Champ Car Fantasy Racing Grid 2002

[Liz]

Some people said at the end of the 2001 season that they'd like to have the Fantasy Racing Grid Competition again this year. If we're going to have it, we ought to start around the time Spring Training opens, when everyone who is getting a seat should have one.

Anybody interested in fielding a team for next year? Since my team was kidnapped by aliens, I plan to run as Team of Audacious Brazilians (TAB) and to run Bruno and Cristiano in Reynard Hondas.

[Speedworx]

What are the rules? I have never played this before.

[Liz]

THE RULES

Each Team Principal must choose two pilots, one chassis, one engine, and a name for his or her team, and post it on the IndyCar Forum, ideally before the Champ Car season starts, but entries will be accepted all season. Each Team Principal may race only one team. Each team may name a Press Officer (spin-doctor) for the purpose of bragging, apologizing or making excuse, as circumstances warrant. The best Press Releases will be published, but all may be posted on the Forum at any time. Teams may also name a Primary Sponsor and Pit Babe (male or female). Other team officials may also be named but will not be listed on the Team's official Grid Certification.

Points will be awarded the same as in the Champ Car races themselves, which is for finishing first to twelfth and an extra point for Pole and fastest lap.

In addition:

1. One "hard charger" point will be awarded for each place made up on the grid from the position your pilot qualified in (as long as he finishes the race).

2. One point will be awarded to a team if both cars finish in the top five.

3. The first car to retire will lose one point

4. Two points will be lost if both cars or both pilots retire. Five points will be lost if the two cars on a team retire due to the pilots hitting each other.

5. Ten points will be awarded if your pilot wins the Championship.

Points and standings will be tabulated following each Champ Car race, and posted on the IndyCar site.

There is always room for another good team - so:

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: START YOUR TEAMS!



AMENDMENT NO. 1

1. Teams will be allowed to name a third pilot if they wish, provided they can obtain funding.

2. However, only the top two finishing pilots on a team will be counted for points in any race.

3. Should one of a Team's three pilots be the first one to retire, two points shall be deducted from the Team Score even though there are 2 Team pilots still in play.

4. Should all three pilots on a team retire, seven points shall be deducted.

5. Should all three pilots on a Team finish on the podium, five points shall be awarded.

6. There shall be no extra allowance for handbags or headache potions for teams electing to run three pilots.

AMENDMENT NO. 2

1. Engine and chassis points will be scored at the end of the season, with points being awarded according to the finishing of the engine and chassis manufacturers in the Constructors' Championship, e.g. 10 points for a top finish, 5 for a second place finish and 2 for a third place finish.

2. Suggestions will be considered regarding whether or not to give points for Nations Cup finishes.

3. All Changes in Pilot, Engine and Chassis for each team must be completed by March 1. This will enable the Race Commissioner to get the spreadsheets finished before the season starts. Any teams added after the season begins will be permitted no changes in any points paying positions.

[R]

R Racing is thinking of a more innovative name for the upcoming season; there'll be an announcement in the coming weeks. Talks are underway in order to retain Kenny Brack's services. The team is also keen to get Jimmy Vasser's signature. We are yet undecided whether or not to field a third car this year, but the team will definitely be on the grid when the green flag is waved in Monterrey.

[tanalised]

Negociations are underway for an Antipodean entry to challenge all comers. More soon

[macdaddy]

Those damned aliens!
(This decision would be easy for IRL)
Gonna have to think about this. Still got some time.
Man, I can't wait for the season to start!

[elephino]

Well, I'll be back in again this year.

Can I be reminded of my team from last year as I'll probably keep most, if not all, of it.

[Crash Test]

Team DONT CRASH PAUL went incredibly bankrupt at the end of last season, so much so that it brought down several large European banks with it (don't let anyone tell you it was the Euro...). Picking up the crumbs was one Alain Post, an experienced gopher in the F1 paddock, who traded the broom for a seat on CART's board of directors.

