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IndyCar
INDYCAR: Series Clarifies Its Stance On Tire Supply Negotiations
Firestone thinks its deal with IndyCar may end after '14 while IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard said he’s negotiating a new long-term deal but Firestone is still in play.
After announcing its withdrawal from the IndyCar Series for 2012, Firestone was convinced to stay after doubling its lease price, but now it's concerned the series is looking elsewhere. (Photo: Marshall Pruett)
Firestone’s director of motorsports thinks his company’s long association with IndyCar may be terminated following 2014 while IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard said he’s negotiating a new long-term deal but Firestone is still in play.
"I don't have all the facts and I don't know it if's true but we heard something has been signed with another tire company," said Speyer late Tuesday afternoon after a story was published on the Motor Sport web site. "We've asked who it is but IndyCar won't tell us so we don't know for sure but we've got it narrowed down to four or five.
"We've been trying to extend our contract for several months but it never got far enough along to be close to getting done. We see the upside and potential to being in IndyCar and we want to extend our relationship for the longterm. But right now there's a lot of uncertainty."
Speyer told Motor Sport's Gordon Kirby that it was clear IndyCar management "is not interested in working with us."
In Wyoming with his staff for a business retreat and unavailable for comment, Bernard issued the following statement:
“While INDYCAR generally does not comment on the specifics of ongoing negotiations, INDYCAR is always exploring what’s best for the sport for both the short and long term. It is the series’ goal to have partners that will provide safe, reliable and high-performance products that are designed to meet and exceed the on-track demands of our sport while creating a platform to leverage and grow the sport through aggressive activation.
"Because the current contract with Firestone to supply tires for the IZOD IndyCar Series will expire following the 2014 race season, INDYCAR has been seeking and continues to seek a tire partnership for 2015 and beyond. As the current and historical tire supplier, Firestone has been and continues to be a part of the consideration.”
Speyer was asked if Firestone had submitted a new offer?
"That's a question for IndyCar because they're looking for the supplier, whether it be us or someone else," he replied "And, to date, we've not been asked to send a presentation."
Pirelli, which currently supplies Formula One and wants to expand its American market, would seem to be a likely candidate along with Michelin.
One thing that could play a role in INDYCAR's future tire decisions is what happens with the GRAND-AM/ALMS merger. GRAND-AM uses spec tires from Continental, while the ALMS is overflowing with tire manufacturers.
"I don't have all the facts and I don't know it if's true but we heard something has been signed with another tire company," said Speyer late Tuesday afternoon after a story was published on the Motor Sport web site. "We've asked who it is but IndyCar won't tell us so we don't know for sure but we've got it narrowed down to four or five.
"We've been trying to extend our contract for several months but it never got far enough along to be close to getting done. We see the upside and potential to being in IndyCar and we want to extend our relationship for the longterm. But right now there's a lot of uncertainty."
Speyer told Motor Sport's Gordon Kirby that it was clear IndyCar management "is not interested in working with us."
In Wyoming with his staff for a business retreat and unavailable for comment, Bernard issued the following statement:
“While INDYCAR generally does not comment on the specifics of ongoing negotiations, INDYCAR is always exploring what’s best for the sport for both the short and long term. It is the series’ goal to have partners that will provide safe, reliable and high-performance products that are designed to meet and exceed the on-track demands of our sport while creating a platform to leverage and grow the sport through aggressive activation.
"Because the current contract with Firestone to supply tires for the IZOD IndyCar Series will expire following the 2014 race season, INDYCAR has been seeking and continues to seek a tire partnership for 2015 and beyond. As the current and historical tire supplier, Firestone has been and continues to be a part of the consideration.”
Speyer was asked if Firestone had submitted a new offer?
"That's a question for IndyCar because they're looking for the supplier, whether it be us or someone else," he replied "And, to date, we've not been asked to send a presentation."
Pirelli, which currently supplies Formula One and wants to expand its American market, would seem to be a likely candidate along with Michelin.
One thing that could play a role in INDYCAR's future tire decisions is what happens with the GRAND-AM/ALMS merger. GRAND-AM uses spec tires from Continental, while the ALMS is overflowing with tire manufacturers.
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