Toronto In, Nashville Out...

[Chaos]

Toronto In, Nashville Out...

where does one begin? does one start with the grassroots argument being a sham? does one start with the argument that CART in the early 90s was not as evil as it was portrayed by all things Indiana? does one begin the argument that anyone who thought that this was not going to happen was deluding themselves?

[Insomniac]

Perhaps they should get an actual chassis designed for road courses before dumping ovals for road courses.

[opinionated ow]

Perhaps they should get an actual chassis designed for road courses before dumping ovals for road courses.

They should get a chassis for ovals too...

[Andrew Longman]

This is also one more race being turned over to a team owner. Combined with the diminished power that Indy brings to the series TV contract, control of the series, outside of Indy, is shifting where?

Good, bad, or ugly TG is losing his reason and ability to call all the shots.

[Insomniac]

This is also one more race being turned over to a team owner. Combined with the diminished power that Indy brings to the series TV contract, control of the series, outside of Indy, is shifting where?

Good, bad, or ugly TG is losing his reason and ability to call all the shots.

CC finally got it before going belly up. The most important thing is the on track product. No one wants to watch parades. Most don't want to see the same person winning (everyone collectively isn't a fan of only 1 driver/team). Even NASCAR can't get 100% network TV. The BY400 was on ESPN (Arena Bowl was on ABC). They need the on track product and consistent driver lineups. It's their only chance, and 2011 is way too far out to hope you can make it. They need to level the playing field as quickly as possible if they plan to use this spec through 2010.

[dando]

Even NASCAR can't get 100% network TV. The BY400 was on ESPN (Arena Bowl was on ABC).

The Mouse House actually prefers to have the higher profile events on E$PN so that they can justofy higher rates for the cable and DBBS cos. Hence why MNF is on E$PN now. The BY400 had a 4.1 rating, and my guess is that the Arena Bowl struggled to get a 1.0 (based on last year's # of .9).

-Kevin

[Andrew Longman]

It's their only chance, and 2011 is way too far out to hope you can make it. They need to level the playing field as quickly as possible if they plan to use this spec through 2010.

2011 is indeed way too far off. I'm pretty hardcore and I checked out before the end of this season.

Add in that the current formula is way too expensive relative to the sponsor/team value the season creates. I would not be surprised to see several smaller teams to drop out for next season, at least unless the Tonybucks are greatly increased (which will be hard without as much TV revenue).

I also would not be surprised if magically their was a switch to the DP01 to lower the costs, level the playing field, and improve the on track product. Fantasy perhaps, how many owners calling for it would it take? Cottman probably already thinks it a good idea because the DP01 was a lot his idea.

[Insomniac]

The Mouse House actually prefers to have the higher profile events on E$PN so that they can justofy higher rates for the cable and DBBS cos. Hence why MNF is on E$PN now. The BY400 had a 4.1 rating, and my guess is that the Arena Bowl struggled to get a 1.0 (based on last year's # of .9).

-Kevin

The same idiots who paid nearly double what NBC pays for SNF without flex scheduling, 2 playoff games and the Super Bowl every 3 years. Disney is stupid.

[Insomniac]

2011 is indeed way too far off. I'm pretty hardcore and I checked out before the end of this season.

Add in that the current formula is way too expensive relative to the sponsor/team value the season creates. I would not be surprised to see several smaller teams to drop out for next season, at least unless the Tonybucks are greatly increased (which will be hard without as much TV revenue).

I also would not be surprised if magically their was a switch to the DP01 to lower the costs, level the playing field, and improve the on track product. Fantasy perhaps, how many owners calling for it would it take? Cottman probably already thinks it a good idea because the DP01 was a lot his idea.

Do you think Cottman has any pull? The money might be better spent going to the DP01 with Honda turbos, but haven't most been sold off by now? Personally, it would be a good move and go to the next formula in 2012. Of course, I'd be shocked if Barnhart had the foresight and whether TG would agree to it.

[swift]

I also would not be surprised if magically their was a switch to the DP01 to lower the costs, level the playing field, and improve the on track product. Fantasy perhaps, how many owners calling for it would it take? Cottman probably already thinks it a good idea because the DP01 was a lot his idea.

:cry: but, but... the new formula HAS to coincide with the brickyard's 100th birthday!:tony:

:cry:...and just think about all that hard work done by the "College for Creative Studies'" students to design the IndyCar™ of the future. It would hurt their feelings if we didn't adopt their designs and just went with a traditional open-wheel car shape.

[SurfaceUnits]

No Las Vegas for Indy Comedy Series in '09

The IndyCar Series will announce its entire 2009 schedule on Wednesday, but the Las Vegas Motor Speedway will not be a part of it.

Indy Racing League officials said last month they were interested in ending the 2009 season at LVMS, but an agreement couldn't be worked out.

The IRL wanted to use the 1.3-mile road course outside of Turn 1 in the LVMS parking lot instead of the 1.5-mile oval that seats 150,000 spectators.

