CCWS bought part of the Denver GP

[cameraman]

Centrix Financial struck a deal last week with the series-sanctioning body, and Champ Car is now an ownership partner with Centennial businessman Robert Sutton, Centrix CEO and owner of Sutton International Motorsports.

The deal stems from the business struggles of Centrix, the title sponsor of the 1.65-mile street race around the Pepsi Center since 2003. Last month, Centrix announced it had cut 30 percent of its workforce and was considering backing out of its race sponsorships.

"Centrix came to us and said, 'Work with us this year and help us make sure this race is not affected with (our business problems),"' Champ Car president Dick Eidswick said. "We have agreed to help out. That means we will make sure the marketing dollars get spent the way they're supposed to get spent to have a first-class event."

http://www.denverpost.com/motorsports/ci_4028977

Centrix is in a world of hurt, so this does not come as a surprise.

[race chica]

That means we will make sure the marketing dollars get spent the way they're supposed to get spent to have a first-class event

That sounds a little harsh

[cameraman]

No, just realistic. Centrix is in no financial condition to promote a race. The powers that be have spent the last several years building up the Denver race to make it successful, losing momentum now would be a disaster. They are doing what needs to be done.

[oddlycalm]

No, just realistic. Centrix is in no financial condition to promote a race. The powers that be have spent the last several years building up the Denver race to make it successful, losing momentum now would be a disaster. They are doing what needs to be done. Yup, if they want to be there long term they have to maintain continuity. We all saw what the "sanctioning fee or piss off" approach did for CART.

Hope this means we will see the same level of commitment to building RA back to what it once was as well.

oc

[patski]

Yup, if they want to be there long term they have to maintain continuity. We all saw what the "sanctioning fee or piss off" approach did for CART.

Hope this means we will see the same level of commitment to building RA back to what it once was as well.

oc
Yes, We can HOPE this commitment does apply to RA also.

[Andrew Longman]

No, just realistic. Centrix is in no financial condition to promote a race. The powers that be have spent the last several years building up the Denver race to make it successful, losing momentum now would be a disaster. They are doing what needs to be done.

As much as it would be a good sign for CC to have events run by third parties, getting more involved also keeps them honest and close to what it actually takes to make the events work.

It is exactly the opposite of the CART "pay or leave" approach. In time let's hope they don't need to be as involved, but let's also hope they don't forget the lessons learned

[Chief]

Eidswick isn't President of CCWS, Stevie Johnson is.