The Rise and Fall of USF1 (merged)

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They are happy with being in North Carolina because of the tight nucleus of shops and people, probably the best place to build a team in the world. Windsor plays up how good NASCAR is to their fans and how they play up the entertainment. He wants to make his show to form up on a similar platform to encourage the US people to become interested in F1. Fans will be welcome to visit as the team is built. Apparently the way F1 was presented was an issue in the US, not enough info about the series or cars. They flew in raced, then flew out, once a year and it may not have been enough to get a foot hold with the potential US fan base. Dan Gurney apparently has been a big supporter of F1 and he's been trying to get the race back for the US and wants the USF1 team to thrive. Mr. Gurney plays up Windsor calling him a major asset and very knowledgeable. Speed will be covering the development of the team from here on out.

That's the end of the interview, the show is off air but the reporters will have one on ones {most likely to be aired later or on the web.}

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Did bernie get rid of the $48m bond required for a new team?
Kevin

 

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That's what Windsor said, it was knocked out a couple of years ago. Also the retainer for the drivers is a thing of the past because because of the recession.

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I wasn't able to see all of the interview - any mention of sponsors?

Jeff

 

5 minutes already up here

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-usf1-press-conference-video-highlights/

 

Windsor said they are actively looking for sponsors, engines, drivers, employees and buildings to house the operation.

 

?

Anyway, "only American" (or generally "only country X") is an utterly stupid idea if you're looking for overall high performance in todays world, especially in F1. And focusing only one one country and boasting about it is a bit too nationalistic for my taste...

 

Does this mean Windsor will not be on "Speed"?

 

To me that state that American drivers "can" compete for the spot, not a 100% focus on US drivers. They said they had a pool of hunderds of drivers they were looking at. There aren't 100 drivers in the US that can enter F1 because I don't recall hearing any lately, so they must be looking world wide.

 

So they have what exactly.....It seems they are lacking money/sponsor, engine manufacturer, driver, crew, home....Crikey, if that is all it takes, I have a F1 team as well. I too am missing all those things.

Perhaps there will be a new subclassification in Formula 1 for tube frame, pushrod, stock blocks.....

 

If Kyle Bush ends up being a driver I would **** myself happy.

 

It sounded like they had the money, they mentioned a few times that they had a budget and were looking towards 2010 as the year to get into F1. Well they didn't say it the host did, Bob Varsha did but no pause or correction from Ken or Peter.

 

"It seems they are lacking money/sponsor, engine manufacturer, driver, crew, home...."


No money, no engine, no car, no drivers, no personnel, no facility ... they'll be on the grid in 2010 ... given the expertise in NC, they can compete with anyone in the world ....

USF1 comprises Anderson, Windsor and a table for two at Starbucks.

 

Not sure about that, they don't have the money for Starbucks yet

 

windors answers were very very nonspecific. only generalities. they are not telling us anything to even assess its viability.
ed

 

"they don't have the money for Starbucks yet"


Windsor actually mentioned they've been meeting at a Starbucks!

My take is that this is all a publicity stunt for their fundraising efforts. Windsor thanks FOM for lending them a DVD to use in investor presentations.

 

Well if anyone heard his opening statement he said he was pleased to announce that they have raised the funds to start doing this.

He said that Bernie gave him the video for their investor meetings, which have already happened. I know becuase I was there.

Money is in the bank, now they have hard task of building it from teh ground up.

They have a pretty strong group of guys, I think they will get it done. Even if you dont think they can, why would anyone on this thread think that Bernie and Max wouldnt want to see this happen and take action? Does anyone remember the $14M quid that Williams got from Bernie?

They need private teams

 

Well, I watched the press conference, and I have to say I am excited! As long as there is a budget, why couldn't they make it?

Not sure what to make of the engine RFP, though. On the surface, that's the prudent thing to do, but given that there is the Cosworth option - why not go that route (I am working under the assumption that as the "standard" engine, it would be cheaper)?

 

And who would the 'really strong group of guys' be? Windsor and Anderson? They may have found some poor punter to pony up a few bob but they'll spend that happily jetting around fishing for more and trying for press exposure imo.

 

If you think about it from Bernie's perspective, he probably would prefer a grid full of private teams using some spec components to keep costs down rather than factory teams engaged in a technological arms race.

Factories think they have clout and can run the show, even threatening a rival series IIRC. IMO private teams would rather not spend millions having to design every single part every year. So spec wings, spec tires, maybe even a spec engine someday. Minimize the advantage the factories gain with huge budgets.

For Bernie it is about the show and the ability to make money while ruling all aspects of the sport. For private teams it is about having a chance to do well and still stay within their budget. Having uber-financed factories involved who can outspend and suck up all the talent compared to the the private teams accomplishes the goals of neither Bernie nor the privateers.

I know the unwritten mission statement of F1 is to have the most technologically advanced cars driven by the best drivers. I reality it is just a show and a business like any other modern sport.

 

The technological arms race amongst factories is what killed CART, so Bernie must be aware that could be a problem. Not sure he wants a grid full of privateers, but perhaps a balance of privateers to factory-backed teams.

Time will tell!

 

bowbells- I am not understanding you, I said THEY (as in Windsor and Anderson) have a pretty strong group of guys, yet you asked me if the strong group of guys WAS Windsor and Anderson. Could you not follow what I was saying?

Let me clear this up, Windsor and Anderson have a good team of strong guys they have put together. Guys they have known for over a decade. Even if I named who they were would you ever know who I am talking about? Like do you know every engineer at NASA so if I listed them off you would be able to say "Damn that guy is good"

Sorry I am just amazed how many people have things "figured out" right away.

I once raced with a guy that was a big time CEO that was approached by Google in the start up years to be their CEO and he declined.

That guy had it all figured out too.

 

In regard to the engine and why not using Cosworth, I am sure it is because the other teams have far more experience with the current spec motor and to have Cosworth try and replicate what they have done doesnt make sense. Especially financially considering that teams that manufacture engines are required to provide teams with engines for a pretty nominal fee.

 

You still believe there will be a US F1 team?

I told you already they don't have the funds.

Quit dreaming.

 

Is that sarcasm?

The engine must come from an existing supplier due to the development freeze.