That recent VERSUS FIL broadcast team story got me thinking about that series. Remember this news item from back in July, right about the time Paul Tracy and Tony George were holding a press conference to seal The Chrome Horn's one race deal with Vision Racing?
The 2009 Firestone Indy Lights Series will see the return of Forsythe Racing Inc. to the grid as the championship winning outfit announced today its intention to compete in the official feeder series to the Indy Racing League from next season onwards.I went back to the archives to see what your humble host thought at the time, and it turns out I was more than a bit skeptical.
Yes, very curious timing indeed given the shotgun marriage of bimergification left Mr Tracy with a long-term contract to a no longer existent Forsythe Racing team. I’m sure Tracy is absolutely thrilled that on the day he finalizes months of work for a one-race ride his old employer decides now would be the PERFECT time to reveal their intention to finally do something involving the Indy Racing League. Yes, Paul and Gerry are most certainly meeting at St Elmo Steak House for shrimp cocktail right now.So, let's start with the obvious question: anyone seen any Forsythe Racing FIL announcements since then? Anyone? No? Me neither. For those of you are curious as to the status of the team, I do have an update available for immediate release.
Then again this could just be posturing because it doesn’t take a great deal of resources to simply say an organization is intending to start an Indy Lights team next year. To the point, allow me to also take the opportunity to announce that My Name Is IRL has a similar “intention to compete” in the 2009 Indy Lights program – just don’t hold your breath on seeing us at too many events.
At this the "My Name Is IRL AutoMotorRacingSports Team" has no plans to field a racing team in the Firestone Indy Lights series in 2009. Thank you, and please drive safely.
As for Forsythe, their official updates have come with the sound of crickets chirping. I don't know what to tell you, but if you like reading fiction maybe you can find some at the Forsythe Racing site.
I'm pretty sure they don't have any cars to field a team...
correct me if I'm wrong.
they still employ people. that shop still has cars in the parking lot every day.
I believe I called bullsh...pucky... at the time too.
I've also heard that they are not fielding an Atlantics effort either.
They were also going to field either a Grand Am or ALMS team. There was a story about it Racer Magazine a while ago. One word Gerry, Karma.
Sarah Fisher revealed in an interview in January that Forsythe (specifically Tom Brown) will be helping her team with engineering support
A year ago, when the merger was in the works, it seemed like, of all the ChampCar movers and shakers, Mr. Forsythe was the most anti-merger. Many say this is why he didn't race in ICS last year, although I'm sure $$$ was a big factor, too.
Jerry, that would be very cool to see a road-racing-focused team like Forsythe helping out an oval tracker like Sarah.
I was in the shop a couple weeks ago, two Atlantic cars , no IRL cars, no FIL cars, not many employees, nobody doing any work on anything.
I can deal with it... as long as Gerry keeps his checks coming to young Conor Daly & his '09 Star Mazda efforts @ Andersen Racing