Open wheel racing

[DJJSR]

For any Indycar/Champ Car fans............

There's a light at the end of the tunnel. FINALLY, there's a REAL chance that the Champ Car Series and the Indy Racing League will merge!!!!!

Like many people, I used to be a fan of Indy cars. The formation of the IRL changed all that. For the past 10 years or so, we've had these 2 sanctioning bodies in competition with each other, resulting in a watered down sport that nobody really cares about anymore.

There were some rumblings in the past about them getting together, but the battle of the egos never let it happen. Now the Champ Car Series has financial problems that will probably kill the series by the end of the season, and the IRL (Tony George) realizes that the fan base is dwindling. Some of the best drivers have bailed out to NASCAR and they've had trouble even getting 33 cars for the Indy 500. I think last year they filled the balance of the field with back-up cars.

According to Robin Miller (Speed channel), the 2 groups have been talking for a few weeks and he's optimistic that a merger will happen.

I'll keep my ear to the ground and if anyone hears anything please post it here.

Thanks,

[D1sclaimer]

That'd be awesome. I'd start watching this more if this happened.

[s2kx2]

You know this is long overdue in my not so humble opinion. I really miss the days when the CART series had Honda, Toyota, Mercedes, Cosworth power competing in Reynard, Penske, Swift, Lola & Eagle chassis. At least there was a modicum of technical edge play going on and you had a nice blend of street as well as permanent road courses and long and short ovals. I think Tony George and what Champ Car Racing have learned is that they have been acting like spoiled children and if either are going to survive they NEED to merge and get away from this spec series mentality where everyone drives the same car with the same engine. Its boring! I know the excuse is its done to save money, well to hell with that. F-1 wordwide still draws more fans than any other motor sport, just not in this country and it is the most expensive sport on the planet to compete in. I could go on but I don't want to bore you. God I miss the Can- Am series!

Alright I'll get off my soap box now. Sorry guys

[Java Junky]

Amen to the CanAm x2, but if the open-wheelerz're gonna come back into power deal me in.
I may have to start payin' attention to news about them again.
(But when you're done straightenin' this open wheel thing out, d'ya think maybe you could work yer magic on CanAm Don?)
Thanks Don,
Java

[DJJSR]

I know what you mean guys, I miss the Can Am cars too. But if that series never died and the cars continued to evolve, what would the cars be like? Probably the Daytona Prototypes in the Rolex series?

I know, I know, it's not the same, but cars evolve right? Otherwise we'd probably all be driving British iron, trying to get those damn SU's tuned and figuring out the best place to mount the fire extinguisher.

[DJJSR]

Looks like it's a done deal !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From the Sporting News................

Posted: February 22, 2008
Sporting News staff reports

The unification of Indy Racing League and Champ Car World Series is complete, as Champ Car investor Gerald Forsythe signed a contract to merge with the IRL today, the Indianapolis Star reports. IRL spokesman Fred Nation said IRL Founder Tony George and Champ Car investor Kevin Kalkhoven signed their part of the contract Thursday night.
IRL officials said a news conference to announce the details of the deal will take place next week, perhaps at the league's test at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway, which begins Wednesday. "We want to have as positive of a press conference as possible when we do have one," IRL founder Tony George said. "We don't want to have questions without answers." Three Champ Car races (Long Beach, Calif.; Edmonton, Alberta; and Surfers Paradise, Australia) are expected to be added to the IRL's previously-announced schedule of 16 races, although those issues are yet to be resolved, the newspaper reports.

[hammerhead300]

I'd like to see open-wheel racing gain popularity here... I think it's unfortunate that something as boring as NASCAR is wildly popular now, and meanwhile the more exciting forms of racing (Indy, NHRA, etc.) are barely a blip on the radar in comparison.

Oh well. As long as it's televised, popularity's not as big of a deal, I suppose.

[Java Junky]

Ooooooo . . dis is soundin' like it's gonna actually happen. (I'll only allow myself ta get 'cited when I see the cars actually doon the deed.)
Thanks Don.
Java

[bbcricketta]

Originally Posted by hammerhead300

I'd like to see open-wheel racing gain popularity here... I think it's unfortunate that something as boring as NASCAR is wildly popular now, and meanwhile the more exciting forms of racing (Indy, NHRA, etc.) are barely a blip on the radar in comparison.

Oh well. As long as it's televised, popularity's not as big of a deal, I suppose.

i have been around nascar all my life and i am not a fan. boring. they have lot of young fans now. tv, beer, marketing and hype have made them very successful by just turning left. they are excellent marketers. they can certainly play up that bootlegger lore. and it is a great platform from which to sell beer; same as mlb and the nfl. i like fast cars and i appreciate driving skill; i also don't mind sipping a few brews, but i am unable to generate enthusiasm about auto racing, nascar in particular. i'm not belittling anyone that enjoys motor sports; to each his own. i'd just rather drive than watch.

[DJJSR]

Originally Posted by bbcricketta

......but i am unable to generate enthusiasm about auto racing, nascar in particular.

I hear ya BB. I usually watch the first 10 minutes, then either fall asleep or go do something else and try to catch the last 20 laps or so.

I'm a drag racer at heart. If you got some time during the weekend of April 24-27, the Atlanta Dragway is running the NHRA Southern Nationals. If you haven't seen a Top Fuel dragster or Funnycar run recently, THAT'S what does it for me! People that haven't seen it before are usually stunned and/or terrified when they turn them loose. I love it.

[hammerhead300]

Originally Posted by DJJSR

I'm a drag racer at heart. If you got some time during the weekend of April 24-27, the Atlanta Dragway is running the NHRA Southern Nationals. If you haven't seen a Top Fuel dragster or Funnycar run recently, THAT'S what does it for me! People that haven't seen it before are usually stunned and/or terrified when they turn them loose. I love it.

Oh, absolutely! Top Fuel's amazing. Supposedly those cars can generate a 2.9 Richter scale reading when they leave the line. My uncles are big into drag racing (between them they have three Chevy Vegas, a '72 Camaro, and a '55 shoebox, all with highly modified 454-based engines) but sadly they haven't raced for many years... I've been to the track with them as spectators a few times for smaller, localized events, but haven't gotten out to a national. I've seen top fuel rails run though, and even the small-time cars are downright scary.

[philiam]

Been to one Nascar race (Fontana). 3 hours of total
boredom, elbow to elbow with people who think they are stock cars. Open wheel is getting that way. In an effort to make for even racing they have dampened
the creativity that used to make it interesting.

Things like a turbo car, 4 front wheels, 2 engines, etc.
Sure most didn't make it, but they fired the imagination. If Jack Brabham wasn't allowed to enter his rear engined, under powered car way back, they might all be driving front drive roadsters on a curtis chassis today.

[DJJSR]

Originally Posted by philiam

If Jack Brabham wasn't allowed to enter his rear engined, under powered car way back, they might all be driving front drive roadsters on a curtis chassis today.

That would be ok! Hmmm........I wonder if there's a race for vintage Indy cars?

[philiam]

Originally Posted by DJJSR

That would be ok! Hmmm........I wonder if there's a race for vintage Indy cars?

Laguna Seca Historic