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6/4/08, 1:39 AM   #11
Re: The American Dream Motorsports Nightmare !
jfry1
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Why is there a picture of the car like it was parked at the 7-11 over night?? You know no wheels and tires? A low budget team need some spares?
 
6/4/08, 7:16 AM   #12
Re: The American Dream Motorsports Nightmare !
Redbone
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Couple of questions. What charges are they holding Eric on? Why did the equipment end up in Cincinnati instead of the race shop?
 
6/4/08, 9:06 AM   #13
Re: The American Dream Motorsports Nightmare !
pgray
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Quote:
Originally Posted by radiusrod
Why is there a picture of the car like it was parked at the 7-11 over night?? You know no wheels and tires? A low budget team need some spares?
The photo was taken shortly after Firestone Racing seized 4 sets of tires from the team for non-payment of a previous bill.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Redbone
Couple of questions. What charges are they holding Eric on? Why did the equipment end up in Cincinnati instead of the race shop?
* The warrant issued in Nevada was said to stem from charges of felony fraud. Specifics unknown or not stated. ( per Kenosha County Wisconsin Police ).

* The truck & trailer is owned by Tony Turco.
Mrs. Zimmerman authorized Turco to keep possession of the trailer contents ( the team assets ) in exchange for - 1) first paying Eric's bond , and - 2) until the later re-payment of same. ( Turco did not go to Kenosha ; has not paid bond ; instead returned home to Cincinatti ).

* I spoke with Mrs. Zimmerman last night. She stated again that this was her agreement with Turco and does not understand why he chose to do otherwise. Mrs. Zimmerman now maintains that the trailer contents , owned by she and her husband , and valued at nearly $400,000. should be returned to the team shop immediately.

* Eric remains in jail - Day 6.
 
6/4/08, 1:37 PM   #14
Re: The American Dream Motorsports Nightmare !
pgray
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Eric Zimmerman was released on bond from the Kenosha County Jail earlier this morning. No other details available at this time.
 
6/4/08, 3:21 PM   #15
Re: The American Dream Motorsports Nightmare !
oh yes
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any idea what al unser 3 is gonna do ?
 
6/4/08, 8:36 PM   #16
Re: The American Dream Motorsports Nightmare !
pgray
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oh yes
any idea what al unser 3 is gonna do ?

Al Unser III is a great guy , good driver and should be marketable from the Unser name alone. But that hasn't been the case.

His racing resume lacks accomplishment after a 9 year career and at 25 years of age ; 26 in October.

The Barber Dodge Series , Toyota Atlantic's , Infinity Pro , Indy Pro , etc. shows average results and running less than full schedules.

The Playa Del Racing deal , begun in '07 , was his best opportunity to date while not well funded. Al brought Ethos Fuel Reformulator aboard as primary sponsor. Ethos recently bowed out preferring to position itself as a series associate sponsor in the future , Iam told.

Going into '08 with Playa Del Racing remained his sole opportunity and the team was positioned to run the full schedule. By May the Ethos committment was no longer in play.

After the Freedom 100 at Indy on May 24th , new owner Eric Zimmerman met with Al III and Al Jr. The message was simple - this would now become a paid ride. Bring your money or that of a sponsor to keep your seat ... this ride would now go to a well funded driver.

The Unser's brought nothing to the table , offered no solutions going into the future. Meeting adjourned. Enter Tony Turco. The rest is history.

Whether at the race shop or at the track , Al III began his day acknowledging every team member with a hand shake and a thank you.

Al's goal , like all Unser's , is to compete in and find victory in the Indianapolis 500. This will only be accomplished through a major sponsor buying a ride for Al on a great established team.

I wish Al III ( aka "mini Al" or "just Al" ) all the best !! :thumb
 
6/5/08, 1:20 PM   #17
Re: The American Dream Motorsports Nightmare !
mikew
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This whole mess just got a write-up on one of the IndyCar blogs I follow. It even links to this forum and Mr. Gray's account of what happened. Enjoy.

http://www.mynameisirl.com/2008/06/n...can-dream.html
 
6/6/08, 9:52 AM   #18
Re: The American Dream Motorsports Nightmare !
pgray
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When Turco was announced to the team as our Milwaukee driver , team members knew little if anything about him. We were led to believe that he had last driven in the Indy Pro Series maybe a year or so ago.

The Firestone Indy Lights drivers meeting was held at Milwaukee on Saturday morning ( May 31 ) at 7:00am. Turco attended and was told just prior to the meeting that he had much paper work to do with the series officials prior to be approved to drive. Also , his helmet had to go to Tech for certification / approval.

Meeting lasted just under a half-hour.
First Indy Lights practice was scheduled for 8:15am.

Turco bowed out shortly thereafter blaming increased costs that he would incur and in the absence of the team owner. Maybe. ( ? ).

Was he approved to drive ? Some think not.

As it turns out , Turco's last Pro Series event was at the Homestead-Miami Speedway on February 29th , 2004 ... more than 4 years ago !

His entire career in Indy Pro ( now Indy Lights ) consists of only 5 starts !!

2002 - 3 starts , finishing 9th , 13th , and 12th.
2003 - 1 start , finished 11th.
2004 - 1 start - ( 2/29/04 - Homestead-Miami ) finished 4th.
2005 - 2008 = 0 starts.

Was he approved to drive ? To have gone through that process , he would have missed the first practice session at 8:15 to 9:15 am.

The next and final session was to be at 11:30 to 12:30 pm.

Four years out of the seat and one hour of practice ... ? The debate is on. :action-smiley-049:
 
6/6/08, 7:24 PM   #19
Re: The American Dream Motorsports Nightmare !
Beer Goggles
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Paul, this whole episode should qualify to be a chapter in the next edition of "Stroker Ace". Too bad you guys didn't get paid for your efforts at Indy.
At least we now know you don't have any warrants !
 
6/6/08, 11:33 PM   #20
Re: The American Dream Motorsports Nightmare !
pgray
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Some thoughts & just for the record ...

1 - Sarah Fisher should be an inspiration to all drivers who struggle year to year seeking rides from second and third rate teams. Sarah broke that cycle and took control of her own destiny. She presented her vision , talent and value to potential sponsors , collected the money , purchased the assets and created her own team. While not a top tier effort , Sarah has already accomplished more than many will ever know ! Al Unser III should spend some time with Sarah and take notes.
( I'd also like to see Buddy & Jacque Lazier start their own team ).

2 - I continue to feel bad for Jay Howard. Was replaced at Indy by John Andretti ; was supposed to be back in the #24 at Milwaukee and beyond. Andretti again in the seat at Texas. " Come on , Marty ... do the right thing ! ... honor your original committment to Jay ! " :thumb

3 - If you could only go to one Firestone Indy Lights race and only meet one driver you will want to meet Cyndie Allemann ! From Moutier , Switzerland , Cyndie drives for American Spirit Racing in association with PDM ( Paul Diatlovich ). For all of you who cannot find reasons to like Danica , you'll love Cyndie !! :respect:

4 - American Dream Motorsports will re-group and be back maybe by the Iowa event on June 21. The problem began at a fire hydrant will prove just a minor bump in the , well off of the road ! :O:
 
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