USF1 -- F1's All-American Challenger

[Jersey Tom]

You'd think they'd hire a webmaster. In this day and age, if you don't have a website, you don't exist. I mean really, the kid down the street in the neighborhood can put up something. Their business model included open access, etc. etc.

I reaaly REALLY hope they make it. But... I'm beginning to have my doubts too.

BS. If you're a well-established motorsport professional you don't need a website, or certainly not a fancy one. You have substantial networking.

Doug Milliken doesn't need a fancy website. If Carroll Smith were still around he wouldn't either.

[xpensive]

The simple fact that people are missing a USF1-website and asking for it, should be proof enough there's need for one.

In my world anyway.

[Richard]

You'd think they'd hire a webmaster. In this day and age, if you don't have a website, you don't exist. I mean really, the kid down the street in the neighborhood can put up something. Their business model included open access, etc. etc.

I reaaly REALLY hope they make it. But... I'm beginning to have my doubts too.

Lotus also have a single page. It does seem odd in such a high tech sport that is also reliant on marketing/image for sponsorship ?

[Jersey Tom]

I just don't think a website is that critical here. This isn't a Formula SAE team trying to get the local IHOP to sponsor them with "Hey check out our fancy website!"

There's been a tremendous amount of interest in USF1. I'm sure they've gotten a deluge of resumes. If Pete Windsor or Ken Anderson want to talk to big players and secure sponsorship, they can create media brief material and make the right calls.

If I were them I'd be more focused on getting real work done than BS'ing around with a website.

Think about BrawnGP, remember what their starting website was? If I remember right it was one page. Didn't stop them from getting Virgin as a sponsor by the beginning of the season!

[xpensive]

When USF1 is beginning to be mocked on Youtube, Chad Hurley's own creation btw, perhaps a web-site with
some images of their facilities and such would be a good thing?

Just thinking.

[Mystery Steve]

Does it really matter if they release images? In fact, if I was working at USF1 I would find the videos entertaining. It would make for good watercooler talk and maybe even motivate them (it would motivate me). If they want sponsorships they're going to more than likely take the people to the actual shop for a tour, or at the very least they have videos and pictures for that purpose. All they need to do to prove to the public that they are legit is show up with a car for the first GP. They don't work for us...

[compo]

[xpensive]

All they need to do to prove to the public that they are legit is show up with a car for the first GP.

You're right of course, Steve, that's all they have to do. Piece of cake.

[Richard]

The youtube vids are light hearted, and any publicity is good publicity.

[xpensive]

I admire people who can see the positive out of anything, but I doubt if Mike Gascoyne agrees on the publicity part.

Besides, I still think that Steve Matchett video did more harm than good.

[Mystery Steve]

All they need to do to prove to the public that they are legit is show up with a car for the first GP.

You're right of course, Steve, that's all they have to do. Piece of cake.

I didn't say it was easy to accomplish the task. I meant they don't need to go above and beyond to satisfy the public's curiosity about their progress along the way. Assuming they can get a car there, then that is all they need to do to prove they are legitimate.

[Conceptual]

I admire people who can see the positive out of anything, but I doubt if Mike Gascoyne agrees on the publicity part.

Besides, I still think that Steve Matchett video did more harm than good.

Gascoyne still has a job in F1, regardless of what publicity that you are referring to, and can you show where you base your opinion of the Matchett vid doing "more harm than good"?

Is there a poll somewhere stating that it hurt the ability of USF1 to build a car?

And Steve is right, the only proof USF1 needs is to put 2 cars on the grid in Bahrain next year. PERIOD. Anything else that you may think is required only shows that you believe your status as a fan makes a team accountable to you. Which, of course, it does not. It just shows ignorance to the fact that business can actually meet goals without your approval of the means.

[xpensive]

Sorry concept, I'm not getting into an argument with you over USF1, when I suck at handling hurt nationalistic feelings.

[Jersey Tom]

When USF1 is beginning to be mocked on Youtube, Chad Hurley's own creation btw, perhaps a web-site with
some images of their facilities and such would be a good thing?

Just thinking.

Who gives a --- though? Youtube jokes or not, makes no difference. They coulda been on national TV, who cares. It doesn't make a shred of difference what the Joe Schmo fans think, if they think its gonna be successful or not or if the website is up to their standards. Big deal. Major sponsors aren't gonna give a damn about the website either.

The only thing that matters, is what's happening in the engineering dept and shop floor.

[Conceptual]

Sorry concept, I'm not getting into an argument with you over USF1, when I suck at handling hurt nationalistic feelings.

No, you suck at passing your opinion off as fact. Nationalism aside, any of the new teams ONLY have one thing to prove, and that is starting Q1 in Bahrain.

Anything else is the expectation of people that have no clout to demand them, yourself included.