Poll:Will Mark Webber race at Bathurst in 2003?

[SWRT]

Yes,both
Yes,1000
Yes,24 hour
No,both
No,1000
No,24 hour

[Aussiecollector]

I don't think so, not unless the F1 calender is changed and even then Jaguar would be very reluctant to allow him to race even in a Jaguar.

Glenn

[admin]

F1 drivers are not permitted to race in any type of car or races other than officially promulgated F1 World Championship events.
So, no doubt he will not be in anything but a Jaguar for 2003/04

[SWRT]

Jaguar is owned by Ford.
Webber wants to drive at Bathurst.
When Webber signed with Jaguar maybe he made sure that he could get the 1000 weekend off to race at Bathurst.
The date for next years Bathurst 24hr makes it easier for Webber to race at Bathurst if the Japanese GP is on the 1000 weekend.
Also there is a Nations cup Jaguar owned by Bob Thorn.
So maybe Webber might do the 24 hour or even put together a deal to do the 1000.Who knows.
I've contacted a couple of V8 Ford teams so they would consider him for a drive.

[admin]

It goes way beyond what anyone wants!

The F1 agreement dictates that a team will turn up with 2 cars and nominated drivers at all races.

If any team defaults for any reason, it costs them big time (ask Tom).

I think if Bernie had one Jaguar fronting up with a lesser driver than Mark because he broke an ankle or something driving/testing a Falcon, I would not like to be in Lauda's shoes!!

It doesn't matter that the season might be over, as there is very little time between the end of the year and testing for the next year and all due credit to Mark, he probably got the drive because of his car sorting ability, so no-one would risk him in anything but a Championship race.

Ever wondered why no current F1 drivers have ever raced at Bathurst...that's why..

Grand marshal, "gentlemen start your engines" man or whatever (which would be fantastic), but drive..no way.

[SWRT]

Alan Jones managed to drive in the 1981 1000 and still being the current F1 champ back then.

[admin]

Slightly different situation! but granted, it did happen.
Alan had announced his retirement, Willaims had Reutermann as the only driver to beat Piquet to the Championship at the last race on Oct 17, so probably didnt care if Alan raced or not.
He did and he won the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
That was 21 years ago and things have changed a bit since then. If Alan had been continuing in F1 in 82, it would be my bet he would not have driven at Bathurst in 81.

[Tumbo]

If Webber doesn't race, then so be it. hopefully Citroen will allow McRae to come out. he spends half his year telling people he would love to do a V8 race, plus he's already competed in the UK with some of their circuit racing. But the chances are he'll spend another yr complaining about his drive and not come out here. :(

[SWRT]

Whats the story behind Mario Andretti's drive in the 1988 1000.
Was he driving full time with one of his Indy teams?

[spoonster05]

John Andretti drove with Gary Rogers in the 1988 1000 but he had broken his leg in an Indycar accident....

[brchi17]

I remember reciently (one or two years ago) that someone was trying to get Mark to drive for them (could have been DJR - not totally sure) at Bathurst & he refused the drive with the answer, that it may be detrimental to any future drives, if he ran poorly at Bathurst - althought it didn't rule it out once his F1 dream is finished.
Perhaps for people like James Courtney it might be a good idea for him to drive at Bathurst !!!
cheers.

[SWRT]

Ryan Briscoe was meant to drive with PHR Scuderia at the Bathurst 24 hr.What happened there?
There is a better chance of Courtney,Briscoe or Rob Nygyen racing at Bathurst than Webber.
Why don't Jaguar bring back Courtney as a tester so if Webber misses out or is sick for a race there still will be an Aussie in the field.

[brchi17]

Didn't Ryan bend the new PHR Ferrair at this years AGP ? A component failure was blaimed for the insident, but I'm sure it was not good for his career. To have this happen in front of a world audience can not be a good advert to prospective bosses.
cheers.

[SWRT]

Jack Brabham did Bathurst a few times but he had retired from F1.
Stirling Moss's race in 76 was his first race for a long time.
The trend seems to be when F1 drivers finish with F1 they do touring cars like Wayne Gardner and Alan Jones.
Maybe Webber could drive a BA V8 supercar for a lap or 2 infront of the Melbourne crowd.That would be enough.
Still if the V12 Nations cup Jag races in Bathurst 24 hour 2003 and Jaguar F1 isn't doing any testing Webber may race...who knows.
I also heard that Michel Schumachers mechanic who was with Prancing horse at this years 24 hour will attempt to get Michael to give next years race a go.
Who'd like to see a comparosen between the Nations cup Monaro and GRM V8 supercar?