Castrol ditches JFR after 30 years - time to call it a day?
Discussion
So in the space of one week, JFR has lost not only the manufacturer their team has been built around since '98, now they have lost their longest running sponsor too: http://blogs.hotrod.com/john-force-losing-castrol-...
I've been out of the loop re. the NHRA for a couple of years now, so tell me - are things really that bad for team Force? Are they underperforming so badly that even their most loyal sponsors have said enough is enough? Or is it simply a case of Castrol deciding to have a purge and start their motorsport PR again from scratch? I cant see this being a particularly popular move with a lot of fans.
What of the suggestion that The Boss should hang up his helmet and run the NHRA? From what I have seen and heard over the years, the two entities havent exactly seen eye to eye over the years (traction control accusations, chromoly chassis (that one came back to bite JFR!), arguments over the quarter mile/330ft distance changes), so would such a career change work or would it blow up in everyone's faces?
I've been out of the loop re. the NHRA for a couple of years now, so tell me - are things really that bad for team Force? Are they underperforming so badly that even their most loyal sponsors have said enough is enough? Or is it simply a case of Castrol deciding to have a purge and start their motorsport PR again from scratch? I cant see this being a particularly popular move with a lot of fans.
What of the suggestion that The Boss should hang up his helmet and run the NHRA? From what I have seen and heard over the years, the two entities havent exactly seen eye to eye over the years (traction control accusations, chromoly chassis (that one came back to bite JFR!), arguments over the quarter mile/330ft distance changes), so would such a career change work or would it blow up in everyone's faces?
JFR will continue on from this I imagine. He might have to scale back some more like he already has.
He has already said he is happy to drive a pointy car if sponsorship dictates so I don't think it's time for him to throw it all in yet.
As for him running the NHRA, will never happen.
He has already said he is happy to drive a pointy car if sponsorship dictates so I don't think it's time for him to throw it all in yet.
As for him running the NHRA, will never happen.
airbrakes said:
the two entities havent exactly seen eye to eye over the years (traction control accusations
It wasn't the NHRA accusing him of running it, they just investigated after a complaint.airbrakes said:
chromoly chassis (that one came back to bite JFR!), arguments over the quarter mile/330ft distance changes)
Again, not just his battle was it, he was taking advice from his chassis builder regarding the treated tubing. I think we have JFR and Ford to thank for investing in safety. Look at what happens when the NHRA make changes without consultation, the double tether system on the FC's has been awful and Johnny Gray was lucky to get away unscathed the other week.A pointy car? As in a top fueller? That would most certainly be odd seeing him in one after so many years of FC. I gather they are quite different to drive as well? Mind you, if Kenny could make the transition (and back again) I'm sure John can.
I wonder if they saw this coming? Could explain why Brittany went into TF instead of joining everyone else in FC, to let the team gain knowledge and experience of running in that class (or was that simply because the NHRA didnt want one team dominating the grid?)
What is the double tether system, and how does it work? I've not heard of this latest change, how did it interfere in Gray's accident?
I wonder if they saw this coming? Could explain why Brittany went into TF instead of joining everyone else in FC, to let the team gain knowledge and experience of running in that class (or was that simply because the NHRA didnt want one team dominating the grid?)
Flying Toilet said:
I think we have JFR and Ford to thank for investing in safety. Look at what happens when the NHRA make changes without consultation, the double tether system on the FC's has been awful and Johnny Gray was lucky to get away unscathed the other week.
Oh, I dont disagree. Its almost certain that the head restraint/padding changes made after Medlen's death were what saved Force's life in the chassis-split crash, and that the more enclosed chassis design resulting from that accident will save someone's life in the future.What is the double tether system, and how does it work? I've not heard of this latest change, how did it interfere in Gray's accident?
Edited by airbrakes on Wednesday 21st August 12:13
Brittany wanted to drive Top Fuel.
I am sure they would of had some prior warning about this and I think they might be using Courtney as the main promo tool these days to try gain sponsor interest. I am sure John would not of agreed to let Ashley pose for ESPN Body Issue a few years back when the income was good and all the cars were well backed.
I think they will be fine, I can see John driving a Top Fuel car even after all he has said in the past, like you said Bernstein made the transition well, I think the main difference is you finesse a Dragster and man handle a Funny Car.
I am sure they would of had some prior warning about this and I think they might be using Courtney as the main promo tool these days to try gain sponsor interest. I am sure John would not of agreed to let Ashley pose for ESPN Body Issue a few years back when the income was good and all the cars were well backed.
I think they will be fine, I can see John driving a Top Fuel car even after all he has said in the past, like you said Bernstein made the transition well, I think the main difference is you finesse a Dragster and man handle a Funny Car.
airbrakes said:
What is the double tether system, and how does it work? I've not heard of this latest change, how did it interfere in Gray's accident?
