What is Aston Martin up to? - Page 41

Graham Goodwin · 2 Mar 2009, 23:03 (Ref:2407693)

More or less my response

TWK · 2 Mar 2009, 23:05 (Ref:2407696)

Quote:

Originally Posted by deggis

AMR and Lola, please have a group hug before this gets out of hands...

It's been long since "out of hand," having nothing to do with automobiles.

cmk · 3 Mar 2009, 00:03 (Ref:2407728)

This is all pretty godforsaken absurd. It's almost a relief that they aren't in with much of a look for outright success at La Sarthe this year, because it would be a crying shame to have the victory consumed by some sort of hissyfit over who deserves the credit.

Audi Racer · 3 Mar 2009, 00:21 (Ref:2407737)

Hold it. What in the world is taking place here. I don't understand. It sounds like Lola wants to be greedy and take the sucess of the aston Martin if they get any. The Acura used a courage tub and crashstructure but it was allowed to be renamed. It's either that or i dont' know what. Why would someone like david richards knowingly do that. Quite frankly i'm angry with aston martin for being associated with this *backmarker*(in anger) franchise looking to make itself look good. The Lola coupe is not that great a car. Just because it is better than the rest of the petrol does not mean i's fast. Everyone else could just be slow Seen with the Audi R10 coming in beating everyone at lemans 06. Just because the audi was fastest did not mean it was fast. when the peugeot came then you knew what was fast. That a strange press release. I has alot of anger in it

carsten66 · 3 Mar 2009, 00:39 (Ref:2407744)

Such a statement is really unusual and in the meantime I would say the whole thing is overboiling... and for shure Lola is offended by the quotes given by Richards (not AM) - but it seems for Lola it's more just like a slap in the face...

It's going to be interesting what the reply will be... I hope they barely can settle all the stuff...

andy_b · 3 Mar 2009, 01:00 (Ref:2407752)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audi Racer

....It sounds like Lola wants to be greedy and take the sucess of the aston Martin if they get any. ..... That a strange press release...... I has alot of anger in it

Do you really think Lola is being greedy. The basis is their IP. Its hard to know how much AMR have changed as an outsider, but as an outsider it appears to be a Lola with new front, rear bodywork (and engine cover??) - I'm sure its not as simple as that, but come on, its a Lola really.

Either way, its sad this has come out in the open.

andy_b · 3 Mar 2009, 01:08 (Ref:2407755)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audi Racer

Quite frankly i'm angry with aston martin for being associated with this *backmarker*(in anger) franchise looking to make itself look good. The Lola coupe is not that great a car. Just because it is better than the rest of the petrol does not mean i's fast.

just re-read this. Do you know this history of Lola? Hardly a backmarker.

9th at Le Mans (with AM power of course) and 5th overall in LMS in its first year with a small budget shows its a good car. I doubt we would ever see a Diesel Aston Martin and I doubt Audi or Peugeot would sale Richards a chassis.

Dyson, RML, Speedy and others have chosen to run the same basic car. I love Aston Martin, but got to be honest here.

Either way, its sad. Lola say its a Lola, Aston say its pretty much re-designed from scratch. All I know is its potentially much needed British success......

cmk · 3 Mar 2009, 01:15 (Ref:2407757)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audi Racer

Hold it. What in the world is taking place here. I don't understand. It sounds like Lola wants to be greedy and take the sucess of the aston Martin if they get any. The Acura used a courage tub and crashstructure but it was allowed to be renamed. It's either that or i dont' know what. Why would someone like david richards knowingly do that. Quite frankly i'm angry with aston martin for being associated with this *backmarker*(in anger) franchise looking to make itself look good. The Lola coupe is not that great a car. Just because it is better than the rest of the petrol does not mean i's fast. Everyone else could just be slow Seen with the Audi R10 coming in beating everyone at lemans 06. Just because the audi was fastest did not mean it was fast. when the peugeot came then you knew what was fast. That a strange press release. I has alot of anger in it

Have you actually read the offending quotes on DSC or elsewhere? If not, I don't really see how you are equipped to comment on the situation. If you have, well, I don't really get your position. Actually, truth be told, I agree with Andy - you're saying some things that are patently untrue and others that are at best suspect or have little supporting evidence. You should be angry with Aston for trying to put an effort on the grid with what money they had - real angry!

TWK · 3 Mar 2009, 01:50 (Ref:2407776)

This forum tif is almost as funny as the "back story" behind that Lola comment and the way this project has gone. Almost, but not.

whitec21 · 3 Mar 2009, 02:08 (Ref:2407785)

To me it's more sad than funny, but maybe that's just me...

TWK · 3 Mar 2009, 02:15 (Ref:2407788)

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitec21

To me it's more sad than funny, but maybe that's just me...

Ask another White, Corey. If he hasn't heard, he'll know who to call. Or, if you know the 'back story," don't be such a moralist. ;-)

whitec21 · 3 Mar 2009, 02:32 (Ref:2407793)

Oh, I have and it's not the P1 that I'm nervous about.

canam · 3 Mar 2009, 09:13 (Ref:2407890)

Lola spent the money and Aston Martin Racing (a Prodrive (not Aston Martin) company) did not. If AMR have done an 'across the board' revamp, then AMR may have some crumbs of an argument. Lola claims only minor mods occurred.

