devilmaster
03-16-05, 06:13 PM
http://www.tsn.ca/auto_racing/news_story.asp?ID=118580&hubName=auto_racing
Gentilozzi sets the record straight
Linda Lynch, Special to TSN.ca
3/16/2005
Alex Tagliani's release from Rocketsports Racing was simply a reflection of the financial realities of motorsport today, according to team owner Paul Gentilozzi.
In an exclusive interview with Gentilozzi for TSN.ca, Champ Car photojournalist Linda Lynch discovered that Tagliani's release had everything to do with the harsh reality of escalating costs in motorsports and a drivers ability to bring sponsorship dollars to the table.
"Alex and I knew last October 1 that we basically had to find a commercial partner to fund his drive for the upcoming season," Gentilozzi tells Lynch, who has covered the Champ Car series the past two years.
"We both worked very hard throughout November, December and January to find that support. In January we had three good sized deals on the table that provided that commercial support to his ride... a ride that both he and I very much wanted. Unfortunately those deals fell through."
Tagliani's spot on the team will likely be taken by former F1 test driver Timo Glock, who brings with him a reported $4-million sponsorship package. The "paid drive" approach is nothing new in motorsports and is commonplace in Formula 1 these days.
While Tagliani failed to find the necessary sponsorship dollars to secure a ride with Rocketsports, Gentilozzi - one of three series co-owners - says he's committed to seeing that Tagliani will race in the series in 2005.
"We have believed so much in each other from the beginning and it was very tough to have to face the fact that as of March 1st no substantial commercial partners were there to make his ride with Rocketsports possible," explained Gentilozzi. "When we realized the team could not produce the ride or sponsorship needed for Alex, we decided that we would do something else to make sure he had a ride to compete in the series."
"No damage has been done to our relationship. I look upon Alex as a son and a partner. I am somewhat amused that a story that is not factual is viewed to be credible. The columnist in question never spoke to Alex or to me. In fact, Alex told me that he never spoke to the guy and the story was based on some transcript of a radio interview."
Tagliani's racing future has been linked to HVM, formerly Herdez Competition, Walker Racing and Forsythe Racing.
Steve
Gentilozzi sets the record straight
Linda Lynch, Special to TSN.ca
3/16/2005
Alex Tagliani's release from Rocketsports Racing was simply a reflection of the financial realities of motorsport today, according to team owner Paul Gentilozzi.
In an exclusive interview with Gentilozzi for TSN.ca, Champ Car photojournalist Linda Lynch discovered that Tagliani's release had everything to do with the harsh reality of escalating costs in motorsports and a drivers ability to bring sponsorship dollars to the table.
"Alex and I knew last October 1 that we basically had to find a commercial partner to fund his drive for the upcoming season," Gentilozzi tells Lynch, who has covered the Champ Car series the past two years.
"We both worked very hard throughout November, December and January to find that support. In January we had three good sized deals on the table that provided that commercial support to his ride... a ride that both he and I very much wanted. Unfortunately those deals fell through."
Tagliani's spot on the team will likely be taken by former F1 test driver Timo Glock, who brings with him a reported $4-million sponsorship package. The "paid drive" approach is nothing new in motorsports and is commonplace in Formula 1 these days.
While Tagliani failed to find the necessary sponsorship dollars to secure a ride with Rocketsports, Gentilozzi - one of three series co-owners - says he's committed to seeing that Tagliani will race in the series in 2005.
"We have believed so much in each other from the beginning and it was very tough to have to face the fact that as of March 1st no substantial commercial partners were there to make his ride with Rocketsports possible," explained Gentilozzi. "When we realized the team could not produce the ride or sponsorship needed for Alex, we decided that we would do something else to make sure he had a ride to compete in the series."
"No damage has been done to our relationship. I look upon Alex as a son and a partner. I am somewhat amused that a story that is not factual is viewed to be credible. The columnist in question never spoke to Alex or to me. In fact, Alex told me that he never spoke to the guy and the story was based on some transcript of a radio interview."
Tagliani's racing future has been linked to HVM, formerly Herdez Competition, Walker Racing and Forsythe Racing.
Steve