V8Supercar driver at NASCAR roadcourse??

[Robert Ryan]

There was an article in Motorsport News about a seat being maybe available for another V8Supercar driver at the NASCAR roadracing events. Any names?

[Driver TBA]

Another forum is throwing Rick Kelly's name around. Although personally I'd love to see Mark Skaife race in the road course events.

[Robert Ryan]

Another forum is throwing Rick Kelly's name around

I think Marcos could give him a few tips. For a NASCAR one off race it could be interesting.

[Downoz]

It is the Red Bull Camry of Brian Vickers. The DTM driver Lindstrom(Spel.) is testing but he wont be available for the August 5 road race at Watkins Glen so it seems that Rick may get a chance there with his tie up with Red Bull.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by Downoz

It is the Red Bull Camry of Brian Vickers. The DTM driver Lindstrom(Spel.) is testing but he wont be available for the August 5 road race at Watkins Glen so it seems that Rick may get a chance there with his tie up with Red Bull.

that would be Mattias Ekström....

i honestly wish you blokes would send the whole series over here; not just a pilot or two!

i would still be interested in seeing if there is a V8 driver heading our way for a one off.

[sizzle]

According to ENews it is Rick Kelly doing a one off at Watkins Glen.

[gttouring]

I thought Ambrose would have done better in cup not that he has done poorly but are those NASCAR tanks that tricky? EvenJPM who won at Sear's point sonoma whatever you call it has not dominated. Is NASCAR that difficult? Because is this has shown to be true Skaife and ekstrom have alot of work to do. I love it when folks disparage the mostly left biased oval rich series. It's brutal

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by gttouring

I thought Ambrose would have done better in cup not that he has done poorly but are those NASCAR tanks that tricky? EvenJPM who won at Sear's point sonoma whatever you call it has not dominated. Is NASCAR that difficult? Because is this has shown to be true Skaife and ekstrom have alot of work to do. I love it when folks disparage the mostly left biased oval rich series. It's brutal

I think Ambrose (and JPM for that matter) have done extremely well. they don't have the best equipment out there, albeit pretty good stuff, but they have shown why they were successful everywhere else they have raced. Given their circumstances, they have done well and show improvement every time they step into the car.

like other forms of motorsports, Stockcar racing in the states has become VERY specialized, which makes it VERY difficult for someone to come into the series from entirely different cars. late model stockcars and Cup cars are archaic and a handful in comparison to most modern racecars. guys like Reed Sorrenson, who started racing saloons on ovals when he started grade school have struggled to make it in Stockcar's "top flight", after he had dominated every series in which he ran. these are the "best" of the "best" stockcar drivers and teams in the US that you have to compete against.

Also, most of the times, the one off drivers get with teams that don't have the experience compared to others and have seen their races lost on pit lane or strategy. Guys like Ron Fellows and Boris Said have tried for years, and while they have won some lower tier races, they have failed to bring home the trophy on Sunday.

Kelly will have the equipment and a good team in the 83 bunch, so i am for certain that he will add something special to the "show".

[stmookeyj033]

Should have been Paul Morris going over there. I mean, we're looking for a threepeat of massive Watkins Glen crashes and he'd be the man rather than Rick (although he is capable).

[cavvy]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

Kelly will have the equipment and a good team in the 83 bunch, so i am for certain that he will add something special to the "show".

So you believe this not just a Kelly PR peice ?

Aus V8SC drivers have not had any currency outside their own back yard.

[peckstar]

I think you might need to step out of your back yard more Cavvy

Rick Kelly has Red Bull sponsorship. Red Bull has currency outside our back yard.

He would be competing in a Red Bull owned team

[D.R.T.]

Yes Red Bull being the link rather Rick Kelly or another V8 driver being at the top of their talent pool.

[cavvy]

Originally Posted by peckstar

I think you might need to step out of your back yard more Cavvy

Rick Kelly has Red Bull sponsorship. Red Bull has currency outside our back yard.

He would be competing in a Red Bull owned team

Fair dinkum ... a puff peice !

[Woolley]

Presumably more with the intent of promoting NASCAR in Aus rather than the other way around?

[bludvl_x19]

Originally Posted by Woolley

Presumably more with the intent of promoting NASCAR in Aus rather than the other way around?

It must be working, cos I'm watching the highlights from the All-Stars Race right now

[davester]

I wonder if Rick Kelly driving a factory funded Toyota in the worlds leading tin-top series (that'd be NASCAR) will have future ramifications on their Holden funding in Australia.

If he were merely a driver for TKR it may be more explainable, but when he is a team owner, explaining it to Holden is more difficult.

[jiminee]

KR do not get Holden money though, just parts and support right?
So what have they got to complain about? There is certainly no Holden signage on the cars anymore so go get 'em Rick!

[Micklegend]

If this comes off for Rick, good on him. Would like to see another aussie go over and do well on a road course in Nascar.

[Go Harder.]

So Rick would be racing against Marcos right?? Would be funny to see Marcos have a cry if Rick finishes ahead

[Denosaur]

Originally Posted by jiminee

KR do not get Holden money though, just parts and support right?
So what have they got to complain about? There is certainly no Holden signage on the cars anymore so go get 'em Rick!

Rick, like all of guys aren't allowed to have manufacturer contracts any more under VESA regs. He would probably have to run it past Holden and any other sponsors of his before going ahead. Chances are he may need to cover up the Toyota logo on his suit.

Holden does have signage on the car, they have there "Ecoline" brand on there.

[Silver GT]

Originally Posted by Go Harder.

So Rick would be racing against Marcos right?? Would be funny to see Marcos have a cry if Rick finishes ahead

I thought it would be funny if Rick cried because he finished behind Boris Said.

Rick couldnt beat Marcos on his own turf....doubt he'd get anywhere near him in NASCAR

[jiminee]

Originally Posted by Denosaur

Rick, like all of guys aren't allowed to have manufacturer contracts any more under VESA regs. He would probably have to run it past Holden and any other sponsors of his before going ahead. Chances are he may need to cover up the Toyota logo on his suit.

Holden does have signage on the car, they have there "Ecoline" brand on there.

Nope, have studied that livery pretty closely and no Ecoline on there this year. There was with the 2009 car but nothing this year. Holden appear as a minor sponsor on the web page but you gotta hunt for it and no signage on the drivers suits either.
Ecoline are on HRT, 888, D'Alberto and PMM though.
As you say, no contract directly with Holden any more either for the drivers so seems like that will not be a problem at all.

[F J Nedos]

Originally Posted by davester

I wonder if Rick Kelly driving a factory funded Toyota in the worlds leading tin-top series (that'd be NASCAR) will have future ramifications on their Holden funding in Australia.

Here's one for Stealthy - Nascar's dont have headlights. So what on earth do they actually drive over there? They can't be Chev's, Fords, Toyotas. Dodges

So the point is null and void!

[ForumNick]

Ahhhhh............

They have 'headlight' stickers !!!!!!!!!!
(in the correct 'corporate' shapes)

[D.R.T.]

So with Mattias Ekström be signed to Red Bull for the Sonoma event does this cut R Kelly's NASCAR career off?