RR. RS.
08-22-03, 07:11 PM
I know that I'm new on this forum and that some can't tolerate long threads, but I have to do one and I hope it isn't too painful.
A lot of people on these kinds of forums have been talking about how the potential new CART will not be the same. The new CART will have too many or maybe all street circuits. Many believe there is little passing on these tight circuits, so the racing is boring in their eyes. Many people believe that the idea of 'MotoRock' is just a gimmick to get people out to the track and party, and that these people will never will never attend other races or watch them on t.v. Still other people see the lack of U.S. drivers in the series and they can't get the hang of watching some of the best drivers from around the world show their skills.
So here's my perspective on the "new" CART.
Their will be more street circuits next season. Why? Because CART does need to bring the message to the masses. The IRL has proven that contrived formula racing on ovals away from the cities doesn't work (yes IRL fans, they have, don't deny it). NASCAR has taken away this country's short and simple attention span for racing (which explains The Dukes of Hazzard being the #1 t.v. show in the early '80's, Jerry Springer, and the high ratings and sold out arena's for professional wrestling). But there still is a large group out there like most of you and my friends that try to expand their minds by reading, maybe playing a musical instrument, and enjoying formula and road racing. I believe that CART will continue with some of their well attended ovals and road courses such as Cleveland, Portland, Milwaukee, Mid-Ohio, Road America, the Mexico events and Montreal, but the street venues will dominate. And the streets can produce good racing if laid out properly. I was at St. Pete this year and the track is wide at many points and fast (the race action in turn one where I was sitting was awesome!).
The 'MotoRock' concept is intriguing. It will bring people to the track with the potential of creating new fans. What I really vision with 'MotoRock' and CART is a Lollapalooza type of feel with sponsorship and marketing working together. I can just see the potential of a Sony, JVC, RCA, Boston Acoustics, Playstation, X-Box and Quicksilver sponsored cars. I can also see bands like Disturbed or Audioslave using Champ Car footage in one of their videos.
As for U.S. born drivers in the series, I think the outlook is looking much better than in the past. Face it folks, to race you need money, so you need sponsorship to get the money, and you need U.S. company sponsorship to get U.S. drivers. I see the new "urban" CART increasing sponsor involvement with the larger metropolitan crowds. The talented group of younger U.S. formula drivers are now out there and making noise (something I didn't see in young U.S. drivers around ten years ago) and now I believe CART team owners are taking notice. If more U.S. drivers create more fans great, but personally I've loved watching Nigel Mansell, Jacques V.,Juan Montoya, Christiano DaMatta and now Sebastian Bourdais strut their stuff.
Well, there's just some of my observations on the near future folks. Creating a new foundation to grow CART across many different types of tracks and places around the world much like the glory days.
Comments? Questions? Insults?
Thanks.
A lot of people on these kinds of forums have been talking about how the potential new CART will not be the same. The new CART will have too many or maybe all street circuits. Many believe there is little passing on these tight circuits, so the racing is boring in their eyes. Many people believe that the idea of 'MotoRock' is just a gimmick to get people out to the track and party, and that these people will never will never attend other races or watch them on t.v. Still other people see the lack of U.S. drivers in the series and they can't get the hang of watching some of the best drivers from around the world show their skills.
So here's my perspective on the "new" CART.
Their will be more street circuits next season. Why? Because CART does need to bring the message to the masses. The IRL has proven that contrived formula racing on ovals away from the cities doesn't work (yes IRL fans, they have, don't deny it). NASCAR has taken away this country's short and simple attention span for racing (which explains The Dukes of Hazzard being the #1 t.v. show in the early '80's, Jerry Springer, and the high ratings and sold out arena's for professional wrestling). But there still is a large group out there like most of you and my friends that try to expand their minds by reading, maybe playing a musical instrument, and enjoying formula and road racing. I believe that CART will continue with some of their well attended ovals and road courses such as Cleveland, Portland, Milwaukee, Mid-Ohio, Road America, the Mexico events and Montreal, but the street venues will dominate. And the streets can produce good racing if laid out properly. I was at St. Pete this year and the track is wide at many points and fast (the race action in turn one where I was sitting was awesome!).
The 'MotoRock' concept is intriguing. It will bring people to the track with the potential of creating new fans. What I really vision with 'MotoRock' and CART is a Lollapalooza type of feel with sponsorship and marketing working together. I can just see the potential of a Sony, JVC, RCA, Boston Acoustics, Playstation, X-Box and Quicksilver sponsored cars. I can also see bands like Disturbed or Audioslave using Champ Car footage in one of their videos.
As for U.S. born drivers in the series, I think the outlook is looking much better than in the past. Face it folks, to race you need money, so you need sponsorship to get the money, and you need U.S. company sponsorship to get U.S. drivers. I see the new "urban" CART increasing sponsor involvement with the larger metropolitan crowds. The talented group of younger U.S. formula drivers are now out there and making noise (something I didn't see in young U.S. drivers around ten years ago) and now I believe CART team owners are taking notice. If more U.S. drivers create more fans great, but personally I've loved watching Nigel Mansell, Jacques V.,Juan Montoya, Christiano DaMatta and now Sebastian Bourdais strut their stuff.
Well, there's just some of my observations on the near future folks. Creating a new foundation to grow CART across many different types of tracks and places around the world much like the glory days.
Comments? Questions? Insults?
Thanks.