Ganassi Ford GT Drivers for 2016 | FerrariChat

Ganassi Ford GT Drivers for 2016

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by David Lind, Jun 20, 2015.

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  1. David Lind

    David Lind Formula 3

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    Chip Ganassi Racing has achieved great success without ever getting any input from me; nevertheless, I have some nominations for the drivers of next year's Ford GT IMSA & Le Mans programs. I am aware that Indycar hotshoes will perform when available, but these two folks would be fine anchor drivers for the team:

    1) An American racer who has many years of successful recent experience with the American GT scene, who always gets near the front in his one-off Indycar races at the 500, who is very media and fan-friendly and who just dazzled in his LeMans 24 debut ... I am, of course, talking about TOWNSEND BELL.

    2) Another American who has two DP titles to his credit, who never makes errors, who can win with a car that isn't the fastest (see DP inaugural race @ CoA), who is also very good with fans, who has never clashed with Ganassi drivers (as his ex-team mate did) and whose dad was the point man for Ford's original GT 40 program, I nominate ALEX GURNEY.

    Just my ideas. How about your's???
     
    David Lind, Jun 20, 2015
    #1
  2. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    Joey Hand is going to be one of them...

    I think they'd be stupid not to sign Alex Gurney, we shall see...
     
    GuyIncognito, Jun 20, 2015
    #2
  3. Turbopanzer

    Turbopanzer F1 World Champ

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    Danica Patrick and Milka Duno. The not going to win so at least we can listen to the excuses.
     
    Turbopanzer, Jun 20, 2015
    #3
  4. Anthony James

    Anthony James Formula Junior Silver Subscribed

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    Scott Pruett and Scott Sharp
     
    Anthony James, Jun 20, 2015
    #4
  5. GoFerrari28

    GoFerrari28 Formula 3

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    Definitely Scott Pruett. I'd also love to see Jeff Gordon get into an endurance car.
     
    GoFerrari28, Jun 20, 2015
    #5
  6. BartonWorkman

    BartonWorkman F1 Veteran

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    Just for ****s, A.J. Foyt and Dan Gurney.

    BHW
     
    BartonWorkman, Jun 21, 2015
    #6
  7. william

    william Two Time F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    According to the rumour, Ford/Ganassi intend to enter 4 cars at Le Mans next year; that is a MINIMUM of 12 drivers. They need some of them to have Le Mans experience, I think.
    One way is to poach a few from Porsche or Audi, with substantial contracts.
     
    william, Jun 21, 2015
    #7
  8. BartonWorkman

    BartonWorkman F1 Veteran

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    What ol' Chip better realize is that at Le Mans, there ain't no "Lucky Dog" or "Free Pass"
    like he's been used to in GrandAm or NASCAR.

    BHW
     
    BartonWorkman, Jun 21, 2015
    #8
  9. Str8shooter

    Str8shooter Formula 3

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    I wonder how Ganassi will handle driver choice for the first few races at Daytona and Sebring. His best drivers are in the DPs so does he take them out and put them in the Ford GT to get seat time or does he go with other drivers and are those drivers that are available up to the task.

    A driver like Scott Pruett has certainly done well for Ganassi Racing and deserves a seat in what may become a historical race for Ford. Would he pull Scott out of the DP at Daytona?

    Whatever he does he will need a lot more drivers. Is there that many drivers available that can put Ford and Ganassi on the podium. It's too complicated for me so I'll let you guys make the nominations and I'll just post pics :)
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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Str8shooter, Jun 21, 2015
    #9
  10. Str8shooter

    Str8shooter Formula 3

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    Str8shooter, Jun 21, 2015
    #10
  11. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    and no $1mm guaranteed payments for showing up.
     
    GuyIncognito, Jun 21, 2015
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  12. Str8shooter

    Str8shooter Formula 3

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    Str8shooter, Jun 21, 2015
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  13. Str8shooter

    Str8shooter Formula 3

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    Scott Pruett seems like a natural choice.

    I don't have any pictures of Scott Sharp. That guy is either in his car or flying by on a cart.
    I've never caught him just standing around.
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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Str8shooter, Jun 21, 2015
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  14. Turbopanzer

    Turbopanzer F1 World Champ

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    Wheelchair assist an option on these cars? :D
     
    Turbopanzer, Jun 21, 2015
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  15. Turbopanzer

    Turbopanzer F1 World Champ

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    I take the Citgo girl!!! Can't drive but she do look good!!!
     
    Turbopanzer, Jun 21, 2015
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  16. Str8shooter

    Str8shooter Formula 3

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    Jeff ran the 2007 Rolex 24 at Daytona.

    Don't think he would do it again and certainly not in a Ford :)
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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Str8shooter, Jun 21, 2015
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  17. Str8shooter

    Str8shooter Formula 3

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    Sorry, those guys rarely come to the track these days. I don't think I have any pics of them but
    I ran a few descriptive keywords to my files and this is what I got. :D
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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Str8shooter, Jun 21, 2015
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  18. Str8shooter

    Str8shooter Formula 3

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    Str8shooter, Jun 21, 2015
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  19. BartonWorkman

    BartonWorkman F1 Veteran

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    What is this "DP" you speak of?

    Tell me about it.

    Everything...

    BHW
     
    BartonWorkman, Jun 21, 2015
    #19
  20. Turbopanzer

    Turbopanzer F1 World Champ

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    Depends......One is a very fast race car built for road racing in the TUDOR sports car series.

    The other competes (if you can call it that) in the NASCAR series. It spends a lot of time answering media questions but has yet to produce a significant return in the sport.

    In either case....both series require a driver. You may know one. If so....contact the car owner.
     
    Turbopanzer, Jun 21, 2015
    #20
  21. Patek

    Patek Formula 3

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    Alonso should be free next year.
     
    Patek, Jun 21, 2015
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  22. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    Raikkonen too.
     
    GuyIncognito, Jun 21, 2015
    #22
  23. David Lind

    David Lind Formula 3

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    "DP" is Daytona Prototype. These are the upper echelon sports prototypes that run in the US at the Daytona 24, Sebring 12 , etc. Ganassi has run a team forever, and it has been extraordinarily successful. In fact, when Roger Penske ran a DP team for 2 or 3 years, they didn't win a single race, while Ganassi teams have won 4 or 5 season titles and 5 or 6 Daytona 24 hour races.
     
    David Lind, Jun 21, 2015
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  24. Turbopanzer

    Turbopanzer F1 World Champ

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    Bring your checkbook & financial statements.........they don't work cheap.

    Now Schumacher..........you might be able to get a deal :D
     
    Turbopanzer, Jun 21, 2015
    #24
  25. william

    william Two Time F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    Is it not the way Ford won Le Mans in 66 and 67, by buying entries to field 6 MKII and 5 GT40 with the best drivers available?

    Then, John Wyer did show then in could be done at a fraction of the budget with just 2 cars to win again for Ford in 68 and 69!
     
    william, Jun 22, 2015
    #25
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