Red Bull driver test... illuminating article

BobbyB · 13 Dec 2002, 06:52 (Ref:448868)

A link on Champweb.net today sent me to Media Racing Press.com, which had an EYE-OPENING story about the Red Bull "contest" to select some young American talent for a future ride in F1. Since it involved drivers from the Atlantics and Barber Dodge series, I thought readers of this forum might be interested. It is a lengthy read, but well worth the time. If what is said is true, Skip Barber should be ashamed of himself for being associated with this "stunt".

Here is the link:

http://www.racingpress.com/publish/redbull121102.shtml

El_Gibleto · 13 Dec 2002, 07:02 (Ref:448869)

Having spoken extensively to 2 of the drivers involved, I can confirm that the story is correct.

The Snout · 13 Dec 2002, 07:50 (Ref:448877)

Sh1thouse, absolute sh1thouse. If I was Sullivan I would be hiding in France too. And the initial contracts, f*ck me.

Super Tourer · 13 Dec 2002, 11:26 (Ref:448961)

Great read!

Liz · 13 Dec 2002, 12:06 (Ref:448981)

As long as the Americans keep on screaming for "American Drivers in American cars" this kind of doughnut mine will find plenty of willing suckers to belly up to the bar.

Fortunately it's not as easy to fool young drivers these days as it used to be, and I commend all the young men involved for seeing straight through it from the beginning. Shame on any American driver of note who lends his name to a scam like this. Sullivan will never be able to hold his head up again.

**ghinzani** · 13 Dec 2002, 12:56 (Ref:449005)

Phil did'nt get picked did he?

**ghinzani** · 13 Dec 2002, 13:05 (Ref:449014)

Still at least he aint a sore loser.

Lee Janotta · 13 Dec 2002, 15:31 (Ref:449113)

Quote:

Originally posted by Liz
As long as the Americans keep on screaming for "American Drivers in American cars" this kind of doughnut mine will find plenty of willing suckers to belly up to the bar.

Fortunately it's not as easy to fool young drivers these days as it used to be, and I commend all the young men involved for seeing straight through it from the beginning. Shame on any American driver of note who lends his name to a scam like this. Sullivan will never be able to hold his head up again.

Well cripes Liz, CART could've positioned themselves as the road for American drivers into F1 years ago, but instead they wanted to hire perpetual washouts with deep pockets like Blundell, Takagi, and Christian Fittipaldi.

Well, I was suspicious of Red Bull from the start, but I'd never imagine they could create something this disorganized and hopelessly political. I pray Paul Edwards and Scott Speed can extricate themselves from their contracts, they've got _far_ too much talent to waste it over there. It never took any F1 champion 5 years in F3!!!

gaines · 13 Dec 2002, 16:32 (Ref:449141)

Well, what did we expect? They think Eddie Cheever is a good race car driver, big surprise they can't get this right either. I might just start my own freaking American F1 team first and put an end to this madness. *checks wallet*.....*checks pockets*......Hmmm 43 cents. Anybody got $47,999,999.57 US I can borrow?

Besides I really don't know what these guys are complaining about. Those driving school cars are twice as nice as anything Jaguar has thrown out there. By the way, is it my turn to be in charge of Jaguar yet? I want my week like everybody else.

Liz · 13 Dec 2002, 17:17 (Ref:449180)

You'll have to take a ticket and stand in line. Fortunately the line moves quickly.

Someday the words with honour will no longer be considered dirtier and more disgusting than

and

... and on that day, people like this will no longer be able to convince young people -- be they race drivers or university students -- that anybody who offers them big bucks up front is going to want their

in exchange, and yes that IS something they are going to miss some day.

NOTHING IS ALL ABOUT MONEY.

KC · 13 Dec 2002, 18:43 (Ref:449234)

I have just read the article and I have read three or four other articles by repected journalists stating much the same thing. I do not think that the rejected drivers are merely reacting out of sour grapes. Phil Giebler's endorsement from Sospiri proves that.

This is my opinion of what I read.

