Stefan Grand Prix sends equipment to Bahrain

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Ralf himself said he was in the top 3 drivers on the grid a few years ago, it's been a running joke ever since.

EDIT: Tree'd as... :dopey:
 
Rumours are surfacing that VJ Mallya is having issues with his accounts...
 
The joke continues:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83123

Autosport.com
Stefan GP has renewed its efforts to try and get a place in Formula 1, despite seeing its plans to get on the grid this season rejected by the FIA.

Team owner Zoran Stefanovic had worked hard to try and secure a place in F1 this season by using the 2010 Toyota cars, with Jacques Villeneuve and Kazuki Nakajima as drivers.

But despite Team US F1 having failed to get ready in time, the FIA ruled out letting Stefan GP in as replacement - and instead opened up the entry process for new teams.

Now Stefan GP has not only confirmed that it is eyeing one of the slots for next year, the team has also revealed plans to build a Serbian track that he hopes could host F1.

"Stefan GP would like to make a public announcement that the AMCO Corporation and its owner Zoran Stefanovic have today signed an agreement with the Mayor of Stara Pazova, located 25km from Belgrade, Serbia, to build the Stefan Technology Park," said a statement on Stefan GP's newly revamped website about the plans for the 3.5km circuit.

"This will include a racing circuit suitable for the competition of Formula 1, and a technical complex that will serve as Stefan Grand Prix's team headquarters upon completion in two years time."

The statement also said that Stefan GP would: "Like to officially announce our bid for the FIA 2011 Formula 1 world championship."

Team owner Stefanovic said: "I think this is an excellent development for our team, Stara Pazova city, region and country.

"This is proof that we want to put ourselves on the map as a serious high-tech company, and that we are serious about competing in Formula 1 for the long term."

"Bearing in mind that we will soon be on a par with top teams, in terms of facilities and organisation, as Stefan Technology Park looking to be compared with them, we expect many positive improvements in the future."

Stefan GP's website also revealed the drivers that the team held talks with for a potential seat for this year.

As well as confirming Villeneuve and Nakajima, the list included world rally champion Sebastien Loeb, and former F1 drivers Ralf Schumacher, Christian Klien and Takuma Sato.
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I especially love:
"Bearing in mind that we will soon be on a par with top teams, in terms of facilities and organisation, as Stefan Technology Park looking to be compared with them, we expect many positive improvements in the future."
:dunce:
:lol::lol::lol::lol:
 
With Nakajima and Sato they couldn't go wrong!
 
A 3.5 KM racetrack to host a Grand Prix? That's only 2.17 Miles. I thought the minimum length of an F1 racetrack was 2.5 Miles unless you have special dispensation? (Monaco)
 
I thought it was well known now the Stefan GP were a massive fraud that managed to get quite abit of money out of investors for nothing :odd:
 
This guy talks more crap than a WWE wrestler. Didn't his company only have like a couple dollars in profit?
 
Tired Tyres
A 3.5 KM racetrack to host a Grand Prix? That's only 2.17 Miles. I thought the minimum length of an F1 racetrack was 2.5 Miles unless you have special dispensation? (Monaco)
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There are many mistakes in Zoran's statements, its stereotypically bad.

ExigeEvan
I thought it was well known now the Stefan GP were a massive fraud that managed to get quite abit of money out of investors for nothing :odd:
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Indeed, which makes it surprising because of how many publications like Autosport are still taking him seriously. Maybe they are all having a laugh too, because this guy is anything but in the real world.
 
I think that he might be serious. He might not be intending of making much profit out of f1 and might be doing it because he has so much money and likes motorsport. If he was a fraud wouldn't the drivers left, the drivers must have passion for the sport so would prefer to driver somewhere which also did instead of somewhere not serious. I he makes this track then I think it would prove that he is serious because who would spend that amount of money to make a track only to fraudulate a sport and potenically end up bankrupt after paying millions into that sport in the first place. However my worry is that the track might end up like donnington did when that was tried to be put to f1 standard.
 
lbsf1
I think that he might be serious. He might not be intending of making much profit out of f1 and might be doing it because he has so much money and likes motorsport. If he was a fraud wouldn't the drivers left, the drivers must have passion for the sport so would prefer to driver somewhere which also did instead of somewhere not serious. I he makes this track then I think it would prove that he is serious because who would spend that amount of money to make a track only to fraudulate a sport and potenically end up bankrupt after paying millions into that sport in the first place. However my worry is that the track might end up like donnington did when that was tried to be put to f1 standard.
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He has no money (well, not the amount he pretends), it has been proven he is a fraud after the claims his company made, AMCO, were refuted by the German Army and Arianespace.
http://www.f1technical.net/news/14333

Stefan's failure to make the 2010 grid and the quick withdrawal of "support" from Toyota confirmed my initial prediction that Toyota were the only credible company involved in the team and were merely getting involved to make a profit on equipment they otherwise would have had to scrap.

