Billy Boat: "Unfortunately, there's very limited opportunities"

[MoparsRule]

ARTICLE


Billy Boat signs for one race in the Busch Series at PIR November 1.

Boat, 37, still is hoping to land a full-time Indy Racing League ride next season, and Panther Racing co-owner John Barnes said he is being considered for a possible opening with the team. Panther already has hired Tomas Scheckter to replace departing Sam Hornish Jr. but said the team could field as many as three drivers in 2004.

At this point, who isn't Barnes talking to about that "2nd car"?

[slinger]

Re: Billy Boat: "Unfortunately, there's very limited opportunities"

Originally posted by MoparsRule
ARTICLE


Billy Boat signs for one race in the Busch Series at PIR November 1.




At this point, who isn't Barnes talking to about that "2nd car"?

Racin Gardner?

[JoeBob]

Re: Billy Boat: "Unfortunately, there's very limited opportunities"

Originally posted by MoparsRule
At this point, who isn't Barnes talking to about that "2nd car"?

Drivers who don't bring sponsorship with them?

[JBaiza]

Indy cars are an expensive game, I can't remember a time when there haven't been 'very limited opportunities.' Regardless, I wish him luck and hope that he finds a way back into the IRL in one capacity or another.

[speedwaygirl56]

Re: Billy Boat: "Unfortunately, there's very limited opportunities"

[QUOTE



At this point, who isn't Barnes talking to about that "2nd car"? [/B][/QUOTE]

JJ Yeley???

[Jim Wilke]

At age 38, I am not surprised that there are not many opportunities for Billy. Sadly, he has had his chances and there are younger drivers out there. Look at it this way: Mark Taylor is personable and very fast and may very well get faster. Billy will likely not improve. And, yes, Taylor brings some money with him. Put yourself in Barnes' shoes and tell me who you'd hire.

[MicroRacer]

Originally posted by Jim Wilke
At age 38, I am not surprised that there are not many opportunities for Billy. Sadly, he has had his chances and there are younger drivers out there. Look at it this way: Mark Taylor is personable and very fast and may very well get faster. Billy will likely not improve. And, yes, Taylor brings some money with him. Put yourself in Barnes' shoes and tell me who you'd hire.

Another American sponsor with no American drivers.

[nascarnation]

Re: Billy Boat: "Unfortunately, there's very limited opportunities"

Originally posted by MoparsRule
ARTICLE


Billy Boat signs for one race in the Busch Series at PIR November 1.

USAC: the road to NASCAR

[$noopy]

Re: Billy Boat: "Unfortunately, there's very limited opportunities"

Originally posted by MoparsRule
ARTICLE


Billy Boat signs for one race in the Busch Series at PIR November 1.




At this point, who isn't Barnes talking to about that "2nd car"?

Actually, he hasn't talked to me. I would be willing to talk to him about it provided it wasn't too close to my dinner time and I had ample assurances we were going to discuss a real test.

[GarnerAC]

He was hanging out in the Panther pit last weekend at TMS.

[rev-ed]

Re: Re: Billy Boat: "Unfortunately, there's very limited opportunities"

Originally posted by JoeBob
Drivers who don't bring sponsorship with them?

Sorry, wrong answer.

You OK, JoeBob? You've been quite contrary lately. . .

[carl s]

Sure miss Billy
Will always hold the fastest lap at Ascot
I used to sit by his "card section" (recruited from the short-tracks) at PIR

Last time I saw his mug on anything IRL was the promo flyer for this Spring's IRL race at PIR

That promo was quite a metaphor for the league and the missperceptions of promoters as well as fans that surrounded it.

The IRL part of the promo had pictures of three drivers they though represented the league and who would appeal to the fans. Billy Boat (without a ride or team), Sarah Fisher (riderless) and MA who would run a few races and retire.

carl s
Indio, CA

[baffle]

Re: Re: Billy Boat: "Unfortunately, there's very limited opportunities"

Originally posted by nascarnation
USAC: the road to NASCAR

Maybe so, but only since around 1970.

[Brent_the_Lazier_fan]

I would love to see Billy with a top team, because in a good car he is as fast as anyone. He had alot bad luck in '98 or we'd be remembering him as the league's champion from that year (sorry Kenny, but Billy was faster--six poles).

Failing Billy getting a ride at Panther, I'd love to see GM/Chevy make a major commitment to getting the "Foyt" name back at the top in Indycar, with a big budget, equivalent motors to what Panther gets, and Billy as a #1 driver and mentor for Anthony. With Darrell Soppe as team engineer. I think that could be a nice combination, certainly a grassroots team to root for.

[Brent_the_Lazier_fan]

Originally posted by Brent_the_Lazier_fan
I would love to see Billy with a top team, because in a good car he is as fast as anyone. He had alot of bad luck in '98 or we'd be remembering him as the league's champion from that year (sorry Kenny, but Billy was faster--six poles).

Failing Billy getting a ride at Panther, I'd love to see GM/Chevy make a major commitment to getting the "Foyt" name back at the top in Indycar, with a big budget, equivalent motors to what Panther gets, and Billy as a #1 driver and mentor for Anthony. With Darrell Soppe as team engineer. I think that could be a nice combination, certainly a grassroots team to root for.