Panther Racing... ?

macdaddy · 24 Nov 2005, 02:28 (Ref:1468965)

Quote:

Panther Racing claims its doors aren’t closed for good, but the shop lights have been turned off and most of its employees are out looking for jobs.

Not good news.

pink69 · 24 Nov 2005, 17:12 (Ref:1469447)

O dear. Bad news for the IRL and puts paid to the rumours they were thinking of defecting to CCWS as well. Scheckter and Enge out of a drive as well....two talented drivers going to waste again!

Snrub · 24 Nov 2005, 20:31 (Ref:1469593)

IMO it there's no reason that one or possibly both drivers couldn't end up at Panther again. At the moment there's a cash problem.

I'm guessing that the possibility of moving to CC was if the series would subsidize Panther like it most likely did with teams like DCR and HVM.

Kicking-back · 24 Nov 2005, 20:34 (Ref:1469600)

Tomas Enge won't have any problems getting a drive - he's one of the busiest drivers in the world - racing something almost every weekend

Mystery · 25 Nov 2005, 00:39 (Ref:1469775)

I expect they'll be back soon, but as I read elsewhere let's just hope their employees havent been snapped up first.

sr230772 · 25 Nov 2005, 18:22 (Ref:1470256)

i dont get it 3 years ago they were the championship winning team where did they go wrong

macdaddy · 25 Nov 2005, 18:25 (Ref:1470259)

They lost Pennzoil. End of story.

Let's hope they find a replacement.

BootsOntheSide · 25 Nov 2005, 18:58 (Ref:1470281)

With tougher competition they were never likely to repeat past title winning successes, but ultimately without sponsors no team can run, even with fairly well-funded pay-drivers. Let's hope this is a ploy to attract OWRS or IRL funding, but it's bad news in any case. This could be a tough off-season for a lot of staff, with few vacanies open and a lot of jobs disappearing.

N I Tram · 29 Nov 2005, 13:35 (Ref:1472956)

Awful news. They really don't deserve this trouble.

luke · 29 Nov 2005, 21:07 (Ref:1473335)

To be the only team that wasn't originaly from Champ Car to still be able to win in the IRL and now to go out isn't good at all.

Hein · 1 Dec 2005, 08:47 (Ref:1474436)

So Thomas does not have a IRL drive for 2006? How could this happen, the guy is a great racer!

rustyfan · 1 Dec 2005, 09:41 (Ref:1474475)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hein

So Thomas does not have a IRL drive for 2006? How could this happen, the guy is a great racer!

As far as I know Scheckter is the driver Panther would like to have driving for them once they secure the necessary funding for 2006. I reckon they have told him he's free to explore other opportunities if he so wishes though.

I'm quite confident Panther will pull through, although, it wouldn't be the first time a top team has been forced to pack it in if it would come to that - motor racing history is, unfortunately, full of similar fates.

BootsOntheSide · 1 Dec 2005, 11:45 (Ref:1474597)

The other problem they face is that they need to get a financial package together before large numebrs of their mechanics have taken jobs elsewhere, perhaps en masse? And indeed before all the good drivers are signed up?

Do you think Tony George might help the team out financially, perhaps by merging Vision into them so as to create a 2-car team? What would be the maximum grid size for which Tony would allow anotehr 1 or 2 cars to be lost? On another note, has Menard completely abandoned the team?

Kicking-back · 1 Dec 2005, 14:21 (Ref:1474737)

Menard's been away from Panther for over a year - he was with Rahal in 2005

Xpunk75 · 1 Dec 2005, 23:37 (Ref:1475229)

I think you will see Panther Racing next year in Champ Car, if they determine their still able to be saved. With Panther Racing out for next year how many teams does that leave for the IRL?

Team Owner · 2 Dec 2005, 01:12 (Ref:1475278)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xpunk75

I think you will see Panther Racing next year in Champ Car, if they determine their still able to be saved. With Panther Racing out for next year how many teams does that leave for the IRL?

You're a little premature in saying that Panther Racing is out of the IRL.

climb · 2 Dec 2005, 07:54 (Ref:1475394)

Everyone hopes you're right Team Owner; do you have any elements about it?

Kicking-back · 2 Dec 2005, 09:13 (Ref:1475432)

Lets just say he's close to the situation

Tim Northcutt · 2 Dec 2005, 11:34 (Ref:1475555)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xpunk75

I think you will see Panther Racing next year in Champ Car, if they determine their still able to be saved. With Panther Racing out for next year how many teams does that leave for the IRL?

Let's see....

I have a garage full of Dallaras, but no engine package, and no sponsor, so I have to lay people off because I can't pay them...

Solution????

Go out and spend money that I don't have on Lolas and Cosworth turbos....

Sorry....I don't buy it...

the same way I didn't buy Hemelgarn going to Champ Car in 2004 to compete in the "$1 per lease Reynards" that never materialized...

enemy-ace · 4 Dec 2005, 13:56 (Ref:1476796)

Selling the car to make payroll. I certainly hope they find a sponsor, it would be sad to see a team go out this way.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/4-Pennzoil-Panthe...QQcmdZViewItem

macdaddy · 4 Dec 2005, 15:51 (Ref:1476824)

The car being sold was the one Hornish drove to five wins and two championships. It's been retired for awhile, so the team still owns its newer chassis.

Hazard · 4 Dec 2005, 23:36 (Ref:1477016)

Quote:

Originally Posted by macdaddy

The car being sold was the one Hornish drove to five wins and two championships. It's been retired for awhile, so the team still owns its newer chassis.

Wouldn't be suprised if they've phoned frank and asked him to let the guy who bought all his stuff that they're selling more outdated unraceable machinery if he/she wants it.

D.R.T. · 5 Dec 2005, 00:29 (Ref:1477039)

Surely if nothing works out with the Patrick thing, TG will step in and help Panther field vehicles for 06.

mountainstar · 6 Dec 2005, 05:46 (Ref:1477991)

Quote:

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

TG will step in and help Panther field vehicles for 06.

To what end?

D.R.T. · 6 Dec 2005, 10:54 (Ref:1478142)

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

The IRL has minimum cars numbers with promoters aswell wouldnt it ?

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