICHO DON'T DO IT!!!NOOO!) . I don't rekon Todds goin anywhere though.

[perkins]

hopefully Todd will stay put, but things don't exactly seem rosey between him and Skaifey at the minute. They're supposed to be sorting out some sort of deal for him before Oran Park this weekend. I think Holden will have had enough of it's drivers going to Ford for the big $$$ and apparently there is talk they'll even help LP in some way to keep him going to help Keep Richo in the fold. Fingers crossed...

[lilitu]

I hope todd doesnt go anywhere aswell I mean he has been driving much better than Skaife now for the last 2 years, I understand how much pressure skaife would have been under when he pretty much HAD to invest in his team after the walkinshaw saga but that's not the point. I hope everything goes well for larry and richo as they both deserve the glory that they work so very hard for. Think I will invest in some castrol merchandise though b4 the end as it will be an era of racing that will never be forgotten....

[burnz]

panel beaters on bigpond will answer all just email them

[vtchick]

Richo has been confirmed to stay with Larry and Todd was resigning with HRT today apparently. Word now is Steve Johnson will get the drive with SBR

[perkins]

Good luck to him. Can't stand his dad, but I think Steve's ok. He's handicapped by his size a lot and I think if the rules were that the total weight of the car plus driver could not be under 1500 kg, then he'd probably be a lot better off - that and not having to drive the crap the DJR build and call race cars... And yes, Lp gave a very firm indication that Richo wasn't going anywhere in '06

[dahlyla]

Well it's good to hear that T.kelly and S.richards will be staying with their teams for next year. I wouldnt be surprised if steven johnson got marcus's drive as things have'nt been to rosy between him and his father for some time now! and I agree with "perkins" Dick's a dick!!!!!!!!
I think a few other changes other than drivers need to be sorted out aswell b4 next year.....I mean I understand that "project blueprint" was designed to make the racing more interesting and more even but that was when the AU was being driven and everyone knows what peices of crap they were. I think that at least look into giving the holdens back their old suspension instead of using the fords, as we all know how hard it has been for the holden teams (PWR,HRT, to name just 2)to be able to dial there cars in so they wont spin off (skaife). I mean how many times have we seen in the last couple of years Ambrose or Lowndes or Ingall (soon to be more) drive off into the sunset???????
Of course there would be some ford fans up in arms becasue it doesnt suit them in some way or another......
So I suppose you just cant please everyone??!!

[lilitu]

Yes........... I agree completely. Bring back the real holden versus ford not this hybrid racing!!!

[perkins]

Ummm, the real Holden versus Ford died back in the early '80's. There's not much wrong with what we have now. You have to remember that Blueprint was brought in as a cost saving strategy as well as a way of achieving parity and everyone signed off on it; LP HRT GRM all the Holden teams as well as the Ford teams. Now we don't have to listen to Mark Larkam or John Bowe whinge about the Commodore's superior front end grip and how they should lose x amount off the front undertray to bring it back to Falcon or who's rear wing needs trimming. At least the Holden squad aren't whinging about having to learn what makes a double wishbone front end work, they're just getting on with learning the job. Don't forget some are still coming to grips with the HMS engine as well. Give it time and we'll see the benefits - look at Nascar; you can hardly tell them apart but the racing sure is good to watch and that category is going from strenght to strength it's now closing in on NFL as the #1 sport in the US.

[VSTrev]

Just to put in my 2 cents worth...

vtchick - "I can't stand the thought of Richo switching camps" - you mean again. Remember a few years ago he one Bathurst in a SBR prepared Pirtek sponsored EF falcon with guess who... Jason Bright. (if memory serves).

Yes holden needs to keep hold of their top drivers instead of letting them go to ford. Unfortunatly if that means throwing more money around then so be it, its a shame that loyalty has been removed from the game.

It will be interesting to see who will sponsor Larry, i'm guessing he is probably providing enough engines etc, to other teams his company, perkins motorsport, could probably sponsor it himself.

And finally, Give skaife 6 reverse gears!

[dahlyla]

Yes Skaife..... I understand most peoples thoughts on him as he can be obnoxious, but he is a driver who has to drive with his brain if u know what I mean!!! He is methodical in everything that he does which should be praised, but on the other hand it does make things hard for him as his car has to be set up in a particular way for him to be able to drive it. When on the other hand you have Lowndes who can be put in any car and drive the car to it's best as he is a natural driver. So lets hope when HRT pairs Todd and Skaife together for the enduros they will be up there but I am a bit dissapointed in the pairing of S.Richards and P.Dumbrell, I was hoping larry would put dumbrell and davison together and look elsewhere for a partner for steven..... I cant think of a driver, what does everyone else think????? I like dumbrell but he has been involved in some silly incidents and I would'nt want another dumb luck story for castrol again!!!
What does everyone think of V8 superstars?, I think it's great!

[perkins]

Larry should've put Paul with Richo 2 years ago instead of himself. I worship the ground LP walks on, but PD has shown he is consistently quick at Bathurst, if you check his results since going there with Castrol Perkins you'll see how well he goes there. Especially his first year when he drove with LP while Richo and Ingall teamed up. Pity about the roo last year, I reckon they were a chance up 'till then.

You're right about Superstars - great for a laugh and a bit of insight into what these guys are like.

[VSTrev]

Todd Kelly has resigned with HRT for 2006. YAY!