tagged 
F1, HRT, Integrity, Motorsport, Reputation, Virgin
F1, HRT, Integrity, Motorsport, Reputation, Virgin Integrity
Friday, August 20, 2010 at 12:44PM
There a few small words that have large connotations. Integrity, truth, honor, respect, reputation, character, honesty and ethics. I have been well off and poor, famous and infamous, employed and unemployed, but one thing that I always was was respected. Through a lot of trials and difficult situations I have maintained my integrity, preserved my reputation and kept the respect of others. It is worth more than any amount, in fact at one event that was seemingly in trouble and the main sponsor was all over me, I told him "this is only about your money, to me it is my reputation, which is worth much more." He was not pleased with that answer, but it was the truth, his best guarantee that it would succeed was my reputation, and it did. Actually he went bankrupt before the event, so that put things into perspective.
What has this to do with motorsport you ask? Everything. All industries are small worlds of their own, but motorsport is smaller than most, and word travels fast. We all know that this business is like a drug, and unfortunately there are people who will do anything to compete or work in it. I had an e-mail earlier this week asking about an individual and was it OK to do business with that person? In the end your reputation is all you have, guard it well, do not be tempted to risk it for a short term gain. Do any of us want a reputation like a certain German driver?
It is a sign of what is not happening in the motorsport world that most of the news is about the German Round of the World Rally Championship! Rumors continue to abound that Kimi is coming back, but where is there a seat that he would want? Yamamoto, Mr. "My Wallet is Bigger Than Chandook's," is driving again for HRT in Spa. Timo Glock looks in danger of losing his seat to an Argentine Government sponsored driver at Virgin, so Sir Richard's pockets are not as deep as we think., or his arms are short this week.
Force India's legal squabble with Italian wind tunnel Aerolab continues with both sides getting nasty. Talk of impounding cars and equipment when they get to Monza. I have respect for what they have achieved, but you have to wonder about the rumors of financial problems, staff leaving and now this ongoing fight.
What has this to do with motorsport you ask? Everything. All industries are small worlds of their own, but motorsport is smaller than most, and word travels fast. We all know that this business is like a drug, and unfortunately there are people who will do anything to compete or work in it. I had an e-mail earlier this week asking about an individual and was it OK to do business with that person? In the end your reputation is all you have, guard it well, do not be tempted to risk it for a short term gain. Do any of us want a reputation like a certain German driver?
It is a sign of what is not happening in the motorsport world that most of the news is about the German Round of the World Rally Championship! Rumors continue to abound that Kimi is coming back, but where is there a seat that he would want? Yamamoto, Mr. "My Wallet is Bigger Than Chandook's," is driving again for HRT in Spa. Timo Glock looks in danger of losing his seat to an Argentine Government sponsored driver at Virgin, so Sir Richard's pockets are not as deep as we think., or his arms are short this week.
Force India's legal squabble with Italian wind tunnel Aerolab continues with both sides getting nasty. Talk of impounding cars and equipment when they get to Monza. I have respect for what they have achieved, but you have to wonder about the rumors of financial problems, staff leaving and now this ongoing fight.
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