Officials for Speedway Motorsports Inc., the parent company for LVMS, had no interest in using the road course for the IndyCar event and IRL officials didn't want to use the oval track.

"We will continue to keep the Las Vegas facility on our radar screen for the future," said IRL vice president John Griffin. "We have open lines of communication with them."

"We are pleased the IRL selected three SMI facilities," Gossage said. "But we're very disappointed they didn't want the benefits they could have received from New Hampshire and Las Vegas.

"This had nothing to do with sanctioning fees. They were not interested in New Hampshire and only wanted to run the club-racing road course at Las Vegas instead of one of the most outstanding oval tracks in the country. We're weren't prepared to accept that," Gossage said.

[Andrew Longman]

Do you think Cottman has any pull?

Dunno. But he has some and TG is seeming to have less. He can keep paying team subsidies to drive old Dallaras or teams can say they'd rather pay less for a fresh spec/chassis DP01 now.

I don't know what happened to those chassis but there is nothing to keep Panoz from making more. In fact the IP for the design may now actually belong to TG.

[FCYTravis]

Oh my God, the IRL wanted to use the club-racing road circuit at Las Vegas? :confused::shakehead:eek:

[cameraman]

Oh my God, the IRL wanted to use the club-racing road circuit at Las Vegas? :confused::shakehead:eek:

That track isn't anywhere near up to spec for an open wheel race, what the hell are they thinking?

[chop456]

That track isn't anywhere near up to spec for an open wheel race, what the hell are they thinking?

They're not up to spec for an open wheel series. :tony:

[emjaya]

Dunno. But he has some and TG is seeming to have less. He can keep paying team subsidies to drive old Dallaras or teams can say they'd rather pay less for a fresh spec/chassis DP01 now.

I don't know what happened to those chassis but there is nothing to keep Panoz from making more. In fact the IP for the design may now actually belong to TG.

DP01 or DP01/mkII? :gomer:

[stroker]

That track isn't anywhere near up to spec for an open wheel race, what the hell are they thinking?

Oh, hell, that's easy. Ovals = carnage. Road courses = less carnage.

[Andrew Longman]

That track isn't anywhere near up to spec for an open wheel race, what the hell are they thinking?

The oval didn't attract fans previously for both CC and IRL. The merger isn't likely to fix that. The track also has since been reconfigured with higher banking, which may deem it (by teams, not the track owner) less suitable for open wheel racing.

Meanwhile the downtown race last year looked to easily outdraw the oval races at LVMS.

Finally, from a support race perspective, they can more easily bring in a host of other series (Lights, Atlantics, FBMW, Speed Challenge, etc.) to a road course than on ovals which builds up the three day event better.

I think they like the LV market but don't want the hassle and cost of putting the street race back together.

[Andrew Longman]

DP01 or DP01/mkII? :gomer:

Just make sure it has a turbo in it and not the offensive loud crap they have now.

I'm sure they'd have pee on it some way to make it their own though.

[pchall]

That track isn't anywhere near up to spec for an open wheel race, what the hell are they thinking?

Has the IRL Brain Cell Trust ever thought anything out completely? :yuck:

[SurfaceUnits]

I'm sure they'd have pee on it some way to make it their own though.they have alot of barn doors lying around

[SurfaceUnits]

2009 IndyCar Schedule - No Australia

[devilmaster]

Oh, hell, that's easy. Ovals = carnage. Road courses = less carnage.

Not necessarily with these bunch of yahoos....

[Chief]

2009 IndyCar Schedule - No Australia
A horrific mIndycentric mistake.....who apparently believe world-class racing occurs in Newton, IA.

IMS is full of moronic dolts led by FTG. I'm waiting for the media to turn against them idiots as they are mincing and devaluing CART/CCWS legacy each day. Pretty soon there'll be nothing left squander...

[SurfaceUnits]

they are operating under the delusion that there is a north american market for their crap. how's that merfication going?

[G.]

so you don't have to.


The 2009 IndyCar Series schedule:
Date Track Layout
Sun 5-Apr Streets of St. Petersburg 1.8-mile street course
Sun 19-Apr Streets of Long Beach 1.968-mile street course
Sun 26-Apr Kansas Speedway 1.5-mile oval
Sun 24-May Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2.5-mile oval
Sun 31-May The Milwaukee Mile 1.0-mile oval
Sat 6-Jun * Texas Motor Speedway 1.5-mile oval
Sun 21-Jun Iowa Speedway .875-mile oval
Sat 27-Jun * Richmond International Raceway .75-mile oval
Sun 5-Jul Watkins Glen International 3.4-mile road course
Sun 12-Jul Streets of Toronto 1.721-mile street course
Sun 26-Jul Edmonton City Centre Airport 1.973-mile airport course
Sat 1-Aug * Kentucky Speedway 1.5-mile oval
Sun 9-Aug Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 2.258-mile road course
Sun 23-Aug Infineon Raceway 2.245-mile road course
Sat 29-Aug * Chicagoland Speedway 1.5-mile oval
Sun 6-Sep The Raceway at Belle Isle Park 2.906-mile street course
Sat 19-Sep Twin Ring Motegi 1.5-mile oval
Sun 11-Oct Homestead-Miami Speedway 1.5-mil oval

* - night race
Schedule subject to change.

