924Board.org

Neil924 · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 4225 Location: Canada

An engine blowing is like a tire blowing. Your whole set of engines for the weekend not working is like your whole set of tires not working.

Neil924 · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 4225 Location: Canada

And in a multibillion dollar industry like F1 we will not be able to see every rule and contract that has ever been signed.

Mike924 · Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 2601 Location: IoW UK

You're right, Neil.

Having read Article 131, the Michelin teams are in clear breach of the 'rules' and will no doubt be punished for it.

Michelin themselves obviously can't differentiate between distinct parts of their anatomy and I hope it's a long time before their tyre sales in the US and elsewhere recover.

The worst thing the Michelin teams are 'guilty' of is combining forces and trying to force FIA's hand with brinkmanship tactics. The FIA, recognising this, were equally (more, ultimately!) intransigent.

My real point was that this sort of political wrangling (it's happened numerous times before and, I'm sure, won't be the last time, unfortunately) it becoming tiresome for the fans and it is this that is truly damaging to F1's image around the world, irrespective of the technical right and wrongs.
_________________
1985 Porsche 924 'Lux', Kalahari Beige (my ex)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe, Midnight Blue, 6 spd

'There is no substitute for a little grease under your fingernails.' - Chrenan, 924board.org

Mike924 · Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 2601 Location: IoW UK

You're right, Neil.

Having read Article 131, the Michelin teams are in clear breach of the 'rules' and will no doubt be punished for it.

Michelin themselves obviously can't differentiate between distinct parts of their anatomy and I hope it's a long time before their tyre sales in the US and elsewhere recover.

The worst thing the Michelin teams are 'guilty' of is combining forces and trying to force FIA's hand with brinkmanship tactics. The FIA, recognising this, were equally (more, ultimately!) intransigent.

My real point was that this sort of political wrangling (it's happened numerous times before and, I'm sure, won't be the last time, unfortunately) it becoming tiresome for the fans and it is this that is truly damaging to F1's image around the world, irrespective of the technical right and wrongs.
_________________
1985 Porsche 924 'Lux', Kalahari Beige (my ex)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe, Midnight Blue, 6 spd

'There is no substitute for a little grease under your fingernails.' - Chrenan, 924board.org

Mike924 · Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 2601 Location: IoW UK

Oops! Sorry about that.

I don't know why the last message got posted twice.

_________________
1985 Porsche 924 'Lux', Kalahari Beige (my ex)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe, Midnight Blue, 6 spd

'There is no substitute for a little grease under your fingernails.' - Chrenan, 924board.org

Khal · Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 9:02 am Post subject:

I see Michelin has admitted fault in the U.S. Grand Prix fiasco and has offered refunds to ticket holders. Good on 'em...
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'80 924 Turbo

Khal · Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 9:07 am Post subject:

From the Michelin statement:

"We would also like to take this opportunity to underline the fact that it is unacceptable that our partner teams have been accused by the FIA of having boycotted the Indianapolis Grand Prix. The reality is that together, Michelin and its partners have done everything possible to assure that the race could take place in total safety."

From Edouard Michelin:

"I feel necessary to let you know how discontented I was of both the nature of your contentions - which are based on mere allegations - and the suspicious and inappropriate tone employed," said Michelin.

"Such disclosure, which contains erroneous allegations, may have damaging consequences on Michelin's reputation."

Michelin contended that his company had acted in the spirit of safety and taken a brave step by publicly acknowledging its part in the whole affair.

"Will you at least recognise publicly that we have taken a courageous, honest and transparent stance for the safety of the pilots?" he challenged Mosley.

"I hope you will be fair enough to acknowledge that Michelin, with its seven partner teams, IMS (Indianapolis Motor Speedway), FOM (Formula One Management) and two other teams, did the maximum to preserve a true and safe race by proposing a very serious and pragmatic alternative."

"This is all the opposite of a boycott," he added.
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'80 924 Turbo

numbbers · Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 9:36 am Post subject:

Well, I didn't see anything in/on the local media about a refund. But, if they are doing it, then all is well.
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1980 924 Turbo

Paul · Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 11:51 am Post subject:

So we get $85 back for the race day ticket and grandstand seat?

Khal · Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 11:57 am Post subject:

Can't say I know the details... I only read the press release in the link above.

Probably best to contact Michelin HQ in your State or the U.S. head office.
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'80 924 Turbo

Neil924 · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 4225 Location: Canada

Mike924 · Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 2601 Location: IoW UK

924zombie · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 52 Location: cold old UK

I don`t know what coverage you get of the race in your various parts of the world,but here in the uk,due to Martin Brundle being an ex driver he gets to go pretty much anywhere,up untill about 10 minutes before the parade lap,no drivers had any idea what was happening. 9 of the 10 teams had agreed to the chicane being built,all the michelin shod teams had agreed to start from behind the bridgestone runners,they were prepared to accept the race as a non-championship race,basically race for no points,but at least still put on a full race for the people that really matter,the money paying fans,but Max Mosely still said no On the parade lap Coulthards radio was put live,he was asking if he could race,he wanted the choice but he was over-ruled by the team on grounds of his safety.
Michelin messed up,but not half as much as the FIA,what would people rather have,a safe race,for both drivers and fans,or no race,which the FIA forced upon the USA money paying fans,it was a day when common sense lost out to politic back-stabbing. But there could be hope................

http://www.petitiononline.com/FIAMaxM/petition.html

Khal · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 1:49 pm Post subject:

Un-****ing believable!

They're found guilty on the most airy-fairy of the charges and the one that they definitely guilty of... they're found NOT GUILTY!

If you ever needed proof that the wrong blokes are in charge...

My thoughts exactly.
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'80 924 Turbo

Mike924 · Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 2601 Location: IoW UK

If I'd been the judge at the hearing my verdict would have been:

not being in possession of suitable tyres for the event:
F1 Teams: not guilty
Michelin: guilty as charged

wrongfully refusing to allow their cars to start the race:
F1 Teams: not guilty

not following the proper procedure for pulling out of a race:
F1 Teams: guilty

bringing the sport into disrepute:
Michelin: guilty (for not knowing how to make tyres that work. I mean, they've only had like about 120 years to learn the craft!)
F1 Teams: guilty (for trying to hold FIA to ransom)
Max Mosely (yes!): guilty (for not allowing a sensible compromise)
Bernie Ecclestone: guilty (for pretending to wash his hands of the matter, but really pulling the strings in the background).

So, let's put the power politics aside and get on with the job in hand: providing entertaining racing for the fans.
_________________
1985 Porsche 924 'Lux', Kalahari Beige (my ex)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe, Midnight Blue, 6 spd

'There is no substitute for a little grease under your fingernails.' - Chrenan, 924board.org