Robert Clarke OUT!

[G.]

http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/autoindustry/41371/


American Honda Motor Co., Inc. announced today that effective January 1, 2008, Robert Clarke, President of Honda Performance Development, Inc. (HPD), in Santa Clarita, California, will move to a new executive advisory role at HPD, a position he will hold until his retirement from Honda on June 30, 2008. Named as the new president of HPD (effective 1/1/08) is Erik Berkman, currently Executive Engineer, Honda R&D Americas, Inc., Raymond, Ohio.

[pchall]

http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/autoindustry/41371/

Hey, six months paid vacation before retirement. :rolleyes:

He should have been fired six years ago.

[Methanolandbrats]

>>>> 2006 and 2007 Indy 500 races by supplying the entire 33-car fields without a single engine failure – the only two such instances in the 91-year history of the event.>>>>

Quite an accomplishment, they built 66 de-tuned boat anchors and since there was no competition, they raced themselves.

The a-hole who replaces Clarke must know a lot about NASCAR. :gomer:

[KLang]

Wasn't he basically a figurehead anyway? I seem to recall him claiming 'we're not interested in the Earl' just before they jumped ship.

[NismoZ]

The new guy worked on the Accord Wagon project back in '91? So, how those things sellin' anyway?

[Wally]

Clarky's role in prolonging the misery we have in OWR is exceptional IMHO.....:shakehead .... cluck farke...

[nissan gtp]

good riddance

[Dirk Diggler]

He got kicked upstairs.:cool:

[pchall]

Interestingly, the new guy -- Erik Berkman -- comes from product development in Raymond, OH. He's been lead engineer on a number of new product roll outs. So, what's a guy with no apparent connection to motorsports supposed to do for Honda at HPD?

[Rosco]

As long as he was supplying engines in CART he was a good guy, when he left like all the top teams did, he became am enemy, what shot memories some have:D

[Methanolandbrats]

So, what's a guy with no apparent connection to motorsports supposed to do for Honda at HPD? They're going to NASCAR, so motorsports knowledge is'nt a prerequisite. Hell, look at their F1 program :laugh:

[greenie]

So, what's a guy with no apparent connection to motorsports supposed to do for Honda at HPD?

Hopefully he'll do what that the common man does - not spend a nickel on the IRL and/or point at them and laugh. :laugh:

This is epic good news in my opinion - Honda's saving the shitshow IRL and any chink in the armor is a positive. I doubt Tony George is getting any smarter, and maybe their first meeting (assuming the new guy bothers) will be an eye opener.

[nrc]

As long as he was supplying engines in CART he was a good guy, when he left like all the top teams did, he became am enemy, what shot memories some have:D

Not really. He became the enemy when he and Honda started feeling entitled to run the series.

[G.]

As long as he was supplying engines in CART he was a good guy, when he left like all the top teams did, he became am enemy, what shot memories some have:DSomebody's memory is certainly shot.:)

[pchall]

Somebody's memory is certainly shot.:)

:tony: :tony: :tony:

[Heeltoe]

"He became the enemy when he and Honda started feeling entitled to run the series."

Of course, that was after CART screwed Honda by cowering to Toyota in the POV controversy that came to a head at belle isle? or mid ohio? in 2001, and then later when the owners foolishly voted to give Toyota what they wanted in adopting the irl anchor of a motor (thankfully later reversed, but too late)

two of my favorite posts from the 7G days to which I still remember to this day were

"Honda wants to keep the turbos because they are honorable. Toyota = dishonorable"

which was later followed during the POV controversy by
Toyota = Politics and shady dealings
Honda = Results