Sherrin Out of Carrera Cup & Minis.......!!!!!!

[inpitlane]

Iain Sherrin has this afternoon announced that he is selling his Motorsport Events company leaving the Carrera Cup and the new Mini Challenge looking for new owners.
Both BMW(Mini) and Porsche cars Australia have issued statements pledging their support for their respective series.
Things are getting curiouser and curiouser.

[davelise]

wow, didn't see that coming.

[deano2]

my crystal ball says that blaikie will end up back in charge of ccup and hell merge it with porsche challenge and end up with 30 car grids with a few classes within the one category....

[alfacors]

Originally Posted by deano2

my crystal ball says that blaikie will end up back in charge of ccup and hell merge it with porsche challenge and end up with 30 car grids with a few classes within the one category....

I can't see the Carrera Cup boys mixing it with the older series Porkas.
And I can't see guys like Burchartz and Co wanting to pay the massive entry fees and costs associated with Cup Car......

[EfiOz]

There was an interesting letter circulated yesterday from PCA regarding ownership of the Carrera Cup Championship. The letter alledgedly announces that Sherrin will cease ownership of the CMA for Carrera Cup but doesn;t say who will end up with it.

Maybe someone has realised the implications for himself if the ball of twine starts to unravel?

That is, of course, if such a letter does exist.

[GTRMagic]

There is allegedly no mention of the 2009 category owners even if the document is allegedly headed "New arrangement will be in place for 2009" and “We will work with Iain to have an arrangement in place by the end of this season to ensure a seamless and smooth transition into 2009. Until then it is racing and business as usual!” from Mr Winkler. Allegedly

Isnt 2009 the year the chassis were due to be updated/replaced?

[PVDA]

Obviously not selling enough footballs to pay for the motorsport

[noaxetogrind]

Originally Posted by alfacors

I can't see the Carrera Cup boys mixing it with the older series Porkas.
And I can't see guys like Burchartz and Co wanting to pay the massive entry fees and costs associated with Cup Car......

Don't think it was ever cost for Burchartz and co. Was pretty clear they didn't like being 3-4 secs a lap slower than 430, Lambo, Aston, and even a Lotus and given the front running 997s are as quick (probably quicker) than the other GT cars, I imagine they wouldn't want to run with the 997 boys as they would blow them off the circuit too.

[deano2]

it may not matter what the competitors want to some degree...with so many of the young drivers in cc off to fujitsu and overseas and sherrins gone(3 cars...and dont kid yourselves that sherrins are gonig to hang around) cc may struggle with numbers.lets say the challenge series stays at around 13 to 15 competitors and carrera cup next year (say 16 entrants) it makes commercial sense for porsche to combine them to a 30 odd car grid.ala new zealand.its going to be alot more cost effective from the porsche point of in terms of cost savings plus they will actually have the biggest grid in the country!!!

[MPA]

Nakkers, you stole my line.

I guess Sherrin has got the boot.

[MPA]

Serious now.

So a bunch of 20/25 guys with serious cash want to buy the same model car and go racing.....Sounds like a plan.

What did Sherrin do for them and what will change now.

I ask because I really don't have a clue.

The way I see it is.......two dozen rich fellas want to buy and race Carrera Cup Cars.....They pay bucks to someone to make this happen.....So they make they cheque out to someone else......No problem.

Is this too simple? Surely, you can fix anything if you throw enough money at it?

[williamsf1]

The current cars are almost past their used-by date, as they are now ALL chewing up very very expensive parts.... ask anyone what a diff centre costs!

You have to ask, what makes CC interesting?

A few years ago it had some very good drivers, and could boast a top 10 that would put on a good show as well as being fast...

now?

young guys given the choice of 500k for CC or Dev series? I know which one will get them a career...

[deano2]

okay so same make racing is boring but i must admit cc is the best same make series there is....and the current drivers are actually the quickest since its inception...times dont lie.

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by williamsf1

You have to ask, what makes CC interesting?

Exactly, especially when you consider the alternatives.

[williamsf1]

driver wise?

I'd rate the following current drivers:-

Dean Fiore
Craig Baird
Aaron Caratti (only when he isn't throwing it at the walls)

The rest I couldn't care for talent wise...

where as previously only Baird would have made the short list with the likes of...

Davo
Jim
Webb
Reynolds

and a few more I could mention...

as for lap times telliing no lies, well go testing or racing with any race car and a good engineer/team will get it going faster te more you go round and round...

anyhow my main point was bang for buck for a TALENTED driver... its too expensive.... more fun than a supercar, but less likely to get you a paying gig.

[mountainstar]

What about Jono Lester? I think he has potential.

[Uncle Cranker]

Originally Posted by MPA

Surely, you can fix anything if you throw enough money at it?

MPA: The rest of are all truly



You have just consolidated ever piece of literature and regulation ever written about motorsport into one simple sentence........

[Also a Believer]

do I smell the return of the Quinns.

[Denosaur]

Originally Posted by Also a Believer

do I smell the return of the Quinns.

I'd very much doubt they'll be back, as they did say they needed to focus on the business. But if they do return, it will then be blatantly obvious that they and possibly others walked from CC because of Sherrin's involvement.

From what I picked up on from conversations and discussions late last year from some personnel from CC and PCA, there was a bit of unrest caused by the new owners and the changes they made in the management chain.

[Also a Believer]

If its a kick in the pants from an exceptional business man the series requires, then Tony may be the man. Would also add some of the character back that the catagory seems to be missing. I dont know if its just me but the series seems to have gone from exciting to bland.

[alfacors]

Originally Posted by williamsf1

driver wise?

I'd rate the following current drivers:-

Dean Fiore
Craig Baird
Aaron Caratti (only when he isn't throwing it at the walls)

The rest I couldn't care for talent wise...

I would throw David Russell into that list as well. He's done very well in every category he's raced in barring the POS V8Supercar he drove with Pickett's crew....

[williamsf1]

but will David be out of a drive?? BOOM = SHERRIN correct?

[D.R.T.]

I guess another point, how many vehicles do the Sherrins support in Cup Car?

I mean there only 20 car grids currently, what happens if this falls further?

Sherrins support half the field in the Mini's aswell

[GreaseMonkey99]

I think the statement said they are still planning to run their race team just not the management...?

[alfacors]

Speculator Hat On - Maybe they are going to start their own Fujitsu Series team with Dave Russell leading the attack? There's far worse drivers to have in your V8 than Dave By removing themselves from the expense and complication of managing 2 racing series, and concentrating on car preparation it frees up capital to buy a V8Supercar.....?