Who’s a happy boy?…

PT was like a kid in a candy store this morning as he unveiled his new car for the Honda Indy Toronto!
Even Jimmy was full of smiles!
I too couldn’t wipe the grin off my face.
Nothing makes me happier than seeing Paul so happy and knowing that he will be racing in the next two races I will be attending.
He looks great! He’s dropped some weight, looks rested and focused and happy. He was very comfortable and laid back this morning.

Patti (his wife) looks equally great and happy and I hear Viv is coming to the race, which will make my year. (nothing more fun than hangin in the pits with PT’s mom)
Hopefully CJ will make an appearance too.

Since this was a reveal for Paul as well, it was fun to watch his reaction when he saw the car. He even ran back up to the podium and made them turn the mic on so he could speak some more. VERY un PT like action that is! (not fond of public speaking) He just gushed about the car and the race and how proud he is of his car and to be back racing in Toronto.

For the first time, I’m actually excited for this race and feel like it’s coming. It sure as hell isn’t because of the “buzz” in the city.

When I asked Charlie J if this was the kick off to some serious promotion now as so far it’s the best kept secret in town, I got the standard PR answer of “well I’ve heard nothing but the opposite”. Bullshit.
Norris MacDonald came to my rescue and called him on the “PR” answer. If there has been major promotion going on, I sure as hell haven’t seen it. (other than Honda Dealer ads, which quite frankly promote Honda, not the race)

Apparently there is a huge promotional thing happening for two days the week before the race at Dundas Square.
Ya… newsflash… promoting a supposed international racing event 5 days before the event is not “huge promotion”

I actually feel sorry for Charlie. He busted his ass for this race for years. I imagine his hands are tied and he just has to tow the party line, but man… who does he think he’s fooling? I live here man! I remember all the events I went to prior to the races in previous years and all the promotion.

As I already alluded to earlier in my blackberry drive-by, the issue of the run off’s was also brought up and denied. Again, we will see.
I also laid that juicy tidbit of information at the feet of those paid to write and report, so we’ll see if they dig up anything to the contrary.
Again, I hope it was just a silly rumour, because it will be a disaster if not. I asked Paul about his thoughts on it. When I get home (yes I’m still at work as I put in some extra hours to cover the time I took for the Press conference) I’ll transpose the quotes.
(I felt like such a dork sticking a digital recorder in front of Paul… we both actually chuckled at the weirdness of it)

anyway… here is a wee gallery of snaps from today. My flash died (of course) and we were in a fricken shitty lit Military hanger… so it is what it is…

KV/PT unveiling

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ugh… where to start!

I was going to do an entire entry on the drama that is Derrick Walker, but there was a mini rush of press releases in the last couple of days, so I guess I should touch on all of them (in my own unique way of course…) 😉

Conquest forms “technical partnership” (open wheel’s new catch phrase it seems) with Forsythe Racing Inc.

Translated: Uncle Jerry gets to play with the new toys and gather valuable data without committing or jeopardizing his precious fan allocated “principles”.

On the bright side, I hope this means that the FCR crew gets utilized and retains their employment past Long Beach.  I also foresee an FCR (or FRI?) entry for the 495 in May.

Walker Racing pulls out of IndyCar for 2008

Translated: I was so busy hoping the fence, talking out of both sides of my face for months and pulling splinters out of my ass, that I didn’t notice I no longer had a partner or a driver.

Gimme a break. Hey, I like Derrick, but come on. Who was fooling who here? Since all of the whispers behind the scenes started, lead ironically by some of his own quotes late in the season last year, all of the press from that team post 07 was coming from “Walker Racing” instead of Bam Media under the name of Team Australia. That was like shining a big spotlight on the trouble in paradise. Red flag number 2 was the no show in Sebring. Come on… how dumb do these people think we are? Now Walker is out for 08… or is he? After an “oh woe is me” essay on his site,  he received a plethora of support he says (both emotional and financial apparently) So now a second essay/update has him changing his tune a little with regards to the money owed and his participation in IndyCar.  I am curious about the 1.5 million allegedly owed to him by Gore… Observation: Walker seems to always have his hand out for money, but does he put any in? I have to believe there is more to the story behind the scenes. It doesn’t make sense that someone would stiff someone in such a large and public fashion and stick around! Speaking of which…

Team Australia/Will Power form technical partnership (there it is again!) with KV Racing Technology (who??)

Translated: Well, if we’re gonna be the two most hated men in the paddock, we might as well be in the same pit box where we can share some wine! (worst wine EVER btw… seriously, I’ve had more palatable vinegar! but thats a rant for another day)

Again, I fall back to there must be more to the back story on the money owed and the relationship with Walker, or else the man (Gore) would just disappear into the shadows. (much like I know there is more behind the scenes where KK is concerned, thus my angry vitriol towards him isn’t quite as intense as some) Soap opera storyline aside, I’ll be curious to see this team in action this year. The symbiotic set up with Ganassi, Jimmy as driver coach, Servia/Power as team mates, this really could be fun to watch their climb through the field.

Minardi Team USA pulls out of 2008 IndyCar Season

Translated: I’m no longer receiving KK bucks (another of those worst kept secrets), nor am I needed to act as a “symbol” of the strength and appeal of Champ Car, so I’m going to fade into the shadows again.

Co-Owner Keith Wiggins has stated that he is continuing with the team, going back to the familiar HVM moniker. Seems he is ok with the reality of not being competitive out of the gate (the reason cited by Stoddart for his withdrawal 😉 ) Athough if he is smart/lucky enough and retains Robert Doornbos, I think they will get a handle on the car by mid season. (and reap the rewards of taking the chance this year rather than waiting for next year)

Ok… I think that catches me up with all of the news that came trickling into my mailbox in the last 24 hrs.  I have other tidbits of information and thoughts… some I can share… some I can’t… (at least right now), but for now… I’m fighting off a cold and am tired… so it’s time to shut the lid on the laptop for the night…