Gag order

[MolsonBoy]

Champweb.net is reporting a gag order has been placed on CART.

"Toyota and Honda have clauses, WITHIN THEIR CURRENT contracts, that state something to the likes of "NO actions may be taken place, which would seem to be detrimental to the company in any way shape or form". An announcement that Ford will be the sole engine supplier, BEFORE the season is over, is a breach of contract.
The same goes for tracy. They do not want to have Tracy announced that he will be going to a Ford team, from a Honda team in 2003.

So don't expect any big announcement from CART until the end of the season.

[Tiresmoke]

The Invisible Racing League folks have delt all their cards. This gag order is one of the last cards, and isn't really even that good.

At seasons end, expect a flood of announcements from CART and its teams.

The IRL can keep paying Jack Arute to write that drivel.

[jcclausen]

The desperation of a gag order smacks of a loser, huh? Something is just not as it appears with this CART vs. IRL war. I can only speculate at this point. I can't make sense of it. Most CART venues draw much bigger crowds than an IRL race. CART has bigger TV numbers, except for Indy. Put the argument about quality of cars and drivers aside, which I think CART has a decided advantage in both, why would a sponsor chose the IRL when nobody is watching?

[Liz]

I don't know if you ever pulled this trick, but we used to do it all the time.

Most of our gang came home from university on the bus and we had to stop at the Port Authority in New York City to change buses. When we had a long layover we'd find a closed door and line up single file in front of it. After a maximum of twenty minutes we'd all pick up our luggage and leave. Generally there were at least 25 people in line behind us by then. Not a single one of them had any idea why they were there.

This strikes me as the same kind of trick. THey are lining up their shills in front of an empty room and hoping other people will join the line.

[jcclausen]

Maybe

[Flatspot]

I'm not sure that there is any "court ordered" gag order. I'm quite sure that there have been letters between lawyers stating that everyone better be careful in what they say.

Even still, I can't imagine a court saying that stating a fact that Cosworth is going to be the sole engine supplier next year is detrimental to current suppliers, particularly when both Honda and Toyota have announced they are leaving.

I'm not a lawyer but I don't see how making such an announcement could be construed as a "breach of contract". Now, if CART said "We're bringing in Cosworth to replace those rat bas*ards that defected to the underling series that is stuck running in circles." they may have a case.

[macdaddy]

You'd think that the announcements that were made by Honda and Toyota months ago could have been deemed as "detrimental" to CART's image.

I was upset when these manufacturers opted to leave, but now I'm actually kinda glad. Hopefully, by not having them and their deep pockets around, it may entice other manufacturers to enter the series in 2005. Names such as Mercedes, Porsche, Audi et al would be awesome.

[jcclausen]

"We're bringing in Cosworth to replace those rat bas*ards that defected to the underling series that is stuck running in circles."

That's a real zinger. Exactly what Chris Pook was thinking, I'm sure.

[f1manoz]

I think this gag order is pathetic and how on earth it is detrimental is beyond me!:confused:

I bet Pook and co. are happy to see the back of them now. They just about ruined CART during this year with their petty fights with the organisation. I just hope Pook and CART learn not to be pushed around by manufacturers again. If they don't want to play by the rules, leave.

[brightline]

Originally posted by Tiresmoke
The IRL can keep paying Jack Arute to write that drivel.

I can't stand Jack Arute, did anyone read his last article on rpm.espn.com that said: "Fear not, CART fans. There are moves underway to fulfill CART chairman Chris Pook's prediction of 20 cars full time next season in the Fed Ex Championship. His entrant assistance program has attracted some interest from
marginal IRL teams".

Translation (must be read in a squeeky thirteen year old voice): Wow, geez I really like my extra paychecks from Mr. George. He's super cool and a great kisser. Mr. George said I've got to try and take one more shot at CART before they make their big announcements or else I have to go to bed without my dessert. I hope he likes this article, but I could write anything because open wheel fans are stupid and will believe anything I say as fact! oh, did I get all that brown stuff off my nose.


By the way putting a gag order on Paul Tracy is like trying to slow down a Top Fuel Dragster with an umbrella.

[greg.n]

So does that make hemelgarn racing a marginal team? With the Coors money going to Chipper rumpour has it Lazier is out of a job. if that is a marginal team. Indy 2004..." the front two rows of the gris are lining up now. We have two Toyota cars from Penske, Two Honda cars from Andretti Honda Racing, a Honda from Nunn Racing and the Toyota from Chip Ganassi Racing. behind them is an empty track. it is a small field this year but the quality is very high, the highest it has ever been." " Thats right Jack. I can smellit from here..."