2019 Robby Gordon Headquarters
Update on Sponsorship, 2nd Car and GEM agreement (?)
Tampa Bay Newsline
Robby Gordon will be 40 years old for next season's Daytona 500 - not a doomsday milestone by any means, but Gordon needs to start making things happen.
But first the bottom line is that Gordon needs to line up big sponsorship for next season. The benchmark is about $30 million, the budget that the top NASCAR Cup teams have to work with. The bare minimum, according to car owner Felix Sabates, is $22 million.
That's a lot of money for anyone to try to persuade a company to spend in the sport, particularly on a team that is still winless.
"I'm in a different situation than most owners, I don't have to pay a ton of money to the driver, " Robby joked. "I have the ability to operate for alot less than most owners, and we still turn a profit," Gordon added.
Sources close to Gordon indicate Jim Beam hasn't made a decision whether or not they will return in 2009, and Gordon is under the gun to get them back.
So it may be over-the-top for anyone to suggest that Gordon needs to be making plans to expand to a second team. Single-car teams don't have much chance in NASCAR these days.
But maybe Gordon can put together something for a second team, because it takes at least a two-car operation to have a prayer in this sport. Gordon still believes he can make it happen.
"We'd like to position ourselves to win races," Gordon said. "A second car is going to help in that. The thing is, who's going to pay for it, how are you going to do it, and what sponsors are going to be involved in it?"
Robby has had meeting with Jacques Villeneuve. "I think Jacques would be a good fit for RGM, but alot has to do with sponsorship. I know he and Barry are working hard to find a sponsorship package."
Gordon has also had metings with current Cup driver Scott Riggs. A formal announcement hasn't been made, but with Ryan Newman being introduced as Stewart-Haas' driver, it appears Riggs is out. "We have everything in place to support a 2nd team. I believe we can offer a program for a reasonable price. It depends on the desire of him running, the sponsors and budgets."
One hurdle for Gordon adding a 2nd team could be with his agreement with Gillett-Evernham Motorsports. The collaborative announcement Robby made in January has now been limited to a single agreement for the supply of engines only. The future of this agreement could be in jeopardy. Gordon has publicly been crittical of the fuel mileage and lack of horsepower of the Gillett-Evernham motors.
Gillett Evernham and Dodge successfully assisted Gordon in getting a penalty removed from Nascar over a unapporoved part. Not to mention, Dodge has a new motor program for 2009 that should be ready for teams to race this year. Early reports indicate these motors will be alot stronger and deliver more horsepower. "We've had reliable engines and soon we'll have the horsepower to match Toyota, and the other manufactures. Dodge will be back next year in a big way. We've been working very hard with Dodge to build the type of engines we need for these COT (Car of Tomorrow) cars." stated Ray Evernham.
Gordon has already dropped Chevrolet and Ford over lack of engine performance and level of factory support he received. If GEM decides not to renew Gordon's agreement for 2009, he could be looking for a new manufacture along with sponsorship.
TV analyst Larry McReynolds believes Gordon has the ability to suceed and can survive. "If anyone in that garage can do it, Robby can!" McReynolds procliamed. "Right now he needs to worry about keeping his team locked into the Top 35. Then he can spend the winter shopping for sponsors and be ready for Daytona. I'm sure Robby will find a way to make it all work." he added.
For Gordon's sake I hope McReyonlds is correct.
Robby Gordon will be 40 years old for next season's Daytona 500 - not a doomsday milestone by any means, but Gordon needs to start making things happen.
But first the bottom line is that Gordon needs to line up big sponsorship for next season. The benchmark is about $30 million, the budget that the top NASCAR Cup teams have to work with. The bare minimum, according to car owner Felix Sabates, is $22 million.
That's a lot of money for anyone to try to persuade a company to spend in the sport, particularly on a team that is still winless.
"I'm in a different situation than most owners, I don't have to pay a ton of money to the driver, " Robby joked. "I have the ability to operate for alot less than most owners, and we still turn a profit," Gordon added.
Sources close to Gordon indicate Jim Beam hasn't made a decision whether or not they will return in 2009, and Gordon is under the gun to get them back.
So it may be over-the-top for anyone to suggest that Gordon needs to be making plans to expand to a second team. Single-car teams don't have much chance in NASCAR these days.
But maybe Gordon can put together something for a second team, because it takes at least a two-car operation to have a prayer in this sport. Gordon still believes he can make it happen.
"We'd like to position ourselves to win races," Gordon said. "A second car is going to help in that. The thing is, who's going to pay for it, how are you going to do it, and what sponsors are going to be involved in it?"
Robby has had meeting with Jacques Villeneuve. "I think Jacques would be a good fit for RGM, but alot has to do with sponsorship. I know he and Barry are working hard to find a sponsorship package."
Gordon has also had metings with current Cup driver Scott Riggs. A formal announcement hasn't been made, but with Ryan Newman being introduced as Stewart-Haas' driver, it appears Riggs is out. "We have everything in place to support a 2nd team. I believe we can offer a program for a reasonable price. It depends on the desire of him running, the sponsors and budgets."
