Dana & Sponsor to Rahal-Letterman

Tim Northcutt · 7 Jan 2006, 12:50 (Ref:1496772)

Curt Cavin reports in today's Indy Star that a deal is being finalized that would take Paul Dana and his Ethanol sponsorship to Rahal-Letterman Racing as their third driver this season

Here is the On-Line Story Link:

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...601070461/1052

I wonder what this will do to Hemelgarn's team for 2006???

and if they can race, who will drive for them??? Jimmy Kite???? Jacques Lazier??? Someone else???

IMO, this deal is strictly about $$$....Paul Dana showed very little in his few races before getting injured last year....

Team Owner's signature readily comes to mind after reading about this deal that is in the works...

Yet Dana now has the third seat at Rahal-Letterman when their most consistent driver last season, Vitor Meira, is still without a ride AFAIK....

Vitor is looking, while Dana will be driving....

As the old saying goes:

Money Talks, and ___________ walks.....

It is a shame...because talent doesn't seem to be even a remote factor in this equation...

JohnSSC · 7 Jan 2006, 13:05 (Ref:1496785)

It seems no matter what form of racing you pick, Tim, there are scads of examples of this sort of thing. I thought Vitor made quite an impression last season with not only some really good individual efforts but a solid overall season as you pointed out.

He was clean and quick just about everywhere.

rustyfan · 7 Jan 2006, 14:59 (Ref:1496823)

It's the nature of racing. Always has been, always will be. It's a shame Rahal-Letterman had to let Meira go, but I think it's important to remember that they didn't let Meira go because of Dana coming in, but because they had no funding to field a third car. Dana brings sufficient sponsorship to do just that, and as such I don't see a problem with it. I also think it's going to be interesting to see what Dana can do behind the wheel of a more competitive car. Assuming the deal becomes a reality, that is.

As for Hemelgarn I certainly hope they at least remain involved for the Indianapolis 500. I don't see them do the full season (unless they find primary sponsorship of course).

Team Owner · 7 Jan 2006, 18:54 (Ref:1496911)

I hope RLR gets plenty of money from Dana and his sponsor or has plenty of chassis because they're going to need them.

Vitor out drove both his teammates last year but doesn't have a ride, well there is a rumor on the street that he will land at Dreyer and Reinboldt soon.

marcus · 7 Jan 2006, 22:20 (Ref:1497006)

thats a huge shame

But I certainly wish Dana well and hope he is at least competitive.

allthough I think of course Vitor would be a better option but money is an evil thing isnt it ?

Tim Northcutt · 8 Jan 2006, 14:38 (Ref:1497277)

I'd like to see Vitor hook up with Robbie Buhl and Johnny O. and the crew at D&R...

As for Dana, See my quote about "Money Talks..."

BootsOntheSide · 8 Jan 2006, 17:19 (Ref:1497365)

Essentially it was Dana or nobody, and it's probably good for the series that they've got this deal sorted.

Tim Northcutt · 9 Jan 2006, 01:47 (Ref:1497576)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

Essentially it was Dana or nobody, and it's probably good for the series that they've got this deal sorted.

Unless Hemelgarn wouldn't have been able to run Dana...

Who is Hemelgarn going to run now, or will he have the money to do so???

Ac. · 9 Jan 2006, 18:13 (Ref:1497981)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

Essentially it was Dana or nobody, and it's probably good for the series that they've got this deal sorted.

How is that good for the series? One factory team grows bigger while another privateer likely shuts his doors. Overall the car count stays the same and there is one less team in the mix.

Team Owner · 10 Jan 2006, 18:29 (Ref:1498802)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Northcutt

Unless Hemelgarn wouldn't have been able to run Dana...

Who is Hemelgarn going to run now, or will he have the money to do so???

\

RLR will put good cars under Paul. Now we'll see if the problem is the car or the driver. Ron has something working but it's too early to see if it will come together.

Tim Northcutt · 10 Jan 2006, 18:34 (Ref:1498806)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Owner

\

RLR will put good cars under Paul. Now we'll see if the problem is the car or the driver. Ron has something working but it's too early to see if it will come together.

On the first point, I have no doubt about that...RLR is a top-drawer operation...let's see if Dana can drive...

On the second, I hope that something does come together for Ron Hemelgarn....he seems like a great guy who has gotten the most out of everything he has available to him and I wish him the best in putting something together for 2006.

Snrub · 12 Jan 2006, 16:55 (Ref:1499979)

How many people thought it was a good idea when RLR hired Jourdain? They may know what they're doing.

Tenoch · 15 Jan 2006, 20:56 (Ref:1501888)

quick question, this year the Indycars are gonna run on ethanol right?

macdaddy · 15 Jan 2006, 21:00 (Ref:1501891)

In 2006 it will be a mixture, I believe it to be 10% ethanol.
2007 will be ethanol-only.

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