I am glad to see that Phil Geibler will get another shot at Indy, though I gather this means Jacques Lazier is now without a ride. Also, I am curious if the Zimmerman involved is the same Zimmerman who used to own a team back in the early days of the IRL. Does anyone know?
IRL... Home of the BEST RACING on the planet!
Here's the IRL story:
Majority ownership of Playa Del Racing has been purchased by former Indiana Boxing Commissioner William T. Kelsey and Arizona businessman Eric Zimmerman and will be known as American Dream Motorsports.
American Dream Motorsports will attempt to qualify for the 92nd Indianapolis 500 with 2007 Chase Rookie of the Year Phil Giebler behind the wheel of the No.21 Honda-powered Panoz.
Former Playa Del Racing co-owner Susan Schafer will oversee American Dream Motorsports' Firestone Indy Lights program.
"It's an honor to be a part of the Indy Racing League under the new format," said Zimmerman, an Indianapolis native. "I truly value my new relationship with Susan Schafer."
Giebler qualified 33rd in 2007 and finished 29th after being involved in a single-car accident on Lap 106.
"It's hard to put into words what it means to return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indy 500," Giebler said. "I had a huge learning curve in my rookie run last year, but I plan on this being a much better year. To say Indy is all I've thought about for the last 12 months would be an understatement."
Al Unser III will continue to drive the American Dream Motorsports Firestone Indy Lights No. 21 entry for the remainder of the season.
"I'm extremely excited to start this new relationship with Eric and American Dream Motorsports," said Unser, who is ninth in the Firestone Indy Lights points championship. "This is a great time to be in open-wheel racing, and I'm looking forward to continuing our hunt for the 2008 Firestone Indy Lights championship."
Kelsey owns GB Management Company, a real-estate management and acquisitions company, in Indianapolis. Zimmerman and wife Penny have owned restaurants for more than 30 years. American Dream Motorsports will be headquartered in Indianapolis.
With Giebler in the #21 and assuming Beck/Agajanian does run - that means we
have 37 car/driver combinations.
Eric and Penny Zimmerman used to own Zali Racing who ran Billy Roe in a painfully slow car in 2001.Originally Posted by irlracingfan
I found a photo of the Zali car which was recently posted in the "Fans Photo" section of the Indycar site. I can't seem to post it here.
[img]file:///C:/Users/Patrick/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.jpg
I met Eric years ago and thought it may be the same person. I wish them well. It would be good if this could eventually become a full-time effort.
Though others may not share my opinion, I'd like to see 33 cars at EVERY IndyCar race... as that is IndyCar racing... the 33 fastest cars! Bringing in new owners, new teams, etc. is healthy and necessary for growth.
IRL... Home of the BEST RACING on the planet!
I recall that they ran most of the season without any telemetry because they couldn't afford to buy a telemetry system.
Eric used to be the owner of Zali Racing as noted above. He was basically run out of the State of Nevada for not paying a lot of people who he owed money to. There are still a number of people with liens on his assets, and it will be interesting to see how that plays out if he is actually an "owner" in this new effort.
I remember when Antonio Ferrari was an owner and the sheriff came to padlock his garage at IMS, IIRC they were forewarned, and a lot of his "assets" were scattered into several other garages in the garage area.
It's always been about the Indy 500!
I realize I have the right to remain silent, but don't have the ability or enough common sense to do so.:rolleyes:
Great News!
With 37 cars, what is the chance for a single car panoz team to make the field?
I would say slim to none.
"There is nothing more satisfying than nailing a lap on a road course in an Indy car" Danica Patrick
That Panoz almost won the "500" last year. Giebler can get that car up to speed. I can see several of the former Champ Car teams not making the field this year. Giebler should be able to run faster then several of them. IMO
I wish the sheriffs would have done that after the 6 car USGP. That would have been sweet!I remember when Antonio Ferrari was an owner and the sheriff came to padlock his garage at IMS, IIRC they were forewarned, and a lot of his "assets" were scattered into several other garages in the garage area.
"The man of great wealth owes a particular obligation to the state because he derives special advantages from the mere existence of government." - Teddy Roosevelt
That was another "Ferrari."
It's always been about the Indy 500!
I realize I have the right to remain silent, but don't have the ability or enough common sense to do so.:rolleyes:
Almost won, oh well, as MOST of us have been saying the last two weeks, "a win is a win."
No Panoz will gualify this year without some serious weather issues on Bump Day, the team better find a Dallara.
It's always been about the Indy 500!
I realize I have the right to remain silent, but don't have the ability or enough common sense to do so.:rolleyes:
Great News. It will be challenging to make the race, but I hope they make the show. Does Jacques Lazier have money? Maybe he ends up in another ride.
Lazier, money, Vail, CO, Tivoli Lodge, probably enough, but considering Jaques Indy 500 record/results, I would rather have him in a car than PJ, Yasukawa, Barron or Hearn.
It's always been about the Indy 500!
I realize I have the right to remain silent, but don't have the ability or enough common sense to do so.:rolleyes:
What you have against Barron? He has had two very good runs in the "500". Barron would have won in 2002 if Tomas didnt crash in turn four.
Having trouble following this run-on sentence.
Nothing, I just said "I would rather have Jaques in a car." Barron is an IndyCar winner too, I just like him at Indy.
And Morris, I guess the Lazier family has the funds, he should be a good pick without that. You asked if he had money, I said probably. You can put someone in a car with funds and he could wad it up in a ball in a 2nd-week "Q" run like Giebler did last year. After he crashed last year there were people working all night on that car that didn't even have their car in the race yet.
Last edited by Mack Too; 05-03-2008 at 05:20 PM.
It's always been about the Indy 500!
I realize I have the right to remain silent, but don't have the ability or enough common sense to do so.:rolleyes:
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