Grease monkeys

oily oaf · 8 Sep 2003, 13:57 (Ref:711849)

Just a nod in the direction of the race engineer and his loyal band of oilstained compadres at Panther racing. Wot a great little team they are and speaking as a time served, dermititis suffering vehicle technician(dont call me mechanic dude)

I gotta give a mention to these largely unsung heroes of the torque wrench and valve spring compressor. Great work greasy fellas!
IMHO Hornish was out of order in the way he left Panther without telling them his move to Penske was a done deal until after the contract had been signed. Lets hope its not a decision that will come back to haunt him next season if Panther take the 500.

rustyfan · 8 Sep 2003, 14:41 (Ref:711892)

I think there are two big reasons to why he decided to leave; 1) Penske is, after all, Penske and 2) Penske has a solid NASCAR connection. It's no secret Hornish would like to try stock-cars at one point, whether it's a full-time career change or the odd race (like for example the Daytona 500), and Penske can provide that opportunity

Personally I'd love to see Hornish give the 2004 Daytona 500 a try

climb · 8 Sep 2003, 14:57 (Ref:711920)

In a previous post I poited pout that Sam, after 3 years as david, now prefers to switch to Goliath role.
Though it will have all the conditions to win, and make much more money, he'll surely no more have the same emotion, of beating the big fish with a small team, which is on the other hand filled with smart people.

BootsOntheSide · 8 Sep 2003, 16:15 (Ref:712014)

Panther win the 500? Don't amke me laugh. They're one of the better teams who didn't switch over, but it's only Sam's brilliance that's kept them in the fray.

I doubt anyone would've rejected that offer of moving from David to Goliath status, and having a realistic chance of winning the title again before going NASCAR, where teh fame, adulation, and challenge (and money) is.

B/Mark · 8 Sep 2003, 19:16 (Ref:712229)

Boots, I know you don't mean that.
Panther will win the 500 sometime soon but without Sam IMHO.

Jordi · 8 Sep 2003, 22:29 (Ref:712440)

It reminds me of Greg Moore. Greg was interested in NASCAR as well as being followed by F1 teams, and the move to Penske might have seen Greg instead of Ryan Newman in that car. But we know why it didn't happen.

B/Mark, I take it you think Mark Taylor is gonna win the 500 for Panther... well, if someone has to, he's a pretty fast guy.

oily oaf · 9 Sep 2003, 06:28 (Ref:712665)

Some of us are not paying attention. I didn't say Hornish was neccessarily wrong in his switch to Penske after all we all have the right to make what we perceive as career enhancing decisions. What leaves a sour taste in the mouth is the manner in which Hornish presented Panther with a fait accompli without giving the guys who worked their asses off to make him so succsessful the chance to put in a counter offer or at least discuss the move with him.
As for Boot's assertion that Panther wont win at Indy, you are obviously blessed with the gift of second sight in which case who do you like in the 2.30 at Kempton and any time I feel inclined to make you laugh I'll tell you a joke mate.

oily oaf · 9 Sep 2003, 06:32 (Ref:712668)

PS The David and Goliath analogy doesnt quite cut the mustard either, as I remember it Goliath ended up with a good old fashioned ass kicking.

marcus · 9 Sep 2003, 07:58 (Ref:712746)

heheheh , yes but you have a way with words Oily

I hadnt considered the option of Panther being a little bitter , but I guess on track performances are not suffering as Sam took a great win at Chicago

climb · 9 Sep 2003, 08:12 (Ref:712772)

Actually, oily oaf, we don't know whether Sam presented them with a fait accompli: who knows? maybe they have negociated for months, or, as well, he told them about his decision to change with good advance, even before receiving an offer from Penske...

marcus · 9 Sep 2003, 08:15 (Ref:712777)

ohh stop putting all these new thoughts into my head , im getting really confused

I guess the end result is that he is going and it is a step in the right direction in my opinion.

i just hope Panther can get a good driver in the seat to replace him and maybe even a second car.

oily oaf · 9 Sep 2003, 13:17 (Ref:713125)

Ah but we do know Climb my Italian friend as it is common knowledge amonst the Indy racing fraternity and was in fact mentioned by Larry Rice in the race commentary on Sunday that John Barnes the team boss at Panther and a man who commands great repect in IRL circles having worked with amonst others Mario Andretti, Al Unser, Bobby Unser and Johnny Parsons was extemely p****d off by the underhand manner of Sam's departure.
I should therefore like to reiterate my humble opinion that a man and indeed a team such as this deserve a little more respect than was shown by young Mr Hornish who IMHO will go on to be one of the greats drivers of all time if not one of the most respected.

BSchneiderFan · 9 Sep 2003, 13:37 (Ref:713148)

I can see Barron winning Indy for Panther, if they have the wit to sign him.

B/Mark · 9 Sep 2003, 19:22 (Ref:713496)

Thomas Enge gets to test tomorrow!

Down F0rce · 9 Sep 2003, 19:36 (Ref:713505)

Thomas Enge? That's interesting...

marcus · 10 Sep 2003, 02:19 (Ref:713722)

wow , Enge is going to test ???

will be good to see what he is capable of.

Snrub · 10 Sep 2003, 03:41 (Ref:713740)

I think he'll do just fine. I would expect him to do fine in any series.

BootsOntheSide · 10 Sep 2003, 09:15 (Ref:713909)

He might find it harder than he's expecting though, especvially if he ends up as the only Panther driver, consdiering that he has no oval experience. Kenny Brack was winning races quickly, but the competiton level was very different then. If a CART ride come sup I'd rather see him take that, and Barron the IRL one.

marcus · 11 Sep 2003, 03:01 (Ref:714623)

as a side note Happy birthday Mr. Enge

rush1 · 11 Sep 2003, 22:02 (Ref:715684)

Did Enge have a some type of drug suspension in F1?

Down F0rce · 11 Sep 2003, 22:13 (Ref:715694)

He was caught using some kind of drugs last year, in F3000. He was stripped of the championship and was banned from (I think) all FIA-sanctioned open wheel events for one year.

marcus · 12 Sep 2003, 02:24 (Ref:715810)

I believe it was Marijuana.

I dont know the details so I wont speculate on anything , just a shame for a yopung guy like Enge to do something like that.

but I hope he does well in the test.

rush1 · 12 Sep 2003, 02:57 (Ref:715828)

Well, he is a young guy and everyone deserves a second chance. As long as him and Scheckter don't become roomies everything should be fine

Jay · 12 Sep 2003, 03:40 (Ref:715856)

wow I actually agree with rush1... being punished for something as petty as marijuana is just plain stupid. He's a very quick driver, has been great in ALMS, and I'm sure he'd do fine in open-wheel. Obviously I'd prefer he'd stay in road/street racing though.

BootsOntheSide · 12 Sep 2003, 10:33 (Ref:716139)

I think it was a compeltely ridiculous punishment, and it always struck me as ironic that his team was sponsored by a vodka manufacturer. I'm quite pro-legalisation on maruijana anyway, and I think the suspension was way OTT. Hopefully he can establish himself a top career of some form.

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