There will be no circuit, there will be no "technology centre". Anyone getting involved with this man is doing so for personal profit or marketing purposes but most certainly not in order to get anywhere in F1 or any other motorsport. That or they are very foolish for not properly researching this man's background, financially or otherwise.

The only reason Nakajima got involved was the Toyota connection - Toyota were merely trying to put their driver somewhere and make some money off their expensive equipment. Especially as now a 2010 F1 design will be worthless due to the large rule changes next year (no double diffusers, etc). Villenueve was probably naive or just using it as marketing for his name to make a few headlines. Bernie was probably using the situation to pressure USF1 into confirming they couldn't make the grid.
The mentions now of Sato, Loeb & co are likely more lies or more people being fooled.

The very idea of someone having enough money and backing from the Serbian government to create a viable motor-racing circuit is well into dream-realm, it is quite amazing the story has lasted this long and that Zoran continues to get press coverage.
I'm also amazed the fan-fare Stefan is getting around the internet - what is endearing about a fraudster other than how laughable the whole thing is? Especially after the mass of criticism USF1 got, now people want to see an even worse outfit enter? :dunce:

I've also just read over on F1 Rejects that the backgroud picture to their current website is also stolen from a discontinued RFactor mod!
 
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Ardius
Indeed, which makes it surprising because of how many publications like Autosport are still taking him seriously.
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It's news, and therefore they have to report it.
 
I love how they have a pic of a Ferrari in the "Partners" section of their site.:lol:

I found this hilarious as well.
 
:lol: Yeah, rather than a fanpage, a facebook account? They need a fanpage, i'd so become a fan just for lolz.
 
PJ-FFL
:lol: Yeah, rather than a fanpage, a facebook account? They need a fanpage, i'd so become a fan just for lolz.
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I was going for the 1 friend part.
 
Justin
I was going for the 1 friend part.
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:lol: That too. I feel sorry for them, why don't I just add them.:lol:
 
My thought is if he was a fraud and didn't have any way of running an F1 team, how is it that toyota didn't know this? I'm sure people can do research into things and say stuff like his company made no money last year or whatever. But does that mean he's broke? What if he has dealing that don't involve his personal business? What if he has government backing like he stated? That would be enough money right there to run a team and to make a race track. If he is lying then let him lie. But if he isn't, it's good for him.
 
interludes
It's news, and therefore they have to report it.
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"Have to"? ludes, there is plenty of news in the world that is never reported. Mr Stefan making more wild claims is not "news".

freshseth83
My thought is if he was a fraud and didn't have any way of running an F1 team, how is it that toyota didn't know this? I'm sure people can do research into things and say stuff like his company made no money last year or whatever. But does that mean he's broke? What if he has dealing that don't involve his personal business? What if he has government backing like he stated? That would be enough money right there to run a team and to make a race track. If he is lying then let him lie. But if he isn't, it's good for him.
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Toyota quite likely didn't even bother to check - they just wanted to sell the design and parts off and make some money.
As for the rest, he is a proven con-man. What more do you want as proof? Why do you want to believe he is telling the truth?
The Serbian government never has and never will have the kind of money we are talking about here just to spend on relatively silly projects like this.

I don't truly have an issue with his lies per se. More I have an issue with people choosing to ignore or accept his blatant lies because he is "endearing". Its giving credibility where there is none.
 
Ardius
"Have to"? ludes, there is plenty of news in the world that is never reported. Mr Stefan making more wild claims is not "news".
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Prove that they're wild claims. For all we know, Stefanovic's determinaton back in Janurary and Febraury attacted attetnion in Serbia and he's got legitimate sponsors and investors lined up.

Plus, Stefan's application is very relevant given that the only other known bidders are Epsilon Euskadi, Durango and a US group called "Cypher" that claims to be submitting an entry (though could possibly be the carcass of USF1).
 
Unfortunately, just the mere fact that he was able to stir up noise in the F1 world, even as a fraud, means that they'll keep reporting on him for some time. If he opens a McDonalds franchise next week, it'll make front page in Autosport.
 
They're not going to make it anyway, Go Prodrive!!!
 
prodrive doesn't want to get in. they won't submit and entry. The rules aren't in favor of them. They wanted the budget cap but didn't get it. Check out the autosport.com article about stefan gp. They have a picture of Stefanovich with governor of a serbian city which looks like they've come to an agreement on something. It's not for certain that he's planning a race track in collaboration with this person, but it lends SOME credibility.
 
interludes
Prove that they're wild claims. For all we know, Stefanovic's determinaton back in Janurary and Febraury attacted attetnion in Serbia and he's got legitimate sponsors and investors lined up.

