Muller in with a shot of Bathurst?

Hazard · 22 Aug 2005, 20:34 (Ref:1388699)

Yvan Muller has 'swapped' seating arrangements at Triple Eight for the endurance Aussie races.

Now, I know that sorta fits under the Aussie remit...but he's our guy (as are Cleland, Menu etc. on their way over).

Anyway, so Muller is now driving with Craig Lowndes for Sandown & Bathurst. Lowndes already a race winner this year, a former champion etc. and regular front runner. Should be in with a good shot this time.

429CJ · 23 Aug 2005, 19:06 (Ref:1389600)

Ah, he is switching from GM to Ford, sensible thing!

Hazard · 23 Aug 2005, 19:41 (Ref:1389628)

Hmmm, not that it's not been mentioned before...but it's the same team! Triple Eight run GM's in the UK, for Ford's in Oz.

I know it's weird.

luke · 23 Aug 2005, 20:22 (Ref:1389668)

This will be very interesting to watch.

redshoes · 23 Aug 2005, 21:22 (Ref:1389723)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazard

Hmmm, not that it's not been mentioned before...but it's the same team!

It is. Triple Eight Australia and Triple Eight Race Engineering are sister companies owned by the same people.

It's not that unusual. Prodrive for example run both Subaru and Aston Martin teams in different series as well as being involved in projects for other manufactorers.

Muller drove for Betta/Triple Eight at Bathurst last year as well, partnering Dean Canto.

Hazard · 23 Aug 2005, 22:42 (Ref:1389760)

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshoes

It is. Triple Eight Australia and Triple Eight Race Engineering are sister companies owned by the same people.

It's not that unusual. Prodrive for example run both Subaru and Aston Martin teams in different series as well as being involved in projects for other manufactorers.

Muller drove for Betta/Triple Eight at Bathurst last year as well, partnering Dean Canto.

True, but it is particularly strange in this instance considering the Ford/Holden rivalry, since Triple Eight effectively run 'Holden' cars in the UK.

And also since Ford & Holden/Vauxhall are rival marques...whereas Subaru & Aston Martin aren't so much.

Raglanparade · 24 Aug 2005, 00:09 (Ref:1389780)

Well who pays Mullers wage ?

Triple 8 or GM ? I think that is your answer !

Kicking-back · 24 Aug 2005, 05:50 (Ref:1389854)

Muller is paid by Vauxhall for the BTCC - but is free to do as he pleases on non-clashing dates

redshoes · 24 Aug 2005, 07:42 (Ref:1389893)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazard

True, but it is particularly strange in this instance considering the Ford/Holden rivalry, since Triple Eight effectively run 'Holden' cars in the UK.

Vauxhall UK is a completely seperate company to Holden Australia. Triple Eight don't "effectively run Holdens" they run Vauxhalls. As far as I'm aware there's no rivalry between Vauxhall UK and Ford Australia.

Muller has previously raced for SEAT in the WTCC whilst still a VX BTCC driver. I would that thought that was more strange.

It only seems stranges because of the Australians like to hype the Holden vs Ford viewpoint. If Triple Eight ran Ford in Aus and SEAT in the BTCC I doubt you would have commented on it.

BTW if you don't consider Subaru and Aston to be rivals how about Subaru and Ford. Prodrive have a part share in Ford Performance Vehicles Australia.

mac · 24 Aug 2005, 23:32 (Ref:1390580)

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshoes

BTW if you don't consider Subaru and Aston to be rivals how about Subaru and Ford. Prodrive have a part share in Ford Performance Vehicles Australia.

If you wanted to be really picky you could say that Subaru is part owned by GM and Aston Martin is owned by Ford!

Another GM vs Ford situation.

retro · 25 Aug 2005, 07:06 (Ref:1390716)

If you cross over to the v8 supercar forum a lot of posters there aren't too happy with this Muller/Lowndes pairing.

By the way this pairing is for Sandown at this stage with the Bathurst pairings to be decided.

Aussie's seem to doubt Mullers ability (not me)..what do you guy's think???

this thread - clicky

**FIRE** · 25 Aug 2005, 11:10 (Ref:1390882)

Quote:

Originally Posted by retro

If you cross over to the v8 supercar forum a lot of posters there aren't too happy with this Muller/Lowndes pairing.

By the way this pairing is for Sandown at this stage with the Bathurst pairings to be decided.

Aussie's seem to doubt Mullers ability (not me)..what do you guy's think???

this thread - clicky

Probably Aussies have their doubts about European drivers and Europeans have their doubts about Australian drivers. What you don't see, you don't believe in.

redshoes · 25 Aug 2005, 12:21 (Ref:1390938)

It's a much to do with what European imports have done so far. Couple of years ago Matt Neal managed to write off a brand new car in practice; last year Plato managed to crash before his teammate and Aussie legend Peter Brock even got chance to drive at what would have been his last ever Bathurst; Muller did ok last year but managed to beach the car on the curbs and had to retire. Cleland is probably the only European driver to get much respect from the fans.

429CJ · 25 Aug 2005, 20:10 (Ref:1391293)

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshoes

Cleland is probably the only European driver to get much respect from the fans.

Isn't Russell Ingall British?

redshoes · 25 Aug 2005, 20:25 (Ref:1391305)

Technically yes, but he's a full-time V8Supercar driver and pretty much an adopted Aussie now. I meant of the European drivers who only go out there for occational 2-driver endurance races.

racer69 · 26 Aug 2005, 06:16 (Ref:1391525)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac

If you wanted to be really picky you could say that Subaru is part owned by GM and Aston Martin is owned by Ford!

Another GM vs Ford situation.

Or further again, TWR when they ran works Holden's in Australia, and works Volvo's (in the latter months of their participation) owned by Ford.

It's a pity Andy Priaulx couldn't return again this year, he was quite impressive in his appearances in 2002 and 2003.

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