The Red Bull Driver Search was nothing more than a scam to get 13 young American drivers to sign over their life, their future earnings and all marketting to the program. Red Bull rolled the dice that one of the thirteen might hit it big and they would take all of the money. When all of this came to light, a change in tactics was made. The drivers test was a sham, the winners had alreqady been selected based more on their marketability than their driving skill. All of these young men are good drivers but its obvious that a handsome face meant as much as lap times at the "test".

I wish all of the drivers well. The four who are getting their supposed chance must make every second of it count. The others need to explore other avenues and keep on pushing.

FastCar5 · 13 Dec 2002, 19:09 (Ref:449256)

It is hard to believe that Sullivan was/is involved in such a half-baked scheme. I am sure there are a lot of drivers from that scam that feel more than a little bit betrayed.

Russfeld · 13 Dec 2002, 20:53 (Ref:449312)

People just misunderstood how the program was setup. They split the guys into groups based on experience, and took the fastest guy from EACH GROUP. Not the 4 fastest overall. Think of it like an endurance race where you have 4 classes of cars. a Bentley finishing 4th at Le Mans overall is impressive, but wont get as much attention as the GTS class winning 550.

paul-collins · 13 Dec 2002, 21:35 (Ref:449350)

If that article is credible (and I see no reason to think otherwise), that's despicable. I feel badly for the four who won, as well as the nine who lost. It sounds like an all-round disaster.

I'm surprised that ORECA put out such a half-*ssed effort.

macdaddy · 13 Dec 2002, 21:48 (Ref:449362)

Sure, it gained them media exposure. But the only people who really knew about it were race fans to begin with. And in light of this news it would seem that things are backfiring. Perhaps the adage "Bad press is better than no press at all" may not apply...

Liz · 14 Dec 2002, 02:12 (Ref:449525)

The guy who sent it to me privately is someone I have enormous respect for and whose knowledge I trust. I would expect he'd check anything out before sending it over, so I am ready to believe every word of it. I think KC hit the nail right on the head: it was about buying themselves a Michael Schumacher (with a pretty face and poseability for sponsor ads) and as much racing talent as possible to go with it. Sad, sorry and shameful.

Russfeld · 14 Dec 2002, 03:23 (Ref:449566)

Welcome to the situation facing every racing driver in every series across the world

Liz · 14 Dec 2002, 13:35 (Ref:449794)

That's why the prayer says "lead us not into temptation." The earlier you learn there's no free lunch, the better off you are.

Incidentally, I don't think it's only a situation that faces only racing drivers. I myself have been offered big money from various firms that are doing work or working in a manner that violates my principles. I've never been tempted to put cash above principles because I was brought up with the X-Files motto "Trust No One" (even before there was an X Files). Or better put, "Trust No One Bearing Big Cash -- Find Out What's In It For THEM."

Barbazza · 14 Dec 2002, 19:29 (Ref:449962)

Excellent article, thoroughly well thought out. It's such a shame a scheme which most of us had (naively) assumed to be good for the sport turned out to be a sham. Is it just me or is much of the 'American in F1' fuss generated by us Europeans, eager to tap into the sponsorship market in the States?

cybersdorf · 14 Dec 2002, 19:37 (Ref:449964)

Quote:

Originally posted by Liz
That's why the prayer says "lead us not into temptation."

I am led into the temptation to say, what else is new.
Did those who entered this program really think they'd be in F1 *next year*?

Liz · 14 Dec 2002, 23:37 (Ref:450087)

Does Dario Franchitti believe that going to the IRL guarantees him a seat at BAR?

Apparently he does.

You are right -- what else is new? Satan never gets anywhere promising people what's good for them. He promises them what they want -- whether he's got it to give or not. So do lots of human beings. And if you want to believe there's donuts in that mine, you will.

cybersdorf · 15 Dec 2002, 14:38 (Ref:450412)

On a brighter note, Red Bull is now available sugar free.

Liz · 15 Dec 2002, 18:27 (Ref:450518)

I can only imagine how that must taste.

What do they put in it to give you wings if not sugar then? Speed?

Russfeld · 15 Dec 2002, 21:18 (Ref:450634)

Taurine = Taurus = Red Bull

Liz · 15 Dec 2002, 23:30 (Ref:450730)

What is "taurine"? Do I really want to know?

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