With the new owner comes a change of name for the team, TEAM PAUL WON'T CRASH, with two new gun drivers P. Tracy and Kenny B.. The team also plans to run 3yr old Goodyear tyres (heck, the teams crash damage budget was exceeded after Paul T's first test session, we had to cut costs somewhere!), Honda engines (these ones dating back to 1994...it took a lot of digging at the old garbage dump, but Mr Post feels that in the right hands they can be a winner) and Reynard Chassis (dating back to 1989 F3).

By Ima Safetyhouse
Team public relations guru, right front tyre changer, engine builder, driver's stress release punching bag, and left rear tyre changer

[marcus]

KARMA RACING are proud to announce they will be returning in 2002 .

The team will be evaluating sveral drivers soon and will definately be testing Brazilian legend Roberto Moreno (lets hope we can do a deal somewhere in CART for him ????) and young New Zealander Scott Dixon , both of these guys drove for us last year and did very well so we hope we can retain them for 2002 , Oriol Servia is also due to test the car ( yet to be decided on as well)

we seem to have lost our press officer from last year (actually not true...we dont have a clue who it was ???0
so we will be evaluating sveral new candidates for the position soon , but the favorite so far is one Linda Lovelace ????? (she sounds nice doesnt she )


ok better go read cart.com now

[Liz]

Hesketh Racing 2001

Press Officer: Greg Murphy
Sponsors: Motorsport News, Fuji Film, Conrod Motorsports
No Pit Babe Named
Drivers: Gil de Ferran, Kenny Brack, Scott Dixon
Engine: Toyota
Chassis: Lola

===============

If anyone else would like a rundown of their last year's team, let me know.

[marcus]

Yes please Liz

[gomick]

me too please

[elephino]

Well, Hesketh Racing is pleased to announce that all of 2001's sponsors will be staying on board for 2002 but due to the mid-season loss of basically every press officer hired, the new press officer shall be Tarso Marques, continuing the tradition of using out of work drivers.

Engine and Chassis deals have been sown up early, with the continuation of the successful Lola and Toyota combination.

Hesketh Racing is sad to announce the loss of series champion Gil de Ferran, who did an excellent job in helping the team to the championship.

The team is pleased to announce that both Kenny Brack and Scott Dixon will be retained for the 2002 season, with Scott moving up to the no2 driver position with Kenny becoming team leader.

A third driver will be announced when I get a look at the complete line up of drivers.

[Laagri]

JADS Racing will be on the grid again in 2002.

Finances have been arranged and will be announced later.
The team will almost certainly run Reynard Hondas.

On the driving front, our ideal driver line-up would have seen Stirling Moss and Jackie Stewart join up with either Alan Jones or Keke Rosberg, but as it seems unlikely any of these will find a ChampCar seat for 2002, we will probably keep Dario Franchitti as our no.1 driver backed up by Kenny Bräck. A third driver will be run, and in the coming weeks we will be testing Oriol Servia, Jimmy Vasser, Cristiano da Matta, Justin Wilson and Roberto Moreno but our choice may or may not be limited to those drivers.

We are pleased to announce we have secured the services of Murray Walker as press officer. Unless I am very much mistaken, his contract with us starts on 1 March but do not forget that anything can happen in ChampCar racing, and it usually does, so this may yet be amended.

And I'll have to stop talking now because I've got a lump in my throat.

[Liz]

Karma Racing

No pit babe
Sponsors: Subway, Mark Blundell
Press Officer; Lois Lane
Drivers: Moreno, Dixon
Honda and Reynard

==========

Gomick - Revcounter Racing

Press officer: Felina
Drivers: Dixon, Vasser
Toyota engine
Lola chassis

=========

Laagri - JADS Racing

Drivers: Brack, Franchitti, Zanardi
Honda engine
Reynard chassis

[gomick]

Revcounter Racing

Press officer: tba - (Felina, sacked by gomick).....possibility that one of shazza's shell chicks might get this position if they are looking the goods at aus superbike round at the island in February.

Drivers: Scotty Dixon and Jimmy Vasser
Engine : Ford - (toyota left when felina got the a$$)
Chassis : Reynard - (new for 2002)


both drivers and the team boss agreed that the best package for 2002 would be a reynard ford because it is

[Airhead]

Now Now.

