Fernandez team done - The Race Forums - A Social Network for Fans of the American Le Mans

Canada ALMS fan · 09-11-2009, 04:36 PM

According to Robin Miller Fernandez will shut down after the season. Sad to see them go.
AUTO-RACING - ALMS: Fernandez Ready To Fold - SPEEDtv.com

HORNDAWG · 09-11-2009, 04:51 PM

While it is not that far afield, I think I will wait for some sort of confirmation!

Canada ALMS fan · 09-11-2009, 05:45 PM

Let's keep our fingers crossed they pull something together. I wonder if Acura will walk away from P1 as well? I think that is the question we all really want to know. Fernandez had to pay for their engine lease this year didn't they? I know they own the car.

HORNDAWG · 09-11-2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canada ALMS fan

Let's keep our fingers crossed they pull something together. I wonder if Acura will walk away from P1 as well? I think that is the question we all really want to know. Fernandez had to pay for their engine lease this year didn't they? I know they own the car.

No, the lease program would start next year.

kwokjk · 09-12-2009, 12:41 PM

Very sad indeed. I though maybe deep down inside they wanted to go to Le Mans. But money talks and this team was always in the shadow of the other Acura teams and even a little bit overlooked compared to the Dyson's lola's. I definitely appreciated all they did in the series.

John Thawley · 09-13-2009, 02:59 PM

Another consideration is prototype changes for 2010. Assuming Acura sticks around, how does the Fernandez program adjust to fit in... especially if it is side-by-side with the other Acura teams? Regardless of the configuration, I don't think Acura is going to support old technology beating its new technology. Not saying the woud be competitive with the old car, but why run if you're not?

JT

kwokjk · 09-13-2009, 03:33 PM

Hmmm... good thought JT.

HORNDAWG · 09-14-2009, 12:13 PM

Well I would like to add here that it is a matter of funding. They have lost the Lowes sponsorship and it needs to be replaced for them to continue. The team is not shutting the doors, they are looking for money and if none is found they will not be able to race and at that point... This is not a new scenario, although it may be for Fernandez Racing, I wish the team the best of luck in securing funding for next year and beyond. They are a class act!!

fanta · 09-14-2009, 12:16 PM

They lost the Lowes sponsorship? I thought Adrian had a really close relationship with them, but I can see there really being no ROI here.

HORNDAWG · 09-14-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fanta

They lost the Lowes sponsorship? I thought Adrian had a really close relationship with them, but I can see there really being no ROI here.

Did you not read the piece at Speed which was referenced in the thread starting post? 2nd to last paragraph.