Finn to race Fortec FR ?

[Jonathan Traber]

I just heard that some finnish guy named Marjoselmi or something like that will race with Fortec the british FR2000 champs. Anybody heard the same or anything about this guy ?
What's your opinion is 4 cars too much ?

[Paul Rayner]

I wouldn't say that four cars is too much, as Fortec managed to take first and second place last year, while running four cars.

[bella]

so long as they've got the engineers it'd be fine. the only limitation is manpower and management skills, and like paul says, i think they've shown they can do that in 2002.

[Russfeld]

I have a dim view on Manor and Foretc suddenly adding cars. It seems more like they;re trying to run a business than a race team.

[medler]

Russfield Racing teams are a business or the ones that forget that soon disapear or let the drivers down when the money runs out. So like the others I can't see that 4 cars is to many if they have the mechanics and engineers to run them.

[Russfeld]

Well my complaint is it seems Manor as 4 cars so the 4th and arguably even the 3rd car can just make money.

[El_Gibleto]

Any driver joining a tean in those circumstances knows that he'll be "down the pecking order" within that team. In many ways it's an admission by the driver that he lacks the belief in his own ability to make a car go fast enough to win, if he's not in a "big name" team.

In most caes a driver would get better value for his money and better treatment if he was the main driver in one of the other teams, however that removes an easy excuse if he's not quick.

[Morcilman]

Too much! four cars is too much and expensive. I would go for a different route, and for the money Scollarship F3 or Spanish F3 are better options in teams with less than 4 cars

[Paul Rayner]

Surely economies of scale means that the more cars you have the cheaper it can be per car. As for the teams trying to make extra money, what on earth do you expect them to do? Stop as soon as they break even, and do it out of the goodness of their hearts?

As for the cash, which is going to attract the sponsors? The option of driving for a lowly team in Scholarship F3, or the option of driving for the champion Formula Renault team? Depends on the sponsor, but it's not always so clear cut.

If I was a third or fourth driver at Fortec, I'd see it as a great opportunity. How many people have heard of this Finnish guy? He could come to FRenault and, with a top team, learn quickly and prove himself. Not an opportunity you'd want to turn down.

[superbird]

I think junior formula teams are a rubbish way to make money. I don't like the idea of relying on two customers/drivers and it's debateable as to whether you can do a good job for the "other" two.

[Zingo]

FORTEC LOOKS TO BE FULL AT FOUR DRIVERS, DONE DEAL. NO FINNISH PILOTS THOUGH.

[Jonathan Traber]

And who are these four drivers ?

[429CJ]

Never heard a finn driver called Marjoselmi, sounding more like italian to me.

[noweels]

Finnish guy does exsist but will not be signing for Fortec
4th driver signed today ,but 5th driver being considered
also two Brazillians ready to sign Fortec considering running second team

[Russfeld]

5th driver? second team? Sheesh

[racingdick]

yowsa

[Jonathan Traber]

Whoa sounds like business... 5 or six drivers and two teams. Any idea what's average budget in british fr in quality team? I heard last year some european FR drivers spent more or less 400000€ (including german and euro championships)
Where do these kids find the money? Most sponsorships gotta be based on friendship (or daddy's bank account) because,although FR F3 etc. are high level racing, I don't believe not a one sponsored pound will come back beacuse of ads.
Opinions?

[racingdick]

mr jinxx your expert opinion required here!! though a top drive in Fr is in the region of 160-170k.
The recent winter series in america was roughlt 25k for the 5 round series.

[Russfeld]

Yeah but the Eurocup guys were often doing a 10 race European championship and a 10 race National championship, and my understanding in Europe is they are more relaxed in the testing rules so you can spend a lot more money

[Mr Jinxx]

I understand Fortec were asking 170k UKP for a seat in 2003, and as Conway was signed up first, I assume this is what he paid. I don't think any of the other teams were asking quite this much.

It's not fair nor true to say that if a team has already signed 2 drivers, the following 2 drivers (#'s 3 and 4 in the team) will know they are just paying for the experience. They don't know that at all. They think the team will treat all drivers the same.

"Daddy's bank account" is very patronising. I worked like **** all my life and took risks and eventually made some money. I have spent it on backing my son, believing he is different from most drivers, believing he has the attributes, the je ne sais quoi, believing he is worth the gamble. I have nothing left to give - if he cannot attract, through whatever means, the necessary backing to take him further, then his motorsport career will die. I believe he has what it takes, and have backed him to the best of my ability. I drive an L reg Mazda. I could have had a brand new Ferarri, my dream.

I take offence at the glib phrase "Daddy's bank account". You cannot know the sacrifice unless you have made it. I would not back him if I did not genuinely believe he was special and able to perform at the absolute highest level in all regards. I would not back my daughter thus (and I love her to bits). And I will have that Ferrari, one way or another, no matter what.

[Mr Jinxx]

I hate motorsport for its reliance on money.

But then again, I'm 5'5" and it's not a fair fight putting me in a 100m sprint against Linford Christie, whose every stride is maybe 12" longer than mine. Unfair machinery advantage.

Lucky I have a bigger d1ck

[Russfeld]

Yes but you must also recognise your analysis of his abilities will be somewhat clouded by your relationship to him.

[racingdick]

your not going to put everything on the line unless your pretty sure its going to pay off!!!
motorsport is a lottery an expensive one at that.
also the fact mr jinxx's son has done damn well and should make his father very proud.. and surely is a star of the future, providing some big sponsors can help old jinxx out.

[Russfeld]

You'd be surprised what parents do for their children.

[Mr Jinxx]

Of course I know my judgement is bound to be clouded. But in truth, it only tends to get clouded at the beginning, when the child/driver's character is not fully formed, and their driving abilities are unknown. Once you get to a certain level and age, your analysis of your offspring's abilities tend to be much much more analytical and arms length, I can assure you - the money is so crucifying that you get desperate for them to take up Power Knitting or something!! It focusses you very keenly on the level of support you are prepared to give, and therefore your view is much much more objective than it was at the beginning