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Tony George: Indy 500 will never be what it
once was In this AP
article Tony George, the man whose vision for Indy Car racing has
driven the sport to the brink of destruction says, "It's obvious that we're
(the Indy 500) not what we were in the '70s," said Tony George, president of
Indianapolis Motor Speedway and founder of the Indy Racing League. "Why aren't
we? I don't think anyone has the answer to that. I don't." [Editor's Note:
Duh, You want an answer Tony, we'll give you one - the day you started the IRL
and split the sport of Indy Car racing in two, was the day you killed it.]
The article goes on to say - George doesn't seem concerned. If anything, he
appears to have accepted that the Indy 500 will never be the event it once
was. Those days are over. Get used to it. "Things change, times change," the
speedway owner said. "We don't have any regrets." [Editor's Note:
There you have it folks, Tony's answer to what he has done - "Things change,
times change, we don't have any regrets." How do you respond to such a
"who cares" attitude? U-N-B-E-L-I-E-V-A-B-L-E. And this is the
leadership Toyota and Honda are putting all their money behind?]
5/28/04
ESPN International brings Indy 500 huge
distribution[Editor's Note: ESPN
International does a first class job. Champ Car needs distribution like this.
They used to have it, but instead told them to take a hike.] ESPN will
distribute the 88th Indianapolis 500, the world's most prestigious auto race,
to the largest worldwide television audience in the history of the event, said
Mark S. Reilly, ESPN's vice president and general manager of international
sales.
The green flag will fall on the 33-car starting field of the Indianapolis 500
at 11 a.m. (EST, local time) Sunday, May 30 at the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway.
ESPN, which is the exclusive worldwide television representative of the Indy
Racing League® IndyCar® Series and the Indianapolis 500, will televise the
Indianapolis 500 live to 149 countries and territories outside of the United
States via its affiliated networks in Africa, Asia, Australia, Latin America,
New Zealand and the Middle East.
ESPN is also responsible for the global syndication of the Indianapolis 500
for broadcast in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan,
Mexico, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. In addition, ESPN has reached
an agreement with Eurosport, the most widely available channel in Europe,
reaching more than 95 million homes and 250 million viewers in 54 countries,
to televise the Indianapolis 500 on same-day delay.
In the United States, the Indianapolis 500 will be telecast live to a
nationwide audience on Disney-owned ABC. When combined with ESPN's
international distribution efforts, the estimated worldwide total for the
Indianapolis 500 will reach 205 countries and more than 420 million households
worldwide - a new record for a third consecutive year.
"To have the largest international television audience in Indy 500 history is
a testament to the appeal of this great race," said Joie Chitwood,
Indianapolis Motor Speedway senior vice president of business affairs. "With a
field of great American and international racers, the Indy 500 has once again
demonstrated why it is called 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.'
5/28/04
Disgusted with anti-Champ Car media A
reader writes, Dear Autoracing1, Thanks for the great coverage of things that
are racing. I was just reading my new Sports Illustrated and in the back was a
story about Sam Hornish Jr. In the article there was a reference as to why he
was in the IRL. The author stated this "But the battle between CART and IRL is
finally over." It went on to say that "yet few observers expect OWRS to
survive, and most believe the sport will soon be under one umbrella. "That's
the first step in growing our series," says Penske." I know that this may be
out of context but I think it stated the true intention of the IRL. I am a
little bummed out that SI would put such a spin on it. I don't normally write
letters to places but you and your staff seem to know what real racing could
be and are not afraid to say it. Thank you for letting me get some of
this frustration about all the negative press about Champ Cars out of me, you
helped to make my day. Keep up the good work and have a fantastic
weekend. From the prairies of South Dakota, Wyatt White Horse
Dear Wyatt, You must understand that the oval track cartel get to many of
these writers and plant story ideas in their head and they run with them.