[Insomniac]

Bye-Bye Australia.

[Wally]

And the vision continues.....:shakehead

[cameraman]

I think they like the LV market but don't want the hassle and cost of putting the street race back together.

Have you ever seen the "road course" at LVMS? It would be far less work to set up the street race than try to bring that joke up to spec.

[Corner5]

They sold Champ Car for that?

:shakehead

Edmonton says the Irl is too loud.

[DagoFast]

Bye-Bye Australia.


Lucky Australians! :D

[DagoFast]

Edmonton says the Irl is too loud.

Wait until they get glasses!

[Andrew Longman]

Have you ever seen the "road course" at LVMS? It would be far less work to set up the street race than try to bring that joke up to spec.

No, but at LVMS they wouldn't have to worry about closing streets, bothering casinos, actually collecting tickets, tire barriers burning, and the like.

Don't make me try to defend a road race at LVMS. I can't.

[Gnam]

IRL officials didn't want to use the oval track.
WTF? Now I've heard everything.

Schedule Observations:
1. Indy is not the only race in May. Sacreliege?
2. (1) month gap between Kansas and Indy :gomer:
3. (1) week break between Canadian events. :confused:
4. Looks like they left room for Surfers after Japan. Is Ansan/China available?

At least I know what I'm not doing next summer.

[oddlycalm]

Edmonton says the Irl is too loud.
No problem, just hang some giant fart can mufflers on 'em just like Honda owners do on their street cars....:tony:

oc

[dando]

so you don't have to.


The 2009 IndyCar Series schedule:
Date Track Layout
Sun 5-Apr Streets of St. Petersburg 1.8-mile street course
Sun 19-Apr Streets of Long Beach 1.968-mile street course
Sun 26-Apr Kansas Speedway 1.5-mile oval
Sun 24-May Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2.5-mile oval
Sun 31-May The Milwaukee Mile 1.0-mile oval
Sat 6-Jun * Texas Motor Speedway 1.5-mile oval
Sun 21-Jun Iowa Speedway .875-mile oval
Sat 27-Jun * Richmond International Raceway .75-mile oval
Sun 5-Jul Watkins Glen International 3.4-mile road course
Sun 12-Jul Streets of Toronto 1.721-mile street course
Sun 26-Jul Edmonton City Centre Airport 1.973-mile airport course
Sat 1-Aug * Kentucky Speedway 1.5-mile oval
Sun 9-Aug Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 2.258-mile road course
Sun 23-Aug Infineon Raceway 2.245-mile road course
Sat 29-Aug * Chicagoland Speedway 1.5-mile oval
Sun 6-Sep The Raceway at Belle Isle Park 2.906-mile street course
Sat 19-Sep Twin Ring Motegi 1.5-mile oval
Sun 11-Oct Homestead-Miami Speedway 1.5-mil oval

* - night race
Schedule subject to change.

RIP, Roar by the Shore. :(

-Kevin

[Don Quixote]

RIP, Roar by the Shore. :(

-Kevin Its been dead and buried for two years.

[Insomniac]

RIP, Roar by the Shore. :(

-Kevin

And that was my favorite track by far.

[dando]

Its been dead and buried for two years.

Well, they raced there last year. :(

-Kevin

[rabbit]

RIP, Roar by the Shore. :(

-Kevin

:cry::flame::thumdown:

[Accipiter]

No Cleveland + No Road America + No Surfer's Paradise = No Good
:irked::mad::flame:

Not that I want to see these cars on those tracks, but there is the remote possibility for the future that there could be good cars again.

[SurfaceUnits]

what's kashkow gonna do if no home race for his backer?

[manic mechanic]

They sold Champ Car for that?

:shakehead

Edmonton says the Irl is too loud.


No problem, just hang some giant fart can mufflers on 'em just like Honda owners do on their street cars....:tony:

oc

FWIW, my Vegas GP contacts alluded to this, and that is why the downtown course was not ever on the table; They didn't like the "fart-can" sounds either.

Makes my heart happy that they've finally decided to clean up downtown Vegas!!!! Even the casual fan knows that a Dallara can't hold a candle to a DP-01, visually OR in an auditory sense.

manic

As to the '09 schedule: Change every venue in June and it's not all that bad... Give us back Portland, turn South to Seca for Father's Day, and head for Burke at the end of the month and you have a winner.

...now if they will give us a competitive and entertaining package to watch... that is another deal.

[swift]

They got Long Beach for '09. btw, Congratulations Justin!

http://www.geocities.com/icr2@rogers.com/wilsonLBGP.jpg
July 31 article, Dave Lewandowski (http://www.indycar.com/news/?story_id=12184)

[Napoleon]

RIP, Roar by the Shore. :(

-Kevin

I wish everyone would write them and ask them to bring ALMS there.

info@grandprixofcleveland.com