AMR appear to trying to bypass the Lola homologation through claiming the car is very different as it appears that they could not agree commercial terms. AMR know the score and should pay the money if they want it homologated as an Aston Martin.

I wonder what it says on the homologation papers submitted to the ACO for the Le Mans entry. Given the recent public airing of dirty laundry, I would hazard a guess that the manufacturer is Lola not Aston Martin.

I have absolutely no sympathy for AMR. After all, Lola is having is 50th anniversary and AMR may be having its 5th or 10th. Provenance?? Lola all the way.

Mal · 3 Mar 2009, 09:24 (Ref:2407895)

Whilst I have some sympathy for those criticising AMR - Lola should not forget that it builds cars for customers and AMR is by far its biggest customer for its P1 chassis.

CTD · 3 Mar 2009, 09:56 (Ref:2407912)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mal

Whilst I have some sympathy for those criticising AMR - Lola should not forget that it builds cars for customers and AMR is by far its biggest customer for its P1 chassis.

If Lola had made everything, and AMR only had made the order, then it's a Lola!, and AMR should not have their name on it!
except if AMR pays Lola to put the name on it! (which doesn't seem to be the case).
Lola have every right of saying it's a Lola and AMR has none!. What AMR have said is basically lying, and stealing credit from Lola!, so i understand fully that Lola makes this statement and tells the truth about the AMR cars, so they can get the credit for there work!.
If AMR starts to complain about Lola's statement, it would be childish and unprofessional!, just because you buy and order something doesn't mean you build it!

The Badger · 3 Mar 2009, 10:02 (Ref:2407918)

No .... the Lola is a designed and built in house chassis , which is copywrited . Nobody has the authority to rename a copy protected invention .

Thats like some dude recently , asked me to made some equiptment storage boxs from aluminium for an air ambulance . He said that he would pay me ..... but then he also wants a drawing . Whats that for , so he can give it to someone else to make cheaper ?

Its my drawing ..... and if he wants it , he pays for it . And I still get credit for it if it is copywrited . and not him !!!

And Mal ..... Lola did a lot of business before AMR ever came along and ever existed. Just because AMR has bought several chassis from Lola , doesnt give them the right to ignore copywrite laws ?

One wonders what Dave Richards would do in a reversed situation ? ..... I think not .

Mal · 3 Mar 2009, 10:30 (Ref:2407936)

Whilst I agree with both the above statements about copywright etc and I agree that DR comments were out of order - I still dont think it is best business practice to have a public war with one of your best customers.

LC2guy · 3 Mar 2009, 10:35 (Ref:2407940)

Man this is just a bit sad. I bet Peugeout and Audi are quaking in their boots .....

LC2guy · 3 Mar 2009, 11:33 (Ref:2407985)

When i was 17, i bought a MK1 Ford Escort. I put a spoiler on it, changed the plugs and put fat wheels on it. Called it the Rummy Special, and Ford never complained once .......

The Badger · 3 Mar 2009, 12:08 (Ref:2408008)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mal

I still dont think it is best business practice to have a public war with one of your best customers.

Yep ..... could this not have been sorted out behind closed doors . But If DR went public , Lola probably had no choice .

Mal · 3 Mar 2009, 12:26 (Ref:2408021)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Badger

Yep ..... could this not have been sorted out behind closed doors . But If DR went public , Lola probably had no choice .

No they didnt - but if I was Lola in this situation I would have put out a clarification statement that said what it needed in a less directly combative and aggressive tone, whilst still respecting the marketing needs of my customer.

That way anyone deep enough into sportscar racing to be a potential Lola customer would know the reality and whilst anyone who is not in that position would see an Aston Martin Brand racing which may lead to good general publicity for my customer with the marketing and sales benefits that may bring and potentially lead to further business for my racing car business in the future.

I would not have made a statment that could be potentially damaging to the image of my customer.

Fogelhund · 3 Mar 2009, 14:48 (Ref:2408132)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Badger

Yep ..... could this not have been sorted out behind closed doors . But If DR went public , Lola probably had no choice .

Nobody really knows the full story here, even those who may know more than what has been stated publicly. Apparently those involved felt that it could not be sorted out behind closed doors, perhaps for a very good reason. We don't know what has occurred behind closed doors, and sometimes that is a good thing.

What should, and should not have happened don't matter though. What matters is whether this effort is competitive, and we should all hope for the best on that front.

LC2guy · 3 Mar 2009, 15:26 (Ref:2408158)

Reading the Lola statement again, it appears the contract is for supply of 2 cars. Hopefully they can sort their differences, or a 3rd car at Le mans would appear unlikely.

cmk · 3 Mar 2009, 15:34 (Ref:2408167)

I've been debating with myself whether that is a technicality (ie. Toni Charouz is actually the purchaser of the 3rd chassis) or whether it's a genuine concern. There have been statements made indicating that the funding for the 3rd chassis at LM is a work in progress anyway.

CTD · 3 Mar 2009, 15:35 (Ref:2408171)

Quote:

Originally Posted by LC2guy

Reading the Lola statement again, it appears the contract is for supply of 2 cars. Hopefully they can sort their differences, or a 3rd car at Le mans would appear unlikely.

The 3rd car has already been confirmed by ACO, for Le Mans!. So the 3rd car will be build, and AMR will receive it! (unless the AMR and Lola case gets worse, and they split, but that would mean legal actions would have to be taken, which none of the parts would be interested in, these times!).

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