Obama Orders Chevrolet and Dodge Out Of NASCAR - Car News **APRIL FOOLS**

[James]

Obama Orders Chevrolet and Dodge Out Of NASCAR - Car News

With their racing budgets deemed “unnecessary expenditures,” GM and Chrysler are ordered to cease racing operations at the end of the season.

BY JARED GALL, ILLUSTRATION BY ERIC WOODWARD
April 2009

In a move sure to spark outrage, the White House announced today that GM and Chrysler must cease participation in NASCAR at the end of the 2009 season if they hope to receive any additional financial aid from the government. Companies around the globe—Honda and Audi, to name two—have drawn down racing operations, and NASCAR itself has already felt the pinch in the form of reduced team spending. A complete withdrawal from America’s premier racing series is expected to save more than $250 million between GM and Chrysler, a substantial amount considering the drastic measures being implemented elsewhere.

“Automakers used to operate on the principle of ‘win on Sunday, sell on Monday,’ but the Auto Task Force’s research just doesn’t validate that as true,” said the statement from President Obama.

While fans have decried the Car of Tomorrow for heavily limiting what little personalization the cookie-cutter series had previously allowed to participating manufacturers, and drivers have slammed its brick-like aerodynamics and unpredictable handling, even the governmental oversight committee sees that the full-scale regulation of the cars leaves the manufacturers very little space for research and development.

“NASCAR is a racing series that regulates down to the smallest detail of the cars, where a car badged a Chevrolet or Dodge differs only marginally from a Ford or a Toyota. There’s no technological development to speak of.”

The statement goes on further to say the same demand will be made of Ford if it asks for government assistance.

“In order to receive this money, corporations must demonstrate they will spend it wisely. Racing has been said to improve on-road technology, but frankly, NASCAR almost flaunts its standing among the lowest-tech forms of motorsport. NASCAR is not proven to drive advancements that transfer from the racetrack to the road, and this nation’s way forward does not hinge on decades-old technology. We need new, and we need innovation.”

The President realizes this will be an unpopular call, but stands behind the decision, saying,

“This is an obvious cut to make, but it is not an easy one. This administration is not ignoring the tremendous sentimental value and emotional appeal NASCAR holds for so many Americans. But now is not the time for sentiment and nostalgia; now is a time for decisive financial action. If our automotive industry is to emerge from this recession intact, then these difficult decisions must be made.”

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/motorsports/obama_orders_chevrolet_and_dodge_out_of_nascar_car_news

[240 is Back]

GM:
haha if you don't like it, go ahead and decline his $50 billion handout, you fvckin ingrates.

[Hedgehog]

Finally Obama's actually to show some kind of balls.
Perhaps he realizes it's no popularity contest.
Like someone on this board wrote - you don't eat filet mignon when you're in dire straits. Then you gotta go with noodles.     

[Hugo Chavez]

Finally Obama's actually to show some kind of balls.
Perhaps he realizes it's no popularity contest.
Like someone on this board wrote - you don't eat filet mignon when you're in dire straits. Then you gotta go with noodles.     

sure would like to know why there is a double standard.  Where was he asking for these bank CEO's to take a hike?  insta-bailout for the banks, but GM has to prove themselves?  How about he does the same with the banks?

[Hedgehog]

sure would like to know why there is a double standard.  Where was he asking for these bank CEO's to take a hike?  insta-bailout for the banks, but GM has to prove themselves?  How about he does the same with the banks?

don't start that shit with me.
You know I've been calling for more forceful interventions in the banks since day one even back in the fall.
I've been a staunch supporter of using the Swedish model and I think Krugman is right.

[Hugo Chavez]

don't start that shit with me.
You know I've been calling for more forceful interventions in the banks since day one even back in the fall.
I've been a staunch supporter of using the Swedish model and I think Krugman is right.

I wasn't accusing you of anything.  It came up the other day on a morning talk show I listen to out of Colorado and it struck me when I read your post.  I think we also talked about it a while back here but it kind of faded until this GM stuff came back up.  Just saying he should be hard on them too.

[The Coach]

Finally Obama's actually to show some kind of balls.
Perhaps he realizes it's no popularity contest.
Like someone on this board wrote - you don't eat filet mignon when you're in dire straits. Then you gotta go with noodles.     

Yep, nothing like f**king with the 2nd biggest revenue stream in American sports.........that Obama, what a genius!!

[shootfighter1]

Yep, auto makers are being treated differently than the banks. 

These companies asked for huge sums of money so this is the consequence, the gov can tell them what to do.  This is an important lesson for companies and also a wake up call on the consequences of bailouts.  IMO the gov has the right to dictate some policy if they are keeping the company open with our $.

[The Coach]

Hey Hedge, just out curiosity, do you have any business sense what so ever?

[Bindare_Dundat]

Gee I wonder why the President doesnt hold the same standards to the overlords bank CEO's and AIG?

[Hugo Chavez]

Gee I wonder why the President doesnt hold the same standards to the overlords bank CEO's and AIG?

is there an eco in here

[Hedgehog]

Hey Hedge, just out curiosity, do you have any business sense what so ever?

