When For Giovanardi
Discussion
So Giovanardi wins another title yet struggles to get decent drives why ?
When he was in BTCC he seemed a popular guy even with the other drivers. He seems to win in any tin top series he is placed and at least by season two he becomes champion.
Surely a sponsors perfect driver: fast, consistent, approachable, likeable, a winner and a championship taker. What more do you need in tin tops.
So how does he not end up with a decent drive in WTCC or DTM or sports cars ?
When he was in BTCC he seemed a popular guy even with the other drivers. He seems to win in any tin top series he is placed and at least by season two he becomes champion.
Surely a sponsors perfect driver: fast, consistent, approachable, likeable, a winner and a championship taker. What more do you need in tin tops.
So how does he not end up with a decent drive in WTCC or DTM or sports cars ?
Lots of people are struggling for money. Turkington won the BTCC championship then couldn't get a drive for the next season. Touring cars are too expensive now, I heard that an S2000 car cost almost as much to run as the old super-tourers. I blame the manufacturers, they come in and spend spend spend so they can win pushing costs up for everyone else, then dump the sport the moment it becomes too expensive leaving a vacuum that sponsors/rich parents can't fill.
EDLT said:
I blame the manufacturers, they come in and spend spend spend so they can win pushing costs up for everyone else, then dump the sport the moment it becomes too expensive leaving a vacuum that sponsors/rich parents can't fill.
Without manufacturers it'd be club racing...Shame that Giovanardi doesn't have a top drive. He has a proven history, and would be right up there in WTCC or BTCC in a decent car I think.
egomeister said:
EDLT said:
I blame the manufacturers, they come in and spend spend spend so they can win pushing costs up for everyone else, then dump the sport the moment it becomes too expensive leaving a vacuum that sponsors/rich parents can't fill.
Without manufacturers it'd be club racing...Shame that Giovanardi doesn't have a top drive. He has a proven history, and would be right up there in WTCC or BTCC in a decent car I think.
I'd have thought an Italian driver who has done well in Europe would be able to find a seat in V8 Supercars.
Theer is a big italian motorsport contingent in Oz. He could do worse. Might polarise opinions with the locals somewhat though....
ETA: A bit of research (usually helps) reveals that he has done the odd guest drive in V8 Supercar endurance events and is set to do so again. Seems he wasnt able to be competitive though, so far.
Theer is a big italian motorsport contingent in Oz. He could do worse. Might polarise opinions with the locals somewhat though....
ETA: A bit of research (usually helps) reveals that he has done the odd guest drive in V8 Supercar endurance events and is set to do so again. Seems he wasnt able to be competitive though, so far.
Edited by Reardy Mister on Tuesday 26th July 13:36
He is going to do the Gold Coast 600 again http://www.goldcoast600.com.au/news/gavin-and-giov...
The problem is, except for a lucky few tintops doesn't really earn that much money, especially at national level. I can remember chatting to Paul O'Neill a few years ago when he was still racing GTs, he said it was easier to earn money in Brit GTs than BTCC - that was before the economy went pear shaped and we lost all the factory teams. He wanted to get back to BTCC because he loved racing in it he said.
Most BTCC drivers are earning cash by giving driver tuition working for driving schools or making appearances at events (e.g. VXR track days). Sheddon works for Knockhill circuit, Plato does the odd bit of TV and so on..
DTM is obviously a bit different, but it seems to be driven by having a "name" in the car (why else would you put up with DC's woeful performances ?) or people who are talented (Di Resta, Spengler etc).
He's probably better off heading into sportscar racing, if you get into it I think there a decent living to be made (Magnussen, Gavin, Davidson etc) but it does involve lots of travel.. maybe he's quite happy in semi retirement ?
The problem is, except for a lucky few tintops doesn't really earn that much money, especially at national level. I can remember chatting to Paul O'Neill a few years ago when he was still racing GTs, he said it was easier to earn money in Brit GTs than BTCC - that was before the economy went pear shaped and we lost all the factory teams. He wanted to get back to BTCC because he loved racing in it he said.
Most BTCC drivers are earning cash by giving driver tuition working for driving schools or making appearances at events (e.g. VXR track days). Sheddon works for Knockhill circuit, Plato does the odd bit of TV and so on..
DTM is obviously a bit different, but it seems to be driven by having a "name" in the car (why else would you put up with DC's woeful performances ?) or people who are talented (Di Resta, Spengler etc).
He's probably better off heading into sportscar racing, if you get into it I think there a decent living to be made (Magnussen, Gavin, Davidson etc) but it does involve lots of travel.. maybe he's quite happy in semi retirement ?
It really does astound me how drivers of this caliber can struggle to find a drive, while mediocre drivers in say the WTCC can keep on wobbling around at the back each year and yet still be able to find sponsorship!
Turkington is one example of a driver who should have no trouble getting funding, along with James Thompson who hasnt seemed to have a settled, top level drive for years!
Turkington is one example of a driver who should have no trouble getting funding, along with James Thompson who hasnt seemed to have a settled, top level drive for years!
Crafty_ said:
The problem is, except for a lucky few tintops doesn't really earn that much money, especially at national level. I can remember chatting to Paul O'Neill a few years ago when he was still racing GTs, he said it was easier to earn money in Brit GTs than BTCC - that was before the economy went pear shaped and we lost all the factory teams. He wanted to get back to BTCC because he loved racing in it he said.
Most BTCC drivers are earning cash by giving driver tuition working for driving schools or making appearances at events (e.g. VXR track days). Sheddon works for Knockhill circuit, Plato does the odd bit of TV and so on..
How do they make money in GTs when there is less TV/media coverage, are GTs so much less expensive to run that they can find more sponsorship than is needed to get a seat (so the driver keeps the extra money)?Most BTCC drivers are earning cash by giving driver tuition working for driving schools or making appearances at events (e.g. VXR track days). Sheddon works for Knockhill circuit, Plato does the odd bit of TV and so on..
EDLT said:
How do they make money in GTs when there is less TV/media coverage, are GTs so much less expensive to run that they can find more sponsorship than is needed to get a seat (so the driver keeps the extra money)?
I have no idea to be honest, thats just what he said. Rich owners paying people to drive their car ?tux said:
Rich people pay professional drivers to partner them, so that they are competitive but also so that the pro driver can give personal tuition.
yup, and even that doesn't pay that much even for the pro's winning races.The only way to make a bit of money in motorsport is to start with a lot, bar the odd exception. Too many young gun hot shots coming through with big cheque books and not enough maufacturer presence. Simples really.
Allyc85 said:
It really does astound me how drivers of this caliber can struggle to find a drive, while mediocre drivers in say the WTCC can keep on wobbling around at the back each year and yet still be able to find sponsorship!
Turkington is one example of a driver who should have no trouble getting funding, along with James Thompson who hasnt seemed to have a settled, top level drive for years!
Money money money - it matters not how good you are if you have the cash. Obviously if you are really good like Gio you might need less cash, but fundamentally it's about the cash. Thompson is obviously good, if he had the money he would be full time BTCC or WTCC- he hasn't so he doesn't. Simple. Rich less experienced people are driving those cars. Unfortunately, just racing life Turkington is one example of a driver who should have no trouble getting funding, along with James Thompson who hasnt seemed to have a settled, top level drive for years!
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