They are like sheep, not intelligent enough to figure out what is really going
on with the split, i.e. the oval track cartel's intent to put Champ Car out of
business and further monopolize American motorsports. It doesn't
matter much really. The IRL has stepped on their own toes and it's just
a matter of time before the house that George built comes tumbling down like a
deck of cards. They have pissed off the CART/Champ Car fans who will
never support them, they have pissed off the Mexicans by taking Fernández away
from their Champ Car races in Monterrey and Mexico City, they pissed off the
Canadians when they shafted Paul Tracy out of his Indy win, and they pissed
off the oval dirt trackers who supported them because they hated everything
about CART and have watched the IRL morph into CART. They are lost and
wandering aimlessly trying to figure out what to do about the Energizer Bunny
called Champ Car that keeps going, and going, and going.....That is why ticket
sales are so far off at Indy, attendance at most races is largely giveaways
and their TV ratings continue to plummet. The fan support just isn't there,
regardless of what all their paid puppets lead you to believe with their
rhetoric. Everyone from CART who is now in the IRL is there for one of two
reasons - they were either CART rejects who could never win a race (and still
can't now that the old CART teams have moved into the IRL) or they were paid
big money, and we do mean big money, to jump ship. You must understand
that much of their negative rhetoric is simply washing the hand that feeds
them in support of those who want to see Champ Car dead. Mark C.
5/28/04
Paul Newman bashes the IRL
This Dallas Morning News
article says, Paul Newman is one of the world's most
respected actors, but this is no act. His deep hatred for IRL
founder Tony George continues unabated after nine years, the last
time Newman came to the Indy 500. He makes no attempt to hide his
bitterness. Newman rails against the IRL at every opportunity. In an
April appearance on CNN, he challenged the IRL attendance figures
from its season opener in Miami. "Two very reliable reports said
they had 28,000, but 20,000 were free tickets," Newman said. "And
then I had another report that 18,000 people were there, but 4,000 were
paying customers. The rest were freebies." Newman made a recent
guest appearance on Speed Channel, again taking his shots at the
IRL: "The IRL tried to kill CART in the courts, and the courts threw
them out," he said. "Now they are trying to do it through buying
owners and paying tremendous sums of money to get people to switch
to the IRL. "CART had 2.6 million spectators last year – more than
twice what the IRL had. And the [Champ Car] fans are angry. At Long
Beach, there were 80,000 fans. At the first two IRL races this year,
there was nobody."
5/28/04
Denver GP Schedule announced
Organizers of the 2004 Centrix Financial Grand Prix of Denver
announced the race's schedule Thursday. The open-wheels race will be
held Sunday, Aug. 15, earlier than its usual Labor Day weekend slot.
The event's 1.65-mile street course runs around downtown Denver's
Pepsi Center. This is the race's third year, and the second year
it's been sponsored by Denver-based auto financial services firm
Centrix Financial LLC.
Friday, Aug. 13
8:30 a.m.-9 a.m. -- BMW Practice
9:15 a.m.-9:45 a.m. -- Atlantic Practice
10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. -- Champ Car Practice
11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. -- Trans-Am Practice
1:15 p.m.-1:45 p.m. -- BMW Practice
2 p.m.-3 p.m. -- Champ Car Qualifying
3:15 p.m.-3:45 p.m. -- Atlantic Qualifying
4 p.m.-5 p.m. -- Champ Car Fan Appreciation Activity (All-driver
autograph session in paddock area)
4 p.m.-4:30 p.m. -- Trans-Am Qualifying
4:45 p.m.-5:15 p.m. -- BMW Qualifying #1
5:30 p.m.-6:15 p.m. -- Colorado Vintage Race Practice Saturday, Aug. 14
8:30 a.m.-9 a.m. -- BMW Qualifying #2
9:15 a.m.-9:45 a.m. -- Trans-Am Final Practice
10 a.m.-11:15 a.m. -- Champ Car Practice
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. -- Atlantic Final Qualifying
1:45 p.m.-2:45 p.m. -- Champ Car Qualifying
3 p.m.-3:45 p.m. -- BMW Race #1
4:15 p.m.-5:30 p.m. -- Trans-Am Race
5:45 p.m.-6:15 p.m. -- Colorado Vintage Race Qualifying
6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. -- Rock-n-Roar Concert, Universal Lending
Pavilion Sunday, Aug. 15
8 a.m.-8:15 a.m. -- Atlantic Warm-up
8:30 a.m.-8:45 a.m. -- BMW Warm-up
9 a.m.-9:30 a.m. -- Champ Car Warm-up
10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. -- Atlantic Race
1 p.m.-3 p.m. - Third Annual Centrix Financial Grand Prix of Denver
3:30 p.m.-4:15 p.m. -- BMW Race #2
4:30 p.m.-5:15 p.m. -- Colorado Vintage Race
5/28/04
Indy 500 fading fast
This Mercury News
article says, Has any major sports competition lost more
luster than the Indianapolis 500? Once the most popular event in its
sport, Indy might not even be the most-watched auto race Sunday. For
the past two years, NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 on Fox beat the Indy 500
on ABC, although the two races don't compete head-to-head. The
ratings margin was 5.1 to 4.8 in 2002, and 4.7 to 4.6 last year,
with one ratings point equaling 1.08 million homes. Twelve years
ago, 14.1 million viewers watched the Indy 500. That number plunged
to 6.7 million last year. The Daytona 500 permanently passed the
Indy 500 as America's most-watched auto race in 1996. The ratings
confirm not only rising interest in NASCAR, but also diminished
interest in open-wheel racing. Even so, ABC on Thursday extended its
IRL and Indy 500 contracts through 2009.
