Forget what you have heard about ride-buying, ride-auctioning is the wave of the future. Check this eBay listing .
ATTENTION MOTOR ENTHUSIASTS AND MARKETING STRATEGISTS!!! This is a once in a lifetime offer to own an Indianapolis 500 race car driven by motorsports hall of famer Jeff Ward. IMS llc would like to offer the 2008 Indianapolis 500 as an international marketing opportunity for you or your company at a fraction of the price it would normally cost to be involved. This is a special ONE TIME APPEARANCE by Jeff Ward and by far the most visible open wheel race of the season. This opportunity would be similar to backing a NASCAR for the Daytona 500 race only or advertising in the Superbowl as opposed to the entire NFL season.Umm, excuse me while I scratch my head in confusion. It appears you get to back the driver, but there's no way you would get to "KEEP THE CAR" he runs this year. Well, maybe you could retain the Dallara chassis, but not leased Honda motor (which by the way is a V8 and not a "V12"). That's not how Honda rolls.
Our driver Jeff Ward has finished top three 3x's in his career... almost winning it his last year and being Rookie of the Year previously. Currently, new circumstances have enabled Jeff's team to be very competitive. There is a very good chance Jeff will win the race this year.
In addition, you or your company will receive a VIP hospitality suite. Pick what you would like here and let us know http://www.imshospitality.com/500/ : Along with the VIP experience you will also receive 600 tickets to the race, a tour of the paddock to meet and greet the drivers, and KEEP THE CAR!!! Don't let this opportunity pass by... imagine an actual V12 engine Indy Car in your driveway painted to your specifications.... or how about taking it for a spin with potential clients at the local track? The marketing capabilities are endless.. Please Message for any additional information.
Perhaps the keeper car of which they speak is the G-Force/Oldsmobile pictured here that Ward drove to a 24th place finish in 2001, and by the way Jeff actually finished in the Top Three twice, not three times. He did make the Top Five three times though ('97, '99, '00) which is none too shabby for a motocross racer. But let's not let facts get in the way of an excitingly confusing marketing strategy, OK?
Buy It Now price is US $1,200,000.00 - just be sure to ask for clarity on what is included for that gracious sum. Especially that part about a "very good chance" to win.
UPDATE: Well, after a few hours the auction has been removed. Guess we'll have to spend that money on getting a life.
That's a bit beyond my credit limit on pay pal...
better wait until i win the powerball
If I had $1.2 million that I was willing to spend on an IndyCar program, I'm take it to an existing team first, before buying into a one-off at Indy. No disrespect to Jeff Ward, I just think having my name on the side of Buddy Rice's car sounds cooler.
There is a very good chance Jeff will win the race this year.
Not to slag on Jeff Ward, but there's a very good chance Milka Dunno will win the 2008 Indianapolis 500 too. That is, IF she makes the field and IF every other car ahead of her in the line up hits the wall or has mechanical problems.
Furthermore:
and KEEP THE CAR!!! Don't let this opportunity pass by... imagine an actual V12 engine Indy Car in your driveway painted to your specifications.... or how about taking it for a spin with potential clients at the local track? The marketing capabilities are endless.
Am I the only one thinking there may be a problem giving an 800+ HP, 230+ MPH race car to someone who doesn't have a competition license and telling them "Go ahead, take 'er for a spin"? This may be the auto racing equivalent of handing a monkey dynamite and matches: nothing good can come of it.
I know teams need to cut through the clutter and get noticed to get $$$$$$$$ to run, but an e-bay listing might not work out the way they planned.
Haha, it was removed.
I wish it was real :-(
Screw that! Pair it with the TEAM money and drive yourself. If Marty can then so can I!
Man, that was an ugly chassis! I had forgotten how much I didn't like them.
Did anyone happen to notice what the ebay user name was or the name of the company listed (if one was given) as being behind selling the sponsorship package?
There have been several auctions for sponsorship packages for NASCAR teams on eBay and they are all the same psycho chick with absolutely NO ties to the sport whatsoever.
She puts 'em up, the teams she "represents" find out and contact eBay and she gets pulled. She always comes back, though, like a cock-a-roach.
"I bury those cock-a-roaches!!"
-Tony Montana