Team Agression Maximisation will of cause return with the same beautific driver line up in 2002. Plus a few suprises. Paul 'thunderbirds are go' Tracey is numero uno. Michael 'I love the night life, I love to boogey' Andretti is number two.

But in a shock move another washed up has been with too much testosterone may be enlisted to drive.

The jury is still out on whether we get that drug sodden fool Hunter S Tomfoolery to stand up as press officer again. Hard enough to get him to stand up - as the actress said to the Bishop!

Rest assured gentle reader this is a Brazilian Free Zone.

[mac]

PINEAPPLE RACING Announce First Year CART Effort.
13/01/02

Pineapple Racing wish to announce that they will be entering a first-year, two-car effort in the 2002 CART FedEx Series.

Major sponsors for the 2002 season are: Sanyo, Puma Sport, Bolle Sunglasses and Mobil.

Pineapple Racing will operate out of Monterey, California, with premises in Sydney, Australia.

The rookie team will run the brand new 2002 Lola chassis. Pineapple believe that Lola will offer the best opportunity for success in 2002, and we look forward to working with Lola and their chassis.

It has been decided that Pineapple Racing will use Honda engines for the 2002 season. We are excited to announce that Honda are to be a technical partner of Pineapple Racing and that the Honda name will be prominently displayed on the cars. We are thrilled to be working with Honda in 2002, and eagerly await the development of this young team through a close working relationship.

It is also a privilege to announce that Pineapple Racing has secured the services of Spanish driver, Oriol Servia. The 27 year old Catalan is excited to be working with the Pineapple Racing crew, "I am excited to be chosen to be involved in an operation like this. Pineapple are aggressive.... like a bull in the streets of Pamplona, yet smooth like olive oil. They are pretty like a flamenco dance. They are like bull fighters. Pineapple Racing are the sort of organisation racing drivers dream to be involved in. I can't wait to get started."

Negotiations are currently taking place with several drivers. Testing is due to take place in the next few days, with an announcement expected in the next couple of weeks.

P. Dribbler
Chief Media Liason Officer.
Pineapple Racing.

[Speedworx]

Firestorm Racing will be entering the 2002 season.

More details about the project will be released later.

[paulzinho]

The Samba Boyz will announce plans in due course.

[Speedworx]

PRESS RELEASE

The newly formed Firestorm Racing team will be launched on Jan 19.

The team has tested several drivers in secret over the last few weeks at the local Rockingham Motor Speedway.

[Liz]

Remember, only one team per owner. Otherwise it gets too hard for the Race Commissioner to keep up.

[Omar]

Team Xenomorphic announces its entry into the 2002 fray.
All things have remained stable during the off season (?!?) and drivers Jimmy Vasser and Christiano DaMatta will be returning for another year.
For obvious reasons, the talent has been signed to single year contracts.

Due to a spectacular late season fade, our brave team owner has decided on a change of team name.
In 2002 Team Xenomorpic will be known as... Omar's Doomed Warriors.

[Speedworx]

Firestorm Racing would like to annouce its plans for the 2002 season.

Press Officer: Mika Hakkinen
Sponsors: Autosport Magazine, Playstation 2, Northants 96
Pit Babe: Amanda Stretton
Drivers: Dario Franchitti and Patrick Carpentier
Engine: Honda
Chassis: Reynard

The team will be testing several drivers over the next few weeks to determine who will be the teams test driver. These include Memo Gidley, Oriol Servia and Paul Tracy.

[bulldogspirit]

TEAM HERTFORD announces maiden CART title attempt
19/01/02

UK based outfit Team Hertford Racing, in association with Boddingtons Draught Bitter and Newcastle Brown Ale, have announced plans to enter the 2002 CART Series. After extensive testing at Rockingham Motor Speedway the team details have been finalised:

Drivers: 'Super' Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon
Chassis: Lola
Engine: Toyota
Press Officer and Pit Babe: BBC TV's Suzi Perry

Team Hertford are confident of success in the season ahead, and hope the combination of Commonwealth drivers will overcome all.