| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 1176.1 | | NCEIS1::CHEVAUX | Patrick Chevaux, Nice, 828-6995 | Fri Aug 03 1990 10:58 | 11 |
| A Michelin spokesman commented this info last night on french TV
by saying: the only reason we're pulling out is that we dont have
anything more to demonstrate in those 2 activities (bike racing,
rallying). We have won the world rally championships for the last 8
years, we have complete monopoly in bike racing, ... We have decided
to stop advanced development but we'll continue to sell race tyres.
No connection with any financial difficulties.
I view this announcement merely as a shift of investment dollars
towards the new Sports Car Championship starting next year (and
why not a return to F1 ?)
|
| 1176.2 | Plans afoot in France? | NSDC::SIMPSON | File Under 'Common Knowledge' | Mon Aug 06 1990 11:37 | 36 |
| RE: -.1
Patrick,
You are absolutely right. Saw an interview with the Michelin head
of sport - they're going to put all of their money into the WSPC (particularly
the Peugeot 905, I guess).
Looks like J-M B is orchestrating something big for France. A few
indications:
o Interview at the announcement of the 905, where he said that France
must have an organised effort to reach the summit of motor racing.
o J-M B has promised stable regulations to Michelin and Peugeot.
Interesting that a lot of the technology arising from the new
regulations would allow a team, who had cut their teeth in WSPC,
to move onto F1 - especially the engine. (Sorry WSPC lovers - this is
not derogatory! It is just that F1 is more difficult to break into,
and more prestigous - maybe the new WSPC rules will change that?)
o Michelin - their major project
o Peugeot - their only project (Citroen are developing the sand hopper
to replace Peugeot in the Paris-Dakar)
o I've got a car magazine where editorial pressure is being put on Prost
to be a driver in the Peugeot team. It is very strongly worded! I'm
sure that Prost will ignore it; however the evidence is their for a
major national effort.
Patrick, what are your feelings - do you see things this way - it will be great
for French motor racing if it works!
Cheers
Steve
|
| 1176.3 | | NCEIS1::CHEVAUX | Patrick Chevaux, Nice, 828-6995 | Tue Aug 07 1990 16:57 | 15 |
| Steve, you're right, the WSPC (3.5 ltr version) is a BIG thing for
Peugeot. For several years we've heard that Peugeot (Jean Todt)
were looking for what to do next: Gr A rallying, Baja type races,
Pikes Peak, WSPC, F1, ... For the F1 project the name of Prost as
general team manager has been discussed for a long time, especially
last year ... (when Prost was known to be available at end of 1989)
Since the new 3.5 ltr N/A championship is becoming extremely
competitive Peugeot have made strategic alliances with Michelin,
Dassault (CATIA CAD/CAM + carbon/polymers) and .... IBM.
Hence the decision by Michelin to switch dollars to this new challenge.
At Donington another Michelin official confirmed that they cant
possibly support bike racing and rallying and sports cars.
|