There is nothing worse than a armchair quarterback. It's a guilty pleasure to presuppose everything and think you can do better than the professionals. I know things are more complicated than what they seem. That said, as an observer, this is eight things I would like to see USF1 do.
Peter and Ken, feel free to steal ideas.
1: Let your actions speak louder than your press releases: A photo a car passing a crash test will do more than a thousand interviews of Peter Windsor trying to put out a wildfire of doubt. Even if it isn't the final design, it will show that you guys are making progress.
2: Get a on-line team store going: It was the one glaring thing that was missing from the initial team website. People love paying too much money for shirts, coffee mugs, mouse pads, ect with logos on them. Get on the horn with your clothing partners at Alpinestars about this.
3: Get some Americans in the pitlane: As an outside observer, USF1 looks more like Windsor-American racing. Americans might designing the car but so far, none are to be seen in the pitlane. Announcing an American race day engineer or two might do the trick.
4: Get any type of sponsorship deal arranged: I know that statement is simplistic. It takes a lot of time and effort to get companies to sponsor a race team, especially in these tough economic times. However, there is opportunity out there. One of them is the company that bought out Mr. Hurley's company, Google. Something needs to be seen on the sponsorship front. Even if it is a relatively minor sponsor.
5: Make your high-manufacturing credentials a selling point: One of the things about auto sports in general is the industry does a terrible job telling their story to the public. One of the things that Formula One can show to America is the cutting edge of manufacturing. With Boeing slowly moving into South Carolina and with the auto sports industry in Charlotte, the Carolina area is slowly becoming the hotbed for American manufacturing. USF1 can be the face this new revolution, if it can tell its' story.
6: Have a one-on-one with Bernie and tell him to shut up: Formula One is the only sport I have ever seen where the head of the sport so willingly throws people under the rug like Bernie does. Twice he has come out and caste doubt on USF1 and the other new teams. I don't care if it might be true or not, the fact that the head of the sport so willingly cast doubt on people in his sport is ridiculous.
7: Sign Johnathan Summerton and Alexander Rossi as test drivers right now. American racing fans need carrots for the future. We know we are not going to get two American drivers this year.I know these guys really don't bring in money, but it will confirm the commitment you made so many months ago about bring American talent into the sport.
8: Sell on the team's on-line store, a "USF1" branded toaster. If you haven't seen the Midweek Motorsports videos on USF1, here they are. It is a little harsh, especially towards Peter. I would love it if they took it on the chin and turn this around to sell some product on the team's website. Bring on the two slot USF1 toaster!
So what are some other ideas for USF1, please leave your idea in the comments.
