Is being a codriver like drinking from a poisoned chalice?

[GTRMagic]

Interesting to look at the entry lists of this year's endurance races, and notice that very few combinations for Sandown/Bathurst are exactly the same as they were in 2003...

Sure, Skaife/Kelly, Murphy/Kelly, Bright/Weel, Ellery/Youlden, Lowndes/Seton, Johnson/Luff, Jones/Bowe, Cleland/Jones, Baird/Porter are the same as in 2003, but thats 9 combinations out of a field of 35 (or 25.7% of
the field!) that has the same package year on year.

The driver that comes to mind as having a different codriver each year is the legendary Colin Bond, the cheerful chuckler and AVESCO/TEGA/CAMS DSO for V8Supercar, has an unenviable record of having a different codriver in
each of his Bathurst starts.....

Do the other 26 teams have drivers without talent, that they wont run with them again? Were they so bad, did they tear up so much equipment that there was no return invitation? Do codrivers have BO perhaps?

Or is there another reason...

[pplater]

$$$ ???

[aj_308]

if the chalise is from the palace??

co- drives are hard, unless you drive a blinder, you dont get noticed, look at mcconkin with HRT, he did what they asked..

[Timu]

And only three of those GTRM has mentioned are both current fulltime main series drivers.

The enduro revolving wheel is arguably worse than the silliy season one!

[Camaroz]

GTRM,

I would have thought that you (of all people) would have sussed this out.

With the exception of Lord Jim, there are very few 'available' (top notch or profesional) co-drivers (that is those that are content to pedal twice a year) that would even be considered for a co-drive in a top line V8SC at Sannoun or Baffirst.

For Co-Drivers (or in some cases 2nd-Driver/2nd Driver) you have the up-and-comers from KM (constantly shifting sands) and then you have those that can provide a positive input into the team usually via a BSB number or such like. The latter are also allowed to have some talent or at least enough positive input (refer above) to maybe last a couple of seasons (constantly shifting economic climate).

You also have the 'Reliables' ( Cleland, Mezera, Longhurst, Brock, D Brabham) and for some innane reason the token euro punter (Muller, Plato) that continue to arrive in the line-ups of what are supposed to be top line - switched on V8SC teams, trying to emmulate feats only mastered by Fitzpatrick and Ickx in the 70's (but I don't put Clello in this group) and have the promotional benefit of a double bacon burger at a Halal Butchers Convention.

Can't go without mentioning the 'Solids' that will always be in demand unless they are contracted (or remain in contract), these being (in no set order) Canto, Pretty, D'Agostin and Stokell, maybe Simonsen, Matty White and Macrow in there as well. These are only replaced when the aforementioned 'provide positive input via BSB' component is very active.

One final grouping would be the obvious stars. Top of the list here would be Ritter (apparently signed by SBR pre Xmas 2003) and Alex Davison.

So GTRM, no Poison Challice, just the big bad pro racing world out there. In my memory, the only possible poison chalice was for Cam with DJR but he came back!

Q. Just why are Plato and Muller back?

Cheers

[GTRMagic]

My wonderment isnt quite so cerebral, I guess I ask the obvious question about a codriver being a good fit for a team one year, having the right blend of skills, speed, sponsor introductions etc etc yet these qualities dont seem to endear drivers for a 2nd go at the event very regularly....

Sure, circumstances change, drivers take full time gigs and the like, but the secondary market for filling the #2 cars in many teams seems like a mish mash of ideas without a particularly clever purpose....

i.e. is running a 2nd car in some cases a waste of time and energy, given that it isnt likely to impact the outright proceedings....

just a thought...

[anthony81901]

Colin Bond actually managed to have one co-driver for 2 years running, Graeme Crosby in 90 and 91.

[Mattracer]

Originally posted by GTRMagic


Sure, circumstances change, drivers take full time gigs and the like, but the secondary market for filling the #2 cars in many teams seems like a mish mash of ideas without a particularly clever purpose...

I wonder what HRT's thoughts on the second car's line up is? :confused:

[GTRMagic]

Originally posted by Mattracer
I wonder what HRT's thoughts on the second car's line up is? :confused:

They probably cant here themselves think over the CACHHHIIINNGGG sounds of the cash registers

[Camaroz]

GTRM,

I take your point on para's 2 and 3.

Forgot to add to the menu 'Menu' (FPR have slipped into the middle of the radar as "top line - switched on V8SC Teams" and were missed on my original scan!!!

Anyone else got a view on 2nd's? What about the euro's? TC tells us that the Northerners (equator relevant) can't get enough on Eurovision so why does HesSkapeRacingTeam, FormallyProfessionallyRacing and TripoverEight insist on bringing out top line drivers used to under two litre buzzboxes that have a 200 RPM usable revband, are over tyre'd (to much grip) with sequential gearboxes and introduce them to 5 Litre (600HP), 3500 RPM rev band, undertyr'd, H pattern (+2) Muscle Cars and undertake a total retraining program inside three days at Sannoun and Baffirst????? (Only for them to be then forgotten until next year when then yet again take away a possibility of a local driver (through a chain of events) to get a gig????)

Sorry to get emotional, BUT *******G WHY - CAN SOMEONE TELL ME!!!!

Cheers.

PS. I see that Trusty Wallet(s) is having a farewell year in season 2005! Good PONTIAC Punter that boy!!!

[Sultan]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by aj_308
[B]if the chalise is from the palace??



They broke the Chalice from the palace & replaced it with a flaggon with a dragon..... Ahhhh, the brew that is true..

[Grimace]

Originally posted by Camaroz
GTRM,

I take your point on para's 2 and 3.

Forgot to add to the menu 'Menu' (FPR have slipped into the middle of the radar as "top line - switched on V8SC Teams" and were missed on my original scan!!!

Anyone else got a view on 2nd's? What about the euro's? TC tells us that the Northerners (equator relevant) can't get enough on Eurovision so why does HesSkapeRacingTeam, FormallyProfessionallyRacing and TripoverEight insist on bringing out top line drivers used to under two litre buzzboxes that have a 200 RPM usable revband, are over tyre'd (to much grip) with sequential gearboxes and introduce them to 5 Litre (600HP), 3500 RPM rev band, undertyr'd, H pattern (+2) Muscle Cars and undertake a total retraining program inside three days at Sannoun and Baffirst????? (Only for them to be then forgotten until next year when then yet again take away a possibility of a local driver (through a chain of events) to get a gig????)

Sorry to get emotional, BUT *******G WHY - CAN SOMEONE TELL ME!!!!

Cheers.

PS. I see that Trusty Wallet(s) is having a farewell year in season 2005! Good PONTIAC Punter that boy!!!

thats a hoot that post!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dirk]

At present there is a great depth of talent in Australian Motorsport. Just take a look at how competitive the Konica Minolta series was this year. Not to mention the line up in the Procar classes, Formula 3, Formula Ford, and Carrera Cup. There is simply too many drivers to choose from, so i guess it means if these drivers get a seat, make sure they use their opportunity wisely!