5/28/04 Formula BMW
Formula BMW USA's first race ever
The face of open-wheel racing in North America is set to change this
holiday weekend as the first two rounds of the inaugural Formula BMW
USA Championship take the green flag at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville,
Conn. "It is fitting that Formula BMW USA begins on Memorial Day
Weekend," said Alex Schmuck, Formula BMW USA Manager.
"Traditionally, it is a very important weekend for motorsports and
the unofficial start of the summer. For Formula BMW USA to begin our
summer season on the same weekend as the Indianapolis 500 and, this
year, the European Grand Prix is wonderful and completely
appropriate. As Formula BMW has done in Germany, Asia and the United
Kingdom we begin our own, new tradition, this weekend." Sixteen
young drivers will line up for the first standing start of the
14-race season on Saturday, May 29. The second race will be held on
Monday, May 31.
5/28/04
Indy 500 popular with old men
The following presents select demographic Nielsen ratings for IRL’s
Indianapolis 500 on ABC and NASCAR Nextel Cup’s Coca-Cola 600 on
Fox, all charted over the past three years (THE DAILY). Note
how popular Indy is with men over 50 meaning the only Demographic
that still really follows it are the people who became fans of
it when it was in its former glory with Champ Cars.
INDY 500 vs. COCA-COLA 600: DEMOGRAPHIC
RATINGS
————INDY 500————
————COCA-COLA
600————
DEMO
2003
2002
2001
2003
2002
2001
M 18-34
2.2
1.7
2.6
3.3
2.8
3.6
M 18-49
3.1
3.3
4.4
4.4
4.7
5.3
M 25-54
3.7
4.1
5.6
5.1
5.2
6.2
M 35-64
4.7
5.5
6.8
5.7
6.1
6.7
M 50+
6.0
6.4
7.0
5.7
5.1
5.6
W 18-49
1.3
1.4
2.2
2.2
2.2
3.2
W 25-54
1.7
1.8
2.5
2.5
2.6
3.3
5/28/04
Lowdown on Champ Car testing at RA
Seems to be some confusion out there about the testing at Road
America next week. Here is the deal. It's Monday, Tuesday, &
Wednesday. Tuesday will be the busy day. Some teams will be there
Monday & Tuesday and some teams will be there Tuesday & Wednesday.
Every team except PKV Racing will be passing through Road America on their way to Milwaukee. PKV Racing may show up on Wednesday.
5/28/04
Kalkhoven: Says IRL is failing, and
killing everything it touches This Portland
Oregonian
article says, Although nothing is in writing, the Champ Car
World Series appears intent on returning to Portland in 2005. Kevin
Kalkhoven, one of Champ Car's three owners, made a special trip to
attend a Thursday news conference designed to reassure fans and
potential sponsors that the June 20 race at Portland International
Raceway does not signal the end of a 21-year tradition.