I don't know. I'll let other be the judge on that.
Why do you think companies getting bailout money should be spending tax payers money on sponsoring sports events and such?

[Soul Crusher]

Gee I wonder why the President doesnt hold the same standards to the overlords bank CEO's and AIG?

This is all about his energy cap and trade tax scheme to place higher taxes on oil and energy.  He wants to end Nascar since it represents everything he is against.  

The man is a communist dictator on the march.  

[Bindare_Dundat]

GM:
haha if you don't like it, go ahead and decline his $50 billion handout, you fvckin ingrates.

Do you think that by helping cover GM's warranties and offering extension after extension on bailout stipulations that this  is fair competition to FORD, which faces many of the same challenges?  

[Decker]

Obama Orders Chevrolet and Dodge Out Of NASCAR - Car News

With their racing budgets deemed “unnecessary expenditures,” GM and Chrysler are ordered to cease racing operations at the end of the season.

...

Thank god someone's come to their sense and curb-stomped this 'sport'.  For you racing fans, try watching traffic.  It's just as engaging a 'sport' and it's a hell of a lot cheaper ticket-wise.

[Decker]

Yep, auto makers are being treated differently than the banks. 

These companies asked for huge sums of money so this is the consequence, the gov can tell them what to do.  This is an important lesson for companies and also a wake up call on the consequences of bailouts.  IMO the gov has the right to dictate some policy if they are keeping the company open with our $.

Is this the difference in bailouts?:

Wall Street gets unconditioned grants of money (avg salary $300,000),

Auto makers get gov. loans that must be repaid with interest (avg salary $57,000 (those damn unions)).

[Soul Crusher]

Thank god someone's come to their sense and curb-stomped this 'sport'.  For you racing fans, try watching traffic.  It's just as engaging a 'sport' and it's a hell of a lot cheaper ticket-wise.

Typical, you want to dictate everyone elses' choices because you personally dont like it.

So much for a persons' right to choose??  

[The Coach]

I don't know. I'll let other be the judge on that.
Why do you think companies getting bailout money should be spending tax payers money on sponsoring sports events and such?

Because the amount of sponsorship money in my guestimation would be reletively small compared to the revenue brought in to the sport which would mean more tax revenue brought into the state and city where the event is being held along with more money into the fed. People see that advertising on the side of a car it would help promt sales for that particular company.

[Bindare_Dundat]

Thanks god someone's come to their sense and curb-stomped this 'sport'.  For you racing fans, try watching traffic.  It's just as engaging a 'sport' and it's a hell of a lot cheaper ticket-wise.

I can't stand any car racing either becasue it's boring as shit, (too me) but I wouldn't want Government dictating what is a sport and what isnt. Whats next? MMA? Boxing? Too violent. Golf? Takes up too much land, could use it for the homeless. Ice skating sports, too much CO2 created running rinks. etc...

[The Coach]

Thank god someone's come to their sense and curb-stomped this 'sport'.  For you racing fans, try watching traffic.  It's just as engaging a 'sport' and it's a hell of a lot cheaper ticket-wise.

So trying to kill the second biggest revenue in sports is going to help?

[Hugo Chavez]

Isn't the only reason they race in the first place is to advertise their brand/car/engine etc...  You wouldn't tell them not to advertise...  I'm not sure the racing portion of GM is the bad part of the business model.  For a long time it's been a way to give a reputation to cars.

Who should be bailing them out is the fucking oil companies, they had a hand in the bad business model of American auto manufactures for decades and now they're just sitting on the side lines with the biggest profits ever realized by an industry, wistling like Alfred E. Neuman, What, Me Worry?

[Decker]

Typical, you want to dictate everyone elses' choices because you personally dont like it.

So much for a persons' right to choose??  

Why pretend?  Nascar/auto racing is bullshit and I like seeing it smacked down.  I'm not trying to dictate anything.  I'm just glad that auto racing is getting a well-deserved boot in the head.

Fucking dork-ass douchebag drivers acting as walking corporate bill-boards driving in a circle for hundreds of miles...screw 'em.

People, read a book.

[Decker]

I can't stand any car racing either becasue it's boring as shit, (too me) but I wouldn't want Government dictating what is a sport and what isnt. Whats next? MMA? Boxing? Too violent. Golf? Takes up too much land, could use it for the homeless. Ice skating sports, too much CO2 created running rinks. etc...

You don't want gov. dictating to private business but handouts to prop up the failing car crews are ok with you?

Private companies that fail and are bought out or taken over don't call the shots any more.

[Decker]

So trying to kill the second biggest revenue in sports is going to help?

Look at the story.  The gov. is not attacking NASCAR.

Without Big Government footing the bill for the failed car companies, they would not be able to play the game.

Or do you believe in unconditional Welfare for millionaire sports figures?

The car companies failed and it's Big Government to the rescue.  It is sadly inappropriate to have dessert before dinner.  And these car companies should not be enjoying their strawberry shortcake.

Christ, I sound like Larry King.

[Bindare_Dundat]

You don't want gov. dictating to private business but handouts to prop up the failing car crews is ok with you?

You should know be better than that by now.