2019 Robby Gordon Headquarters
RGM / Gillett Update
Well, we have a little more insight now on the situation.
Why did Gillett really file suit against Robbby?
There's a lot of stuff in the suit, with the biggest two that would have any merit being what has already surfaced. That Robby was shopping his team with other potential buyers while under contract with GEM (This will be highly unlikely to prove unless owners are called in to testify, highly doubtful), The other is defamation of character when Robby publicly expressed GEM wasn't giving him solid equipment equal to what was provided to their team (Again, if the performance isn't there and it's visible that the GEM teams were performing at a higher level this will be difficult for GEM to get a multi-million dollar release on this basis alone). I haven't seen anything that would give GEM leverage over RGM.
Which leads us to the real reason, Ganassi. GEM has an opportunity to get what they believe is a better deal. Why? The property Ganssi has and location is prime and very close to the airport. We know that, but teh other is both of Ganassi's teams are inside the Top 35, the #42 is 22nd and the #41 is 30th in owner points. By having both of these teams locked in for 2009, GEM would leave Juan Pablo Montonya in the #42 with sponsorship from Wrigley's and Target, The #41 would become the #10 for Reed Sorenson. This would guarantee all 4 GEM drivers for the first 5 races.
The biggest hurdle for GEM is the #10 car is outside the Top 35 by a pretty large number. If Robby's #7 car fails to reach the Top 35 by season's end this will cause an extreme hardship on GEM at Daytona.
In an earlier interview with Ray Evernham, he discussed the time and resources it took to trying to qualify for a race when you're outside the Top 35. Not to mention, the setups have to be totally different, meaning you can't share valuable information with the other teammates. He claimed it took about 4 times the preperation for the #10 car as it does for the other two cars combined every weekend, and twice the manpower.
Having one car out four trying to make a race is a hurdle, having two is a distraction.
Kirk was recommended by GEM to Robby. GEM is quite aware this suit really was filed in hopes of a settlement and hoping the contract could be voided. They also realize Robby has a strong arguement and is probably not in a position now to settle.
From everything I've heard, it's my opinion Robby will be with GEM in 2009, unless HE settles and goes a different direction. Ultimately, it will be Robby's decision, not GEM.
Why did Gillett really file suit against Robbby?
There's a lot of stuff in the suit, with the biggest two that would have any merit being what has already surfaced. That Robby was shopping his team with other potential buyers while under contract with GEM (This will be highly unlikely to prove unless owners are called in to testify, highly doubtful), The other is defamation of character when Robby publicly expressed GEM wasn't giving him solid equipment equal to what was provided to their team (Again, if the performance isn't there and it's visible that the GEM teams were performing at a higher level this will be difficult for GEM to get a multi-million dollar release on this basis alone). I haven't seen anything that would give GEM leverage over RGM.
Which leads us to the real reason, Ganassi. GEM has an opportunity to get what they believe is a better deal. Why? The property Ganssi has and location is prime and very close to the airport. We know that, but teh other is both of Ganassi's teams are inside the Top 35, the #42 is 22nd and the #41 is 30th in owner points. By having both of these teams locked in for 2009, GEM would leave Juan Pablo Montonya in the #42 with sponsorship from Wrigley's and Target, The #41 would become the #10 for Reed Sorenson. This would guarantee all 4 GEM drivers for the first 5 races.
The biggest hurdle for GEM is the #10 car is outside the Top 35 by a pretty large number. If Robby's #7 car fails to reach the Top 35 by season's end this will cause an extreme hardship on GEM at Daytona.
In an earlier interview with Ray Evernham, he discussed the time and resources it took to trying to qualify for a race when you're outside the Top 35. Not to mention, the setups have to be totally different, meaning you can't share valuable information with the other teammates. He claimed it took about 4 times the preperation for the #10 car as it does for the other two cars combined every weekend, and twice the manpower.
Having one car out four trying to make a race is a hurdle, having two is a distraction.
Kirk was recommended by GEM to Robby. GEM is quite aware this suit really was filed in hopes of a settlement and hoping the contract could be voided. They also realize Robby has a strong arguement and is probably not in a position now to settle.
From everything I've heard, it's my opinion Robby will be with GEM in 2009, unless HE settles and goes a different direction. Ultimately, it will be Robby's decision, not GEM.
Views: 82
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by alan4s on
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That all makes sense. But doesn't it seem like GEM could have accomplished the same thing without the law suit? If they want out of the contract then just make an offer to Robby to buy out of it - he either takes it or not, without all the court stuff and the public drama. I don't see where the publicity has bought anything positive for either party.
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Permalink Reply by Turtle7 on
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Jane.. By any chance do you live in NC? If so can you get a copy of the GEM suit and email it to Brian at RobbyNews or TOG?
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Permalink Reply by Bigzoom on
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alan4s, I agree, but I believe Robby is holding their hand to the fire on his one. With no guarantee of sponsorship for next year and possibility of being outside the Top 35...why wouldn't he hold them to a 4-year driving deal? (Part of the agreement was they would supply Robby with equipment equal to what they would supply their best team (Khane).
Robby is sitting pretty on this deal...either way he's gonna get paid.
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Permalink Reply by Mike/WC77 on
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Who said theres no guarunteed sponsors for next year?
Thats only speculation
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Permalink Reply by WJM on
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I agree Alan. What Bigzoom is saying seems very plausible. Ganassi would be a more favorable acquisition than RGM. GEM would have the option of keeping the #41 or transferring the owner points to the #10. Either way it would be a transparent move given that GEM has already signed Sorenson.
Given the timing of the Sorenson signing and the filing of the suit against RGM seems more than coincidental. Also throw in the persuasive mouth of Felix Sabates spewing disdain if not outright hatred for all things Robby Gordon and GEM starts pulling half-baked allegations out of their ass as their basis for filing suit to terminate the agreement with RGM.
If GEM is forced to honor the agreement and give Robby the $23.5 million plus a ride for the next 4 years, GEM has a big problem; this would put them over the 4 car limit. Who goes; Kahne, Sadler, Sorenson, Montoya or Gordon? Robby is the obvious choice but it comes with a high price tag via an out of court settlement.
I can also see Dodge supporting GEM acquiring Ganassi. It would bring all the Dodge teams virtually under the support and technical structure of one organization; similar to what Ford has done with Roush/Fenway, which also helps consolidate costs. It would also leave Dodge with only one car, the Petty #45, to apply additional resources to help move into the top 35.
Robby is in a win-win situation. He can take GEM's money and force them to provide him a ride, which is unlikely because it would also mean GEM buying out a current driver on their roster, or pay him off and he’ll be free to pursue other opportunities that I’m sure are already in the works and probably has John Menard involved in some way...
My 300 words worth.
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Permalink Reply by Keith on
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I do not honestly believe it was FORD's intention for ROUSH to be heading up their racing program. It's the way it has evolved and shame on FORD for letting that happen. Tail wagging the dog.
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GEM would not buy out any driver. If they suit is dismissed and they go through with RGM, it's highly doubtful they would have any interest in Ganassi.
But, if they did pursue both, Gillett Jr could own one or two teams under a different location (Roush/Yates type deal).
They main reason for GEM wanting either RGM or Ganassi is for the building, location and property. So, I doubt they would want both. Ganassi is more appealing because both cars ae in the Top 35 and their location is near the airport.
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Permalink Reply by rpmscott on
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So this is what people do when they really don't know what is going on (some do) and they just can wait till the whole story comes out ...... I Like it. .....It's fun... LoL
I'm new to this I dig it.
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Permalink Reply by brian campbell on
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take what you can get just like on the track and hope you don't hit the wall.
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