Driver Jimmy Vasser , who first competed in Portland 29 years ago in
the quarter-midget Grand Nationals at Alpenrose, talked of "a lot of
great memories in Portland, and hopefully a lot more to come."
Portland mayor Vera Katz said, "We are not going to lose this race,"
and thanked Champ Car for having enough faith in the city to promote
the 2004 race and risk losing millions of dollars. Various civic
officials talked about the race's economic impact, the fact it is
televised to 120 countries and its importance to the city's
self-esteem. Portland is one of the only events on Champ Car's
schedule still without a major sponsor. There has been a looming
threat of the rival Indy Racing League planting its flag at Portland
International Raceway and staging an IRL race next July or August.
But Kalkhoven strongly indicated that the IRL does not present a
threat.
"The IRL is a model that's already failing," he said.
"Everything they've done, everywhere they've gone, it's like a horde
of locusts descending on something, eating everything up and leaving
a desert behind them. Look at what they've done to Indy," Kalkhoven
said in reference to the Indianapolis 500. "They've destroyed it.
Bump Day used to be 60 or 70 cars competing. Now they're struggling
to get 33 cars."Kalkhoven said Portland has a future
on the Champ Car schedule with or without Budweiser, G.I. Joe's or
Freightliner (all former title sponsors) attached to its name. "Is
it an absolute necessity?" Kalkhoven said of having a major sponsor.
"No."
5/28/04
Fernandez: Champ Car is dead
In this Toronto Sun
article, Adrian Fernández says, "Every top team and driver
except one will be here Sunday racing in the Indianapolis 500,"
Fernandez said. The Mexican driver said that Tracy should see
the writing on the wall that the Open Wheel Racing Series is no
longer a viable racing model. "As far as I'm concerned CART or
Champ Car is dead," he said. [Editor's Note: On Spike
Champ Car only had 500,000 total viewers for the first two races. It
will only take 9 or 10 races to equal the total for Pole and Bump
day at Indy. In the end, there's far more value in running the Indy
500 than the entire schedule of CART races as long as OWRS keeps
Champ Car on Spike and not CBS. We called for them to put their
races on CBS for 2004, a building year. That did not happen, so
statements from people like Fernández hold some water. Hence the
predictions of Champ Car's demise continue. Oh so damaging. It
cost a lot to put races on CBS, but even more in the damage done by
the negative PR and lost team sponsorship from such minuscule
ratings.]
5/28/04
Earnhardt to be President for a day Dale
Earnhardt Jr., 2004 Daytona 500 champion, will serve as President of
Daytona International Speedway for a day. Earnhardt Jr. will perform
the duties of any sitting DIS President, which includes the Pepsi
400 purse announcement, selecting the paint scheme for the Pepsi 400
pace car, selling tickets and looking over the infield renovation
plans for the World Center of Racing. [Editor's Note:
Talk about a hokey way to get PR. Do the folks in NASCAR have
that little regard for the intelligence of NASCAR fans?]
5/28/04
Bourdais to highlight Dangerous Curves
show With another successful race under the
belt of the Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered
by Ford, this week’s episode of Spike TV’s Dangerous Curves
recollects the events from last weekend’s Tecate/Telmex Grand Prix
of Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico and introduces its viewers to the
race winner and new championship points leader.
After an outstanding rookie season in 2003, Sebastien Bourdais (#2
McDonald’s Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone) not only won
Rookie-of-the-Year honors, but also captured five poles and three
wins. Entering his sophomore season, he continues the momentum by
finishing on the podium in Round One and winning from pole last
weekend.
When he is not busy out on the racetrack, he takes time off to relax
at his Tampa, Florida home. Dangerous Curves host Bronte Tagliani
stopped by this week to sit down with Sebastien for an exclusive
interview giving Champ Car fans the chance to get to know the young
Frenchman on a more personal level.
Dangerous Curves, which gives its viewers behind-the-scenes looks at
the Champ Car World Series, jumps in the seat of a Ford powered Pace
Car for a high-speed thrill ride with one of the members of the
all-female Fast Lap Pace Car driving team.
