Nothing has been set in stone. IF it goes the F2P route (which is sounding less and less likely), I think that investment will offset content purchases until you've broken even. If it goes the boxed/full price route, that amount will be taken off of the purchase price.
I don't think they're too fussed. Watkins Glen is called Connecticut Hill, despite the fact that it's not even in the same state; WG is in up-state New York.
So its pretty much safe to bury this then, isnt it? If its some major publisher / developer that is getting involved, then I think we can almost be certain that the "realistic" physics concept will be completely scrapped.
Nope. They buy into the game, not the company. For legal reasons they don't call it investing, either. Simply just has the possibility of a return, no contract or anything concrete.