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IndyCar
INDYCAR: Schmidt, Hamilton Working On Partnership
SPEED.com has learned that Davey Hamilton and Sam Schmidt are close to expanding the SSM operation from one car to two this season.
Open-wheel veteran Davey Hamilton could be close to bringing HP and his own Dallara DW12s to Sam Schmidt to run, and transitioning out of the cockpit into a managerial role. (Photo: LAT)
Two of the IRL’s original competitors are on the cusp of joining forces this year.
SPEED.com has learned that Davey Hamilton and Sam Schmidt are close to expanding the Sam Schmidt Motorsports operation from one car to two this season, with Hamilton likely to bring his longtime sponsor Hewlett Packard and new Dallara DW12s to SSM’s Indianapolis-based outfit.
“We’re painting cars as we speak,” said Schmidt when contacted by SPEED.com. “But I can’t say more than that on who those sponsors are or any other affiliation. We have three cars in the shop right now and should have a fourth car here soon.”
Hamilton, who runs his own Indy Lights team and has been a part-time IZOD IndyCar Series competitor in recent years, is reportedly looking to step out of the cockpit and focus on his successful racing businesses.
This wouldn’t be the first arrangement between Schmidt and Hamilton, as the Idaho native drove for Schmidt in 2001, SSM’s first season in IndyCar.
He was considering moving his Davey Hamilton Racing team into the IndyCar Series this year, but is close to aligning with his former team owner and could assume a managerial role in the blended organization.
Hamilton was unable to comment when reached Friday afternoon.
It’s believed HP could have a major presence on Schmidt’s Honda-powered No. 77 entry for Simon Pagenaud, who will lead SSM’s program.
Provided the second entry with Hamilton comes to fruition, the car could see multiple drivers with funding sharing the seat.
Firestone Indy Lights graduate Martin Plowman drove for SSM/AFS Racing in three IndyCar races last year and is considered the leading candidate to step into the SSM/Hamilton ride.
The 24-year-old Briton looked just as promising as fellow rookies JR Hildebrand and James Hinchcliffe in his final IndyCar outing at Baltimore, and would benefit from mentoring under a fast veteran like Pagenaud during a half-season program.
New Zealand's Wade Cunningham and Japan's Hideki Mutoh also drove the SSM/AFS entry in 2011.
Schmidt would not comment on the details, plans or players involved, but did confirm that the second entry he’s desired is closer to becoming a reality.
“We’re working diligently on a second car,” he said. “A couple of the Honda prospects we had in mind didn’t pan out, so that’s opened up some opportunities there. The biggest thing is that I’m not going to compromise the first program with Simon just to get a second car done, so our internal clock is looking at the 15th [of February] as the date we need to make things happen.
“We’ve got the personnel, got the experienced staff and the equipment. We’re keyed up to do it, but know that if we have to wait past the 15th, we’re not sure everything else would get done properly and to our satisfaction before the first race.”
AFS owner Gary Peterson updated SPEED.com about the status of the SSM/AFS partnership in 2012, saying that he and Schmidt split on friendly terms and that he hopes to announce a partnership with different team in the coming days.
Marshall Pruett is SPEED.com's Auto Racing Editor, covering IndyCar and sports cars. He also contributes to Road & Track and Racecar Engineering. Follow him @MarshallPruett on Twitter.
SPEED.com has learned that Davey Hamilton and Sam Schmidt are close to expanding the Sam Schmidt Motorsports operation from one car to two this season, with Hamilton likely to bring his longtime sponsor Hewlett Packard and new Dallara DW12s to SSM’s Indianapolis-based outfit.
“We’re painting cars as we speak,” said Schmidt when contacted by SPEED.com. “But I can’t say more than that on who those sponsors are or any other affiliation. We have three cars in the shop right now and should have a fourth car here soon.”
Hamilton, who runs his own Indy Lights team and has been a part-time IZOD IndyCar Series competitor in recent years, is reportedly looking to step out of the cockpit and focus on his successful racing businesses.
This wouldn’t be the first arrangement between Schmidt and Hamilton, as the Idaho native drove for Schmidt in 2001, SSM’s first season in IndyCar.
He was considering moving his Davey Hamilton Racing team into the IndyCar Series this year, but is close to aligning with his former team owner and could assume a managerial role in the blended organization.
Hamilton was unable to comment when reached Friday afternoon.
It’s believed HP could have a major presence on Schmidt’s Honda-powered No. 77 entry for Simon Pagenaud, who will lead SSM’s program.
Provided the second entry with Hamilton comes to fruition, the car could see multiple drivers with funding sharing the seat.
Firestone Indy Lights graduate Martin Plowman drove for SSM/AFS Racing in three IndyCar races last year and is considered the leading candidate to step into the SSM/Hamilton ride.
The 24-year-old Briton looked just as promising as fellow rookies JR Hildebrand and James Hinchcliffe in his final IndyCar outing at Baltimore, and would benefit from mentoring under a fast veteran like Pagenaud during a half-season program.
New Zealand's Wade Cunningham and Japan's Hideki Mutoh also drove the SSM/AFS entry in 2011.
Schmidt would not comment on the details, plans or players involved, but did confirm that the second entry he’s desired is closer to becoming a reality.
“We’re working diligently on a second car,” he said. “A couple of the Honda prospects we had in mind didn’t pan out, so that’s opened up some opportunities there. The biggest thing is that I’m not going to compromise the first program with Simon just to get a second car done, so our internal clock is looking at the 15th [of February] as the date we need to make things happen.
“We’ve got the personnel, got the experienced staff and the equipment. We’re keyed up to do it, but know that if we have to wait past the 15th, we’re not sure everything else would get done properly and to our satisfaction before the first race.”
AFS owner Gary Peterson updated SPEED.com about the status of the SSM/AFS partnership in 2012, saying that he and Schmidt split on friendly terms and that he hopes to announce a partnership with different team in the coming days.
Marshall Pruett is SPEED.com's Auto Racing Editor, covering IndyCar and sports cars. He also contributes to Road & Track and Racecar Engineering. Follow him @MarshallPruett on Twitter.
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