Tony George's Victory Almost Complete?

[CarreraS2]

Who'da thunk it would have come to this?

http://www.sportsline.com/autoracing/story/7030278

[motion]

Arrghhhhhh..... I don't think it'll happen, Brian. The judge will see right through the fact that the Idiot Grandson is just trying to close down CART/OWRS. Its in the best interest of everyone involved... the series, the drivers, the tracks with contracts, etc to keep the series going. I predict that OWRS will have to pony up more money, say around $20m, but the series will remain alive!

[cegerer]

The other side of the story:

http://speedtv.com/articles/auto/champcar/9503/

[Reg]

I've not read through the two links posted above, but I think it is getting VERY nasty after reading this:

http://www.tsn.ca/auto_racing/news_story.asp?ID=69718&hubName=auto_racing

Seems that the Grand Prix of Long Beach does not like CART anymore. Is that not where Chris Pook is from? Is he now defected to the IRL?

[motion]

Pook was the owner of the LBGP event. He stepped down as CART's intermim CEO about a month ago. My assumption is that he is no longer involved with the LBGP. But, it would be interesting to know why they are so anti-OWRS now.

Oh, and one more thing... FTG!!!!

[Reg]

I think it may have got nasty with LBGP because Toyota was a long time event sponsor, who now has no interest in CART.

[Reg]

Check that, the LBGP have withdrawn their protest against OWRS, as they have given them the information that they were looking for.

It's D DAY today at 9:30am Indy time.

[trj911]

I'll let you know when the news hits here in Indy.

[motion]

Court is in recess now... both sides have been asked by the judge to restructure their offers...

[motion]

"....the parent company of CART gave a loan of $63 million to the operating company that is being bankrupted._ The parent company is willing to forfeit that loan if OWRS gets the bid, but not if the IRL gets the bid._ Joe Heitzler, representing Grand (Mexico races) filed a complaint stating they are going to come after the IRL for large sums of money if they win the bid. Other claims if the IRL wins the bid are estimated at $150 million from the promoters and another $10 to $30 million for other broken contracts. OWRS has put up a $500,000 indemnity to offset the 88 Corp Fontana claim._ OWRS offered to up their bid to make all creditors whole, but the judge said not yet._ Bidding will begin after the recess....."

[trj911]

Richard- Good info, Where are you getting your news? The trial is going on 2 blocks from me and all is silent here.

[motion]

crapwagon.com... a site dedicated to rabid CART fans. I suspect that many of them are members of the motoring press.

[trj911]

It figures, I've been following the IRL sites!

[motion]

Here's an inside look at the courtoom!!

http://www.crapwagon.com/court.jpg

[trj911]

LMAO!!!

[motion]

4:24 Update: Members of the creditors committee are getting badgered something awful by TG's lawyers, but are holding fast. It appears that the judge is letting TG control the afternoon so that will be no grounds for an appeal. Funny story: Robin Miller left his seat for a moment, TG on seeing the empty chair quickly sat down in it. Robin came back, made eye contact with TG,causing him to give said seat back to Mr. Miller. Snickers were heard around the courtroom.



3:45 Update: All creditors are being put on the stand, one at a time. It looks good for OWRS at this point, but we still may have another hour to go. Hopefully, this won't go to day two.



3:29 Update: Still no news. TG has taken off his winter ware and come back to the bargaining table.



3:07 Update: It has been reported that TG has put his coat and hat on and may be preparing to leave. Nothing yet on a decision.

[motion]

CART WINS!!!!

http://www.indystar.com/articles/3/115570-5723-092.html

[Owain]

FTG! That guy is some kinda assclown. My favourite quote from him over the last few days, referring to the OWRS group:

"None of these guys has as much appreciation for open-wheel racing as I have. Their collective appreciation does not equal mine."

If anyone has done more than TG to ruin open-wheel racing in North America I don't know who that would be. Even bidding on the CART assets; he has no use for the Ford engine contract which was one of the assets he wanted, as those engines don't conform to the IRL engine spec. He just didn't want them going to someone else who might have used them to restart the series. He may even have known he had no chance of winning, he just wanted to push up the price that OWRS had to pay.

Anyways, I'm glad that step is over with. Bring on the racing!

[motion]

FTG FTG FTG FTG FTG FTG FTG FTG FTG FTG FTG FTG FTG FTG FTG FTG FTG FTG FTG is right

[trj911]

Long live CART! Let's race!