Paul Tracy... I just don't get it

Darrin Tebbe · Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2001 8:24 am Post subject: Paul Tracy... I just don't get it

Ok, so maybe this is just me, but who really cares which chassis Pual Tracy puts his name on? If we were talking Al Unser Jr, Michael Andretti, or even Alex Zanardi, this would be news. But we are talking about Paul Tracy! If we were talking about a Winston Cup driver endorsing a mini-cup car, this would be like Jimmy Spencer moving from brand X to brand Y. Both of these guys are boneheads, I would not be caught dead in ANYTHING that had Paul Tracy's name on it. I don't care that he may have started in karts, I don't care if he still races karts, I don't care if he actually built the stuff and it was the best. He is a bonehead and I would not want to be associated with it. I would rather run a Sam Hornish kart (if I were to run a "celebrity" product at all) since he displays skills, courtesy, and respect way beyond his years. Am I the only guy that feels this way? I don't undertand why Paul Tracy deciding to put his name on anything is news??????

Taking a BIG jump off my soapbox now...

DT

Glenn Holland · Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2001 8:41 am Post subject: Paul Tracy... I just don't get it

Darrin,

This isn't a 'defending Paul Tracy' post - he doesn't need that.

Obviously you're not a Paul Tracy fan. That's fine. And you're probably not the only person that has that opinion on him.

The reason why it's news is that the Paul Tracy line of karts have been quickly established as a significant player in the chassis market. Plus, their 'factory' team in the SKUSA ProMoto tour has performed well. These are newsworthy items for a karting media outlet.

The move is newsworthy, among other reasons, because Paul is associating himself with one of the biggest players in American karting, SSC.

As for your opinion on Paul, few would deny that he is one of the best pure driving talents of his generation. If he wasn't, Roger Penske, Carl Haas, and Barry Green wouldn't have spent the time and money to allow him to drive their cars. His involvement in karting has elevated the exposure karting receives here well beyond what it would have received if he hadn't. Make your own conclusions on the facts.

Glenn

Darrin Tebbe · Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2001 8:52 am Post subject: Paul Tracy... I just don't get it

Or, one could argue that he is an average driver who has always been in the best equipment. There is very little argument against his ability to run into or over everything but the pace car.

DT

John Valerio · Joined: 24 Jul 2001 Posts: 650

Glen,
I agree with you 100 percent. If I might add Karting needs to have more exposure like this from the very drivers that came from karting. Its big news and a huge benefit for all Karters whether they drive Pauls/SSC karts or someone else' chassis.

just my 2 cents!!!!

Mark Dismore Jr · Advertiser Joined: 21 Jul 2001 Posts: 1096

I don't think it matters how well a chassis works anymore, it's who has the best advertising. Perception is more powerful than reality.

Now Thats MY $.02 (but the exchange rate stinks!)

Mark

Jeff Mulvihill Jr · Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2001 9:22 am Post subject: Paul Tracy... I just don't get it

The fact that SOMEONE involved with the higher levels of racing is willing to spend his time and energy on giving something back to the sport and not going off and buying into a business that only benifits himself should be applauded! Regardless if you "like" Paul Tracy or you think he's a good driver, he's decided to put his name on something from his roots in racing AND, as AJ Allmendinger has pointed out in another post, he's trying to help the advancement of other drivers like he once was. Is there something in it for him? You bet, he's not doing this besause he's a great guy! There IS money in it AND he enjoys it! As a person who is new to karting and actually owns a "formerly known as Paul Tracy Kart", one reasons I even considered this chassis was because of the endorsement, it wasn't the reason I bought it, but it is a reason I considered it. And that is kinda the point of Tracy being involved... the hope that someone will buy it BECAUSE of the endorsement.

Has anyone here ever worn a pair of Michael Jordan's famous "Air Jordan's"? Have you EVER bought anything because the company sponsors racing? NASCAR is proving that the fan base is VERY loyal to it's sponsors... Paul's on the same kick, but in this case, he's also giving something back to the karting community too, we should welcome it, afterall, he does race for one of the very best teams in the business... maybe he can help YOU get the contacts needed to get to the top!!

Darren Swisher · Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2001 9:35 am Post subject: Paul Tracy... I just don't get it

As far as I know there are a few Pro Drivers that are giving to karting, and karting is better for it.

1. Paul Tracy
2. Brian Herta
3. Mark Dismore
4. Stefan Johansson
5. Jarno Truilli
6. Michael Schumacher
7. Roberto Moreno

I am sure I missed a few.