Plus, Stefan's application is very relevant given that the only other known bidders are Epsilon Euskadi, Durango and a US group called "Cypher" that claims to be submitting an entry (though could possibly be the carcass of USF1).
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I doubt we know all of the entries - remember we didn't know about Manor last time? Its up to the applicants whether they want to make public that they have applied.

If you lot want to believe a proven con-man again, fine. I refuse to believe Stefan has anything at all, there is no "maybe" about it.
Why is it any different now to back when we thought Toyota was backing him? Why would anyone give him money now? He doesn't have anything - he doesn't have an existing race team, he doesn't have a chassis, an engine, drivers....

Not to mention the FIA is not going to let him in after the last fiasco and if there are more credible entries - which, lets be honest, its not hard to look more credible than a con-man with no background in motorsport. Even USF1 and Durango are more credible.
 
interludes
Prove that they're wild claims.
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lopatica.jpg

For reference, that photograph was "taken" in October 2006 at the Belgrade EcoFair, according to the AMCO site, at which AMCO wasn't an exhibitor. The primary reason for this, though I accept there are many, is because AMCO didn't exist until 2008.

Hideous Photoshopping notwithstanding.
 
Famine
For reference, that photograph was "taken" in October 2006 at the Belgrade EcoFair, according to the AMCO site, at which AMCO wasn't an exhibitor. The primary reason for this, though I accept there are many, is because AMCO didn't exist until 2008.

Hideous Photoshopping notwithstanding.
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I'm talking about these latest claims. What if Stefanovic's determination has attracted interest in Serbia, and as a result, he's now got several large - and entirely legitimate - backers to his credit?
 
interludes
I'm talking about these latest claims. What if Stefanovic's determination has attracted interest in Serbia, and as a result, he's now got several large - and entirely legitimate - backers to his credit?
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Yes, I'm sure it's entirely plausible that a man who made up technological connections (ESA, Bundeswehr) and showcased his company's abilities with fraudlent claims and photoshops (like the wind turbine blade above, or the claim that British Formula Ford uses AMCO gearboxes when they almost all use Hewland) has, somehow, attracted millions of dollars in sponsorship and backing.

Perhaps they were impressed by his ability to do all this with one employee and profits of $50 a year. Probably due to the time machine he clearly has.


No-one with any money at all would touch this shyster with a ten foot pole, never mind a ten pound note.
 
And yet he was taken in a picture with the governor of a serbian city with what looks like an agreement to make this race track/technical center. I don't think he's done yet. I'm not saying for certain he is legitimate or not, but we'll have to wait and see. Anyone can make up stories, and anyone can disclaim stories.
 
freshseth83
And yet he was taken in a picture with the governor of a serbian city with what looks like an agreement to make this race track/technical center. I don't think he's done yet. I'm not saying for certain he is legitimate or not, but we'll have to wait and see. Anyone can make up stories, and anyone can disclaim stories.
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The picture was with the Mayor of a city of 18,000 people over 135 square miles(133/mile2). First of if you completely ignore the fact that Mayor's have extremely little power when it comes to projects like building a race track I don't see how a city with that sort of population could afford to build a track. Secondly, it's not hard to lure a politician to an event, they will do anything for PR. Normally with a project like a race track you get support from the state level and even sometimes country level, it's never at the city level though as they don't have control over much of the tax dollars(Typically education and other public services are all they control at the city level).

Keep in mind to that Minneapolis,MN has 390,000 people over only 58 square miles(That's 6,724/mile2).
 
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Famine
No-one with any money at all would touch this shyster with a ten foot pole, never mind a ten pound note.
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As usual, you make excllent points, so I'm not going to argue. Not because I have no rebuttal, but because I sense a circular argument coming up, and they just make my head spin.

There is, however, one thing that stands out: what does Stefanovic possibly have to gain out of all this if he's a con artist? When he had Toyota's backing, you could easily make the argument that it was to get Toyota's money. It was the same with Russell King and QADBAK trying to get currency out of BMW. But now Toyota are gone, and yet Stefanovic is still trying to get into the sport. In order to get any money out of it, he'd have to finish tenth or higher in the final 2011 standings so that he'd be eligible for a cut of the television rights rationed out by FOM. Ninth or tenth is probably the best he could hope for, but the expenses he would rack up would so far out-weigh the income that he wouldn't just be the world's stupidest criminal, but the world's stupidest man - and that would emerge long before his application ever made it to the FIA.
 
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