Second Vandergriff Team?

#31 03-31-2008, 03:25 PM

I like the fact that Bob is going to use an A/FD as a development platform. When are the rest of the big TF teams (Powers excluded) going to get the hint and start bringing the new blood up through the natural feeder class?? Even the FC teams would be wise to use the class as proving ground. JFR's involvement in the class withstanding, to my knowledge no Pro team has ever used the alky classes in this way. The Sprint Cup teams own Nationwide operations...and ARCA, Truck, etc. There is no reason the same business model can't be utilized in drag racing.

#32 03-31-2008, 03:32 PM

Darrien Meadows(sp?) comes to mind. A few wannabes

started there

#33 03-31-2008, 03:56 PM

i'd like to make a guess if driver comes from A/FD ranks: Aaron Olivarez

#34 03-31-2008, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes Tarkington

I like the fact that Bob is going to use an A/FD as a development platform. When are the rest of the big TF teams (Powers excluded) going to get the hint and start bringing the new blood up through the natural feeder class?? Even the FC teams would be wise to use the class as proving ground. JFR's involvement in the class withstanding, to my knowledge no Pro team has ever used the alky classes in this way. The Sprint Cup teams own Nationwide operations...and ARCA, Truck, etc. There is no reason the same business model can't be utilized in drag racing.

Many of today's drivers have gone through the alky ranks. It already is a training grounds. Now I don't know that any pro teams owns an alky team. To be honest why would they need to invest in another car when they can do what they do now and just hire fromt he current crop of drivers.

Here's just a few of the many to go through alky before moving to nitro
Scelzi
Hillary
Brandon
Scott K
Tony Bartone
Schumacher
Ashley
Cory
Bradshaw
Morgan
Tasca
Troxel
TJ

#35 03-31-2008, 04:40 PM

This is all I'm going to say, SPENCER MASSEY.

#36 04-01-2008, 03:24 PM

Good thinking, Justin! Someone was paying attention at Houston testing!

No need to go through the littany of drivers that came through the alky ranks (duh). My point goes to economies of scale. Why NOT own the operation? A Pro team would then be able to more effectively share sponsorship revenues amongst the teams, control the training and development of the driver (both in the car and with the media/sponsors/public), as well as use the team for training ground for crew. These and other logistical factors would reduce the cost of operation...probably less than a rent-a-ride program and would yield better results across the board for the team.

The business model is in place and has been proven to work. Drag racing is probably the only mojor motorsport that hasn't caught on. Perhaps Bob V. is about to truly raise the bar in professional team management.

#37 04-01-2008, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes Tarkington

No need to go through the littany of drivers that came through the alky ranks (duh). My point goes to economies of scale. Why NOT own the operation? A Pro team would then be able to more effectively share sponsorship revenues amongst the teams, control the training and development of the driver (both in the car and with the media/sponsors/public), as well as use the team for training ground for crew. These and other logistical factors would reduce the cost of operation...probably less than a rent-a-ride program and would yield better results across the board for the team.

The business model is in place and has been proven to work. Drag racing is probably the only mojor motorsport that hasn't caught on. Perhaps Bob V. is about to truly raise the bar in professional team management.

I totally agree with you. The majority of the drivers listed above were tapped, but not groomed. This does not include the Force Girls or Brandon...

#38 04-01-2008, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Larson

i'd like to make a guess if driver comes from A/FD ranks: Aaron Olivarez

I will second that one especially with the Gallant connection

#39 04-01-2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Levitte

I totally agree with you. The majority of the drivers listed above were tapped, but not groomed. This does not include the Force Girls or Brandon...

Timmah<----Ready to be Groomed!

#40 04-01-2008, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin League

This is all I'm going to say, SPENCER MASSEY.

He made 2 testing runs Mon, his lights were .36 and .45. The kid is going to be money, I'm telling you.

#41 04-01-2008, 10:37 PM

Those reaction times said a lot about Spencer's ability. Jumping into a car that's not set up for him and cutting better lights than most (or all) of the Top Fuel drivers out there.

Bob...there's your team mate!!!

#42 04-02-2008, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Miller

I am guessing Camping World as a sponsor.

This is going to seem off the wall, but do they sponsor a boat?

#43 04-02-2008, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJ Sapienza

Many of today's drivers have gone through the alky ranks. It already is a training grounds. Now I don't know that any pro teams owns an alky team. To be honest why would they need to invest in another car when they can do what they do now and just hire fromt he current crop of drivers.

Here's just a few of the many to go through alky before moving to nitro
Scelzi
Hillary
Brandon
Scott K
Tony Bartone
Schumacher
Ashley
Cory
Bradshaw
Morgan
Tasca
Troxel
TJ

Just adding Tim Wilkerson to your list.

#44 04-02-2008, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy Hayder

This is going to seem off the wall, but do they sponsor a boat?

I don't know. I know they sponsor KHR's 2 Nationwide cars and are PT sponsors for RCR and I think RGR.

#45 04-02-2008, 10:25 AM

Remember Hawley himself drove Pro Comp for years before the Chi-Town gig. Ken Veney & AA/Dale both were alky kingpins before driving nitro cars.