Create account | Log in as member
Create account | Log in as member
December 11, 2004
Tweet
Preparation for 2005 has only just begun; just three teams have confirmed their full driver line-ups, no sponsorship deals have been signed, neither have engine deals. However, this has not stopped the PhoenixF1 team taking cheap shots at the Mapes-VO squad already.
"I was around Silverstone when Kieran tested the Phoenix. I was on a recon mission really, just scouting around, seeing if I could pick anything up, ear to the ground sort of thing" said new Mapes-VO recruit Toby Lock. "I saw Kieran after he went gravel-tracking, went over to say 'hello' as you do, and I got 'You're a Mapes boy now, we're gonna get you!' Initially I thought it was a joke, because, you know, there is a little friendly rivalry between the teams. But as I walked past the garage, I was fronted with 'boo's' and hisses from the Phoenix mechanics."
It is yet to be confirmed whether this hostility is aimed at Lock alone, or at the whole Mapes squad. Rumour in the paddock is that, despite Lock's contract having been signed in late October, former F1VWC Chief and PhoenixF1 boss Andy Graydon tried to poach Lock from the champions as test and stand-in driver for his team. The driver was not too quick to deny the rumour. In fact, he confirmed the offer from Phoenix!
"I'm not at liberty to tell you what job offers I've had since the end of the season" smiled Lock. "Ok, I was offered three other jobs, but I shouldn't say where. Phoenix was one"
Poaching amongst teams in the series is thoroughly frowned upon, and coming from an established member of the Board, could have disastrous implications for the team, should the Mapes-VO team decide to take further action.
This isnt the first time either that Graydon has attempted to poach in contract drivers, with his attempt to steal Jakonen similarly fruitless earlier on in the off-season, the team however are unconcerned at Graydons bitter attempts to gain the mental uper hand, and will look forward to beating Graydon on and off the track in 2005.
"He his argument was basically that the team had no future, that, despite losing an official vote, his car looked better, and that his drivers were 'nicer' than those at Mapes. Judging from the reaction I got the other day, I think he's got his head up his arse" laughed Lock. "I wouldn't go back on my contract, and now if Phoenix wanted my services as a stand in, even if I was granted permission from VO or Mapes, I'd have to think long and hard as to whether I'd don their overalls for a weekend"
Lock is set to make his Mapes-VO debut in the 2004 Drivers and Constructors Championship winning car later next week, in Barcelona.
"I was around Silverstone when Kieran tested the Phoenix. I was on a recon mission really, just scouting around, seeing if I could pick anything up, ear to the ground sort of thing" said new Mapes-VO recruit Toby Lock. "I saw Kieran after he went gravel-tracking, went over to say 'hello' as you do, and I got 'You're a Mapes boy now, we're gonna get you!' Initially I thought it was a joke, because, you know, there is a little friendly rivalry between the teams. But as I walked past the garage, I was fronted with 'boo's' and hisses from the Phoenix mechanics."
It is yet to be confirmed whether this hostility is aimed at Lock alone, or at the whole Mapes squad. Rumour in the paddock is that, despite Lock's contract having been signed in late October, former F1VWC Chief and PhoenixF1 boss Andy Graydon tried to poach Lock from the champions as test and stand-in driver for his team. The driver was not too quick to deny the rumour. In fact, he confirmed the offer from Phoenix!
"I'm not at liberty to tell you what job offers I've had since the end of the season" smiled Lock. "Ok, I was offered three other jobs, but I shouldn't say where. Phoenix was one"
Poaching amongst teams in the series is thoroughly frowned upon, and coming from an established member of the Board, could have disastrous implications for the team, should the Mapes-VO team decide to take further action.
This isnt the first time either that Graydon has attempted to poach in contract drivers, with his attempt to steal Jakonen similarly fruitless earlier on in the off-season, the team however are unconcerned at Graydons bitter attempts to gain the mental uper hand, and will look forward to beating Graydon on and off the track in 2005.
"He his argument was basically that the team had no future, that, despite losing an official vote, his car looked better, and that his drivers were 'nicer' than those at Mapes. Judging from the reaction I got the other day, I think he's got his head up his arse" laughed Lock. "I wouldn't go back on my contract, and now if Phoenix wanted my services as a stand in, even if I was granted permission from VO or Mapes, I'd have to think long and hard as to whether I'd don their overalls for a weekend"
Lock is set to make his Mapes-VO debut in the 2004 Drivers and Constructors Championship winning car later next week, in Barcelona.
© 2018 GPVWC Simracing Ltd | Privacy Policy