"Sshhh, keep it a secret..." he yells

[Griz]

OK, explain this to me. KK is asking everyone to leave TG and him alone so they can continue this "getting to know one another" without undue stress and strain.

Good.

But who started this mini-avalanche of publicity? Who was quoted in Autoweek magazine?

Hint:

"There is no letter of intent, and absolutely, completely no deal,'' Kalkhoven told AutoWeek. "We met in Paris at the Race of Champions and on a couple of occasions since, socially. Certainly I expect there will be more meetings in the future. I quite enjoy (George's) company."

If KK wants things kept quiet, why is he talking with everyone holding a pen?

[JoeBob]

Did you not read the Autoweek article?

Autoweek said that they found out about what was happening from "third parties."

KK pretty much said, "Yeah, we're talking. I'm not saying anything."

Interestingly, this was the same message that IMS released when they were asked for comment.

[Spike]

OK, explain this to me....who started this mini-avalanche of publicity?

It seems it started with a reporter (who had done some homework) asking a question about a deal. KK's response was pretty much a throwaway. 'There's no deal. I met Tony in Paris - nice guy. We'll meet again.' He could have said "no comment" but that wouldn't have stopped the reporter from starting the "avalanche."

[Cygni]

It seems it started with a reporter (who had done some homework) asking a question about a deal. KK's response was pretty much a throwaway. 'There's no deal. I met Tony in Paris - nice guy. We'll meet again.' He could have said "no comment" but that wouldn't have stopped the reporter from starting the "avalanche."

Exactly. Whether he said anything or not, the story was going up. At least his quotes made it clear that there is NO deal.

[Defender]

Did you not read the Autoweek article?

Autoweek said that they found out about what was happening from "third parties."

KK pretty much said, "Yeah, we're talking. I'm not saying anything."

Interestingly, this was the same message that IMS released when they were asked for comment.

Except no one from the IRL was actually quoted saying anything in Autoweek.

[Cygni]

They were quoted in the Speed article that went up an hour or two later, however.

[speedster3000]

They were quoted in the Speed article that went up an hour or two later, however.

Look, if I'm gonna learn how to participate in this forum, I can't have you confucing me with objectivity....

[indycool]

Whoa. Nation had one quote that said what they had to say in the Speed article. KK was quoted at length. No third parties were quoted that apparently the story had to start with in the first place in ANY of the stories.

Just what was that third party's mission who started this thing?

[JoeBob]

Whoa. Nation had one quote that said what they had to say in the Speed article. KK was quoted at length. No third parties were quoted that apparently the story had to start with in the first place in ANY of the stories.

Just what was that third party's mission who started this thing?

Let's have a reality check.

Here's one of the third parties that you say aren't quoted:

"If it happens it will be fantastic," said Bridgestone racing chief Al Speyer.

And the list of who has been kept in the loop:

Third parties say he and George have agreed on the principal issues and informed key team owners and partners such as engine supplier Honda and tire supplier Bridgestone/Firestone.

What would the third party's mission be? Maybe they'll lose leverage or subsidies if the deal goes through.

Then there's the "at length" quotes from KK vs the "one quote" from Fred. Strangely, they're almost the same length. (Although Robin did reprint the Autoweek quote - all one line of it.)

Fred:

"All that stuff about what had been agreed on and a letter of intent -- none of that is true," said Nation. "What is accurate is Kevin's quote that there is no deal.

"Have they talked? Yes and that's a good thing. There may be an opportunity here but it comes down to the chemistry between Tony and Kevin. Right now it's the same old song and we've all heard it before."

Kevin:

"This was not a good time for this because Tony and I have made a lot of progress in getting to know each other and understanding each other's viewpoints." said Kalkhoven, who has skied and met with George several times in the past months. "Both of us are committed to the future of open wheel racing in North America and we're trying to build bridges for the future.

"Tony has been extremely professional and I can't emphasize how important it has been for both of us to understand each other."

Plus:

"If people truly care about open wheel racing in America, then please go away and leave Tony and I alone."

[Chitownfan]

Maybe he ment the crappies to STFU.

[numrounofan]

Let's have a reality check.

Here's one of the third parties that you say aren't quoted:


And the list of who has been kept in the loop:


What would the third party's mission be? Maybe they'll lose leverage or subsidies if the deal goes through.

Then there's the "at length" quotes from KK vs the "one quote" from Fred. Strangely, they're almost the same length. (Although Robin did reprint the Autoweek quote - all one line of it.)

Fred:


Kevin:

Plus:

Yes JB and all of his request for "quiet" are showing up in articles by Gordon Kirby and Robin Miller..............still planning that trip to Ansan??

[Jim Wilke]

They were quoted in the Speed article that went up an hour or two later, however.

"They" implies more than one. Who besides Nation was quoted?

[JoeBob]

"They" implies more than one. Who besides Nation was quoted?

Well, Robin wrote that he tried to ask TG directly, but TG was "unavailable for comment."

[numrounofan]

Well, Robin wrote that he tried to ask TG directly, but TG was "unavailable for comment."

I think he just lifted that from Curt Cavin's article in the Star.......

[indycool]

JoeBob,
1. Your "third parties" response is the key. Sure, the leaker to Vettraino at Autoweek had to be someone who would lose in a merged series deal, probably (or IMO) a subsidized CC car owner that didn't like what he was hearing at the meetings in Atlanta last week.
2. Speyer's quote hardly says that Bridgestone has "signed off" on a deal. H3ll, almost everyone has said one series is preferable. No news there.
3. The Autoweek story that came out first was quotes only from KK. Robin's follow-up included those plus some new ones plus the single quote from Nation. The Indianapolis Star story quoted KK only.
4. The Autoweek story said "key team owners and partners" were informed. That's a bogus fling, IMO, by the writer at clouding who leaked the story in the first place. The writer said "third parties" said this, plural. "Third parties" sure aren't talking to anyone else.