I hear from a pretty reliable source that K&N won't renew with Abel Ibarra.
I guess being cool and fast aren't enough. I'ts a shame, if indeed it's true. I'd
like to think it was a mutual parting and he has big plans. Time will tell.

 

look how far he got without (before) them....
moving this thread out of here too...

 

It would be kind of sad if they did, can't say I wouldn't blame them though, he hasn't won $hit in a long time. I remember when K&N was going to sponsor him there was high hopes and he was unbeatable, now with all the rules, regulations and other associated bull$hit involved, it's been much harder for rotaries to dominate the scene like they use to. With the possible exception of all motor of course. I remember the good old days when we had Adam, Ari, and Abel tearing it up for us.

 

I'm not posting this for anything more than possible info. I hope and wish for the best
for him and all rotorheads. Lord knows I've paid my dues. I want nothing more than
total rotary dominance. Cubes should be the standard, not theory.

 

I hope that this isn't true, BUT if it is, I wouldn't be surprised. Abel has barely been qualifying, nevermind winning races the past 2 seasons. Unfortunately this isn't good for the rotary community, it'll be hard for him to compete at this level without any main sponsor, I hope that he can get another sponsor very soon if this is the situation.

 

Hey No Stock
I bet you really do have some good reliable sources but I can tell you one thing that I have even better sources that can prove you wrong. If they would of dropped him they would have done it last year. He is making a comeback for 2005.

!!!!!PUROROTARY!!!!!

 

I hope you are right. I met Able last year at a Nopi race, he was
very nice and willing to share info. As for my lead- not rock solid
but still pretty reliable. Again, I hope it's proven wrong.

 

Hey 13BNut, I hope you're right as well....last Fall Nationals @ Etown, NJ Abel was under great pressure from the K&N folks.....because they were there scouting the rest of the cars/teams looking for possible future sponsors.
Explains why Abel did his best that day....running 6's and 204mph.

Those 2JZ motors are now running 6.5's @ over 210mph and let's not forget Papadakis NSX motor powered Civic running 215mph very recent.

JD

 

He truly isn't worried about getting dropped by K&N but getting RX8 to run at its full potential which is really fast. My sources say that he is really anxious to get his car back from JAPAN to test soon. He even said that he will test in our own home track Irwindale Speedway.

 

Time Will Tell............

 

Abel is looking for another sponser. Read his interview on rotorynews.com

 

Yes, he's looking for a major sponsor to replace K&N for this year.

I guess his comeback plans were simply way to late !!!!

This is SAD !!!! It's gonna be hard for him to get a big sponsor now.....

JD

 

i think he'll be able to pull out another big sponsor.......He was one of the first...

 

I know it's just a shell, but ever since he went to the RX8 platform, his performance has suffered... something to think about?

 

Not really, more like ever since he went 20B

 

I think it will be an uphill battle for him; unless he starts posting some IMPRESSIVE and CONSTANT numbers.

 

I thought he hit 6.7 in his rx8 shell. Thats not good enough?

I heard him say his car is built for 6.2's in the rotorynews interview

 

I hope the very best for Abel. He's basically our only rotary representative at the quartermile besides Jesus Padilla. I root for him to get the money that he needs to keep up with Papadakis and all these other guys with strong sponsorship.

 

Once and only once, and it is not good enough when everybody else in the class is running the same 6.7 on a daily basis

 

I really hope he gets some major sponsorship he's gonna need it.

 

What do you mean not good enough? Should still be good enough to get a sponsor. Others have sponsors and run the same times so whats your point? It was hard for him to get good money when he was on top of his game.

 

What does it takes to loose a sponsor? Think about that


No, setting a world rotary record is not good enough, when the class record is 2 tenth faster and over 10MPH faster, not only that but the rest of the class DO run Abel's fastest time on a daily basis.

Who said that the others run the same time? have you been following the sason at all? Check race by race, and you will understand. He needs to run consistent 6.8's in order to be competitive (and that is based on last year numbers).

 

FIne KNOFS he sucks ok. He should be fired. Infact I think I will go slash his tires in the garage.

 

Don't be such an extremist

Nobody said that he sucks, besides even if he did; you shouldn't be slashing anybodys tire

On any case, it is the hard truth, why deny it? Hopefully, he will be able to race consistently this year

 

He may have not had a good year but to tell you the truth, I would rather see him out there running not so well but trying than not running at all.

Each time I am at the track I enjoy seeing that car, running good or not.,

Anthony