One hurdle for Gordon adding a 2nd team could be with his agreement with Gillett-Evernham Motorsports. The collaborative announcement Robby made in January has now been limited to a single agreement for the supply of engines only. The future of this agreement could be in jeopardy. Gordon has publicly been crittical of the fuel mileage and lack of horsepower of the Gillett-Evernham motors.
Gillett Evernham and Dodge successfully assisted Gordon in getting a penalty removed from Nascar over a unapporoved part. Not to mention, Dodge has a new motor program for 2009 that should be ready for teams to race this year. Early reports indicate these motors will be alot stronger and deliver more horsepower. "We've had reliable engines and soon we'll have the horsepower to match Toyota, and the other manufactures. Dodge will be back next year in a big way. We've been working very hard with Dodge to build the type of engines we need for these COT (Car of Tomorrow) cars." stated Ray Evernham.
Gordon has already dropped Chevrolet and Ford over lack of engine performance and level of factory support he received. If GEM decides not to renew Gordon's agreement for 2009, he could be looking for a new manufacture along with sponsorship.
TV analyst Larry McReynolds believes Gordon has the ability to suceed and can survive. "If anyone in that garage can do it, Robby can!" McReynolds procliamed. "Right now he needs to worry about keeping his team locked into the Top 35. Then he can spend the winter shopping for sponsors and be ready for Daytona. I'm sure Robby will find a way to make it all work." he added.
For Gordon's sake I hope McReyonlds is correct.
Views: 70
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Bigzoom on
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The collaborative announcement Robby made in January has now been limited to a single agreement for the supply of engines only
I guess now we know why Robby hasn't been sharing notes with GEM drivers or gettings sponsorship help anymore (Valvoline, Charter, etc). He's just getting motors now. Probably why we heard rumblings of RGM switching manufactures or alliances again.
Also see Texaco has left Ganassi. If Target leaves they could be down to one car or merge with another team (MWR). Wrigley's is still under contract with Juicy Fruit & Big Red sponsorship.
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Permalink Reply by Kirsten on
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I'm not laying all the blame on GEM. With RG running his own chassis, there's no use in sharing notes and no incentive for GEM to give him the top notch stuff. But it was RG's decision to switch and then use in-house chassis...
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Permalink Reply by NIKAL on
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Good find! If what is said here is true then it would make since why we have not seen more improvement with the team. I wonder if the support and marketing side of their deal was cut because RGM could not afford to pay GEM for this. Or if RGM or GEM felt it was best to cut ties with this part of their agreement because they did not feel it was helping each other. The way Robby likes to throw people under the bus, could be a reason GEM might not want to work with Robby. Same thing for Robby, if he feels he is paying for more then he's getting in return then why continue the partnership. I would assume the friendship Robby made with Gillett Jr. would be over too?
One thing with Robby is its all 100% his way or its no way. (I know as I have been around in the off road stuff long enough to know this.) And in NASCAR unless your a big 3-4 car team your not in any position to not be flexible. Even though Robby owns RGM I think he needs to be 60% his way and 40% who ever he decides to work with. It not like he has partnered up with dummies. DEI might not be in the greatest position right now, but their still regarded well, Roush must know something as his teams are doing pretty well and his supporting of Yates has proven to be a savior of the Yates teams. The you have GEM. Ray is not stooped, His teams are doing pretty good. Kasey has 2 wins, 5 top 5's and 11 top 10's and is currently in chase contention. Elliott has 2 top 5's and 6 top 10's.
Robby only has 2 top 10's this year. Now tell me maybe if Robby and RGM would listen to what these multi car teams are doing maybe he two would have a few top 5's and many more top 10's and not be in contention to be out of the top 35 by seasons end. For a team like RGM just braking the top 25 and getting into the NASCAR points money would be huge! NASCAR, TV and sponsors would see this. Look at all the hype and articles about Robby earlier in the year when he was in the top 20's in points. He was the little race team that could. Now he's that little team that might not! A single car team running 25th or better would be like making the chase in all reality.
Current owners points,
Roush 2nd, 7th, 10th, 14th and even McMurry is 19th.
DEI 15th, 17th, 27th, 29th.
Yates, 24th, 26th.
GEM 11th, 21st, 38th.
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Permalink Reply by jaeway on
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GEM cut robby out because GEM thought that they could buy Rgm and Robby said no
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Permalink Reply by Blue Ridge Rob on
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Nikal,
That 100 percent his way or the highway is probably why he chose not to partner with Yates last year. I still think that was his chance to make it big time. I believe Jack would have still helped out since it was Ford and they partner with Yates on motors. But Robby would not have had "total" say in the operations. It's a shame really. Success is so much more fun when you can share it with others and you don't care who gets the credit. A big ego has caused many a downfall. I hope that everything turns out OK for him and the guys at the shop. They need to turn it around quickly.
BRR
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Permalink Reply by Blues on
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Ever been involved n a partnership? They usually fail - Nascar teams are starting to realize that. Robby knows better.
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My opinion is Robby thought he could get some information and sponsorship help, GEM had a place to throw their sponsorship if Carpantier failed to qualify, and RGM could be a R&D type team for GEM.
Looks like Patrick qualified just fine, and sponsorship space wasn't needed. Robby runs his own chasis, so info sharing wouldn't work...guess only thing left was engines. Robby needed them and they leased them.
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