After Robert Hights body went into the stands at Las Vegas the NHRA mandated a double tether system to keep the bodies on the cars in the event of an explosion.Johnny Gray blew up a couple of races ago and the double tether system meant it split in the middle leaving the firewall in Grays face and the body jacked up at the back so he was unable to get out on his own, he was lucky the fire had died down.
http://www.competitionplus.com/drag-racing/news/25...
Same thing happened to Ron Capps this weekend but luckily the back blew off completely.
To achieve the level of success Force has had requires a selfish, sociapathic approach. That approach is what drives him to succeed at all costs and by trampling over anyone who may jeopordise his success. However when the results have started to fall away his approach has just ended up alienating him and pi$$ing off the wrong people.
First his ego resulted in him growing his team beyond what was sustainable.
A few years back, he threw a race against Robert Hight so that Hight could make it into the countdown, Hight then went on to take the championship he should never have been racing in. This was blatent cheating, being a celebrity does not make that acceptable.
He then went on to make his biggest mistake and manages to pi$$ off Austin Coil, the man who gave him all of his success.
Forces approach in the sport has made him lots of friends, but eventually the enemies start to outweigh the friends. With the results now not going his way, he is starting to find out who his real friends are, and there doesnt appear to be many.
First his ego resulted in him growing his team beyond what was sustainable.
A few years back, he threw a race against Robert Hight so that Hight could make it into the countdown, Hight then went on to take the championship he should never have been racing in. This was blatent cheating, being a celebrity does not make that acceptable.
He then went on to make his biggest mistake and manages to pi$$ off Austin Coil, the man who gave him all of his success.
Forces approach in the sport has made him lots of friends, but eventually the enemies start to outweigh the friends. With the results now not going his way, he is starting to find out who his real friends are, and there doesnt appear to be many.
Without sounded like a complete ****
When you've won 15 NHRA funny car titles and 133 national events, then, and only then can you judge Mr Force and his career choices. The most successful man in motorsport, period.
And as for results, yes last year or two they have struggled somewhat, but recently JFR are right back in the thick of it. John is far from done and I think it takes a very foolish person to think he is.
When you've won 15 NHRA funny car titles and 133 national events, then, and only then can you judge Mr Force and his career choices. The most successful man in motorsport, period.
And as for results, yes last year or two they have struggled somewhat, but recently JFR are right back in the thick of it. John is far from done and I think it takes a very foolish person to think he is.
We all have to make judgements on people we don't know that well, I think it is better to judge them on their conduct rather than how succesful or famous they are. Having loads of championships does not automatically make U a nice person.
The throwing of the race and his conduct afterwards on camera in front of the world really put me off Force. His groupies will always support him, but he definately showed his true colours.
The throwing of the race and his conduct afterwards on camera in front of the world really put me off Force. His groupies will always support him, but he definately showed his true colours.
All the true successful businessmen are ruthless and will do anything to succeed. His was just played out on TV.
Still not a patch on the Pedregon brothers though, robbing widows, fighting and most recently spitting in the face of his crew after a disagreement. Not to mention the infighting between them all.
Still not a patch on the Pedregon brothers though, robbing widows, fighting and most recently spitting in the face of his crew after a disagreement. Not to mention the infighting between them all.
Squating Neville said:
It probably down to the norm, Money, Castrol can probably make more money probing and marketing, smaller classes in motorsport, with cars that are more modern and more advanced in technology , that people can relate to. Times change and things move. on Drag racing Doesn't
True, strong rumours are the moneys being pooled towards sponsoring a Nascar team. More bang for buck in the good ol' USA.Not the first or last to throw a race. It got the result with Height taking the title so business success.
Picture Hagan and Capps in the final at Pomona. If Hagan wins he wins the championship, if Capps wins, Force wins the championship. Except the possibility of something going wrong I guarantee Hagan wins that race....
Picture Hagan and Capps in the final at Pomona. If Hagan wins he wins the championship, if Capps wins, Force wins the championship. Except the possibility of something going wrong I guarantee Hagan wins that race....
MotorPsycho said:
Not the first or last to throw a race. It got the result with Height taking the title so business success.
Picture Hagan and Capps in the final at Pomona. If Hagan wins he wins the championship, if Capps wins, Force wins the championship. Except the possibility of something going wrong I guarantee Hagan wins that race....
I agree, there are very few sportsmen left in sport. It doesnt make it right. I don't believe you can become a true great of sport if your success is not paired with sportsmanship and respect from your fellow competitors.Picture Hagan and Capps in the final at Pomona. If Hagan wins he wins the championship, if Capps wins, Force wins the championship. Except the possibility of something going wrong I guarantee Hagan wins that race....
Burndown said:
I agree, there are very few sportsmen left in sport. It doesnt make it right. I don't believe you can become a true great of sport if your success is not paired with sportsmanship and respect from your fellow competitors.
With you on that, team cars spoilt it. The best days from a performance/innovation/all out racing perspective were the early/mid 90's. Force, Hofmann, Pedregon, Etchells, Epler, KC Spurlock, Skuza, Worsham. Real racing. Gassing Station | Drag Racing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff