Yesterday whilst searchin’ the internetzz I decided to log into my Trackside Online (TSO) account which I finally subscribed to late last year after Mr. Innucci had recommended I do so years ago, to see if there was any news upon Ye Mayor ‘O Hinchtown’s (James Hinchcliffe) 10-place grid penalty for Long Beach after having to replace his Chevy engine after testing at Sonoma. (As this change occurred prior to meeting the League’s 1,850 mileage rule...)
Although I didn’t find anything on that, what did catch my eye was the story titled: Lotus Cars: Never let the facts get in the way of a good story....
Hmm? What’s that all about? To which I was somewhat taken aback over the story, which was very cleverly written, although I would like to point out that TSO was in NO way responsible for the story and simply posting the Press Release sent to them by Group Lotus, which supposedly was intended to set the facts straight about all of the negativity currently hounding them on the world wide web.
And although I enjoyed the story simply for its humour - what I found very clear about it was that it appeared to be a thinly guised attack towards Tony Fernandes, Mike Gascoyne and Joe Saward - of which I do not know these three individuals personally, albeit I’d like to attend an Evening with Joe in Austin, Texas this year, as I’m a huge fan of Joe’s, even if he takes many a Pot-shot at us out here in Bloggerland by calling us Cut ‘N Paster’s, etc. which leads me to delight in harkening him as a Grizzled Journo...
Nevertheless Joe Saward’s Grand Prix Blog has been part of the No Fenders blogroll for several years now - and in NO way do I receive anything in lieu of that, thus I found Group Lotuses press release which seemed to spread like wildfire across Al gore’s invention, le internet - that it must be a very slow news day, eh?
Although the Group Lotus PR-speak made me think of it as being sorta like Bahrain’s attempts at Damage Control right now leading up to the forthcoming Grand Prix, as I’ve read one story noting how Jean Todt and the FIA will most certainly try a Charm Offensive towards the F1 Constructors team bosses this weekend in Shanghai...
As it seems to me that Group Lotus has bigger problems then launching communicates spouting off against its chief rivals on the Formula 1 grid - as they seem to be harbouring a grudge against Caterham, not to mention spitting in the face of a lone journalist in the F1 media centre.
Really Group Lotus? You’re gonna go down this route; as I’d say its very hard to compare a three year old F1 startup vs. three decades plus competitor; a four times world championship winning team that’s in its fourth major ownership guise (Toleman, Benetton, Renault, Lotus-Renault) and your doing nothing more than paying several million pounds to be its title sponsor...
Whilst it seems even more insidious to take pot shots at a longtime F1 Journalist whom has always seemed above board to Mwah. As you can read Joe Saward’s response to Group Lotuses accusations in;
Meanwhile, might I suggest that the lads at Group Lotus get down to serious business and try selling some cars in order to pay for all of its bloated motorsports marketing budget - not to mention sending some more cash Engine Developments Ltd way in order to boost the ‘Luddi IndyCar ‘lumps performance...
And to think just yesterday I was ponderin’ purchasing a Dragon Racing cap at Indianapolis this May - but think I’ll just stick to my plans to purchase some Caterham gear instead!