Wouldn'e it be great of more became involved!!

Darren

[ August 08, 2001: Message edited by: Darren Swisher ]

Larry Ferguson

quote:
Originally posted by Darrin Tebbe:
Or, one could argue that he is an average driver who has always been in the best equipment. There is very little argument against his ability to run into or over everything but the pace car.

DT

Maybe you should look a little deeper into his early years! Like when he was just starting out in open wheeled cars. He started out in less than top notch equipment. Only when he was able to win, did he get to play in the good stuff.

Larry

[ August 08, 2001: Message edited by: Jeff Franz ]

Darren Swisher

Larry is that you talking or the morphine?

Darren

[ August 08, 2001: Message edited by: Darren Swisher ]

Ronnie Swyers · Joined: 23 Jul 2001 Posts: 95

Hey Darrin...
Tell me when the last time a Driver won in Champ Car on second rate equipment. Equipment always plays a big role in it, but someone has to tell it what to do. "In the wall Paul" may have a bad rap for hitting other cars and immovable objects, but he is still one of the best out there. He is there, and we are here. How many Winston Cup drivers own other teams within NASCAR...most of them, and that's why NASCAR is where it is and open wheel racing is not. They are giving back to the sport. Two thumbs up to "Paul in the wall"! But business is still business, if he has to make a change...then make a change and go on.
Ronnie Swyers www.RSwyers.com

bird · Joined: 17 Jul 2001 Posts: 147

quote:
1. Paul Tracy
2. Brian Herta
3. Mark Dismore
4. Stefan Johansson
5. Jarno Trulli
6. Michael Schumacher
7. Roberto Moreno

I am sure I missed a few.

Jos Verstappen and his dad are the Dutch Kosmic importers and they have a team, Mark Blundell was the president of our local track until he went to America...

I've got to admit, I thought Tracy was a muppet back when I used to watch Indycars when Mansell was in it, but setting up a decent manufacturer and team raises him up in my estimation.

SHAYNE SHIPLEY · Joined: 02 Aug 2001 Posts: 1518

quote:
Originally posted by Glenn Holland:
Darrin,
Glenn

i agree with you glenn,this guy doesnt need to be bashing paul because of his dislikes of him. paul has helped karting progress in the right direction,lets concentrate on something else.

Darin Martinez-Stahl · Joined: 05 Aug 2001 Posts: 226 Location: Sacramento

News is news. Sorry Mr.Tebbe that you take your judgement of individuals so harshly. I myself am not a Tracy fan , but I do not hate the man. He is giving back to the sport in some way, which is better than what some of the Pin-Headed owners in CART do. It is drivers like the ones above that will be pushing the doors open further for those waiting to step up in the future. I hope that other drivers step up and endorse karting teams like some of the F1& F3 drivers and owners do. We should try to encourage this as much as possible. Those who wish to re-invest in this sport should not be bashed. If you do not like them leave it at that. It does not need to be brought here.

Henrik Thun Rasmussen · Joined: 26 Jul 2001 Posts: 44 Location: columbia, Maryland

what has paul tracey done for the sport other than messing up image with his latest buisness move. and dose he smoke kools

Tim Blaney · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 1127

Henrik, that comment was completely uncalled for. What has Tracy done? Let's see, in addtion to helping the guys who currently drive for him take steps toward achieving their dream of racing professionaly, he has brought quite a bit of media attention to the sport of shifter kart racing.

Since Paul Tracy Karting was announced, I have seen at least two stories on either the team as a business, or the drivers on RPM2Nite on ESPN2. Prior to this I cannot remember anything being mentioned on the show about karting.

I've seen multiple articles on the business in non-karting magazines. Evidently, this is not enough for some of you.

I fail to see how making what he sees as a sound business decision "messes up" (to paraphrase you) the "image" (your word) of karting.

Instead of criticize Tracy, perhaps we should thank him for putting his money into the sport. Contrary to what some of you have expressed here, he owes karting nothing. IMO, he owes only this:

He owes Barry Green and those associated with TKG his total effort every time he sits in the race car.

He also owes himself and his family the best opportunities to make a good living. That's it.

Everything else he does is extra. Anyone who has seen him at a kart track can tell he is doing this because he enjoys being at the track. As others have pointed out, if he wanted a good return on investment, he would have look somewhere other than karting.

By helping the sport, by opening some doors to a few young racers he is giving back and he should be applauded for that, not taken to task.

I ask you Henrik, have YOU done this much for the sport?

[ August 08, 2001: Message edited by: Tim Blaney ]