Round Three is just a week away at the renowned Milwaukee Mile in
West Allis, Wisconsin and American rookie A.J. Allmendinger (#10 BG
Products/Red Bull Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone) headed up to the
event site in advance for some fun. Displaying new attire, he will
be giving Dangerous Curves a tour of the Wisconsin State Fair Park,
which is located right behind the 1.032-mile oval that will be
illuminated for the June 5th night race.
Part-time Champ Car Pit Reporter, Jon Beekhuis, chats with the
drivers of the Champ Car World Series to discuss the upcoming event
in Milwaukee. With the Time Warner Cable Road Runner 250 being the
only oval race on the 2004 Champ Car World Series Schedule, and the
only night race as well, Beekhuis gets the thoughts of the drivers
as they prepare for next week’s event.
This will be the seventh broadcast of Spike TV’s Dangerous Curves
which can be seen Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The show will be
rebroadcast again on Spike TV at 12:00 a.m. The Champ Cars have this
weekend off, but viewers can tune onto Spike TV next Sunday for the
broadcast of the Time Warner Cable Road Runner 250, as well as
seeing it live Saturday night on HDNet. Champ Car
5/28/04
More on Indy Ticket giveaways
A reader writes, Dear AutoRacing1.com, My wife and I had dinner
last night with close friends and neighbors. "Doug" (his name has
been changed to protect his innocence, although I don't know how
anyone who sells cars can possible be innocent) sells for one of the
larger Toyota stores here in the Chicago metropolitan area. Doug
shared the following story over salads.
Wednesday night as we were heading home Doug's manager mentioned
they had some Indy 500 tickets to give away "at their discretion."
His manager wasn't sure how many they had total but he got the
impression they shouldn't worry, just give 'em away.
Doug delivered two cars yesterday, one Camry and one Sienna
mini-van, both to "younger" families. As he was concluding the Camry
sale he asked the couple if they would be interested in four free
tickets to this year's Indianapolis 500. The man, with a relatively
disconnected look on his face quickly asked, "When is it?" When Doug
advised it was this Sunday the man replied to his wife and Doug, "I
thought they were in Charlotte this weekend!"
Much later in the day Doug was handing over the keys to a new Sienna
mini-van to a less than thrilled Dad (he had made it very clear
during the actual sales process the day before that he was not happy
about joining the "Dads in vans" club) who had just shelled out like
$36 large for this rolling play pen, if four freebies, good seats
too, to the Indy 500 would help take the edge off? The guy looked
back at Doug as he climbed up into the new family truckster and
said, "No way will I watch those Crapwagons!" He went on, "I wasn't
going to buy a Honda OR a Toyota! I wanted a Chrysler Town & Country
but my wife insisted on the Sienna 'cause every other mini-van on
the road is an Odyssey and she has gal pals who've had problems with
their Chryslers." Off he drove. Guess Toyota is at least
getting their moneys worth out of the IRL! Name Withheld By
Request, Chicago, IL
5/28/04
Pit Windows reinstated for Milwaukee
[Editor's Note: In talking to the drivers, AutoRacing1
has learned that many of them are not using the push-to-pass button
so they can save fuel. The whole idea of pit windows was to
stop fuel economy runs and get the drivers to push 100% the
entire race. Without Pit Windows at every race, the
push-to-pass button may go unused because it definitely burns more
fuel to produce those 50 extra HP. Of course one can argue
that's all part of the race strategy.] In a continuing
effort to bring the best quality of racing to its millions of fans,
the Champ Car World Series will bring back the mandatory pit windows
that were used last year in the Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car
World Series Powered by Ford. The pit windows mean that teams must
stop to take on fuel and four new Bridgestone Potenza racing tires
at specified intervals during the race. The intervals were put in
place to force competitors to run without regard to saving fuel, as
before the event Champ Car race officials calculate how long the
cars can run at full speed on a load of fuel, then set the windows
accordingly. The pit windows, which are currently slated to be in
effect for the Milwaukee race only, will be set for 59 laps for
Saturday night’s 250-lap event at the Milwaukee Mile. “We have
learned through our experience that the use of pit windows works
exceedingly well for us on oval tracks,” said Champ Car Technical
Director Lee Dykstra. “Milwaukee is a very important event for us
and we want to ensure that the fans get the most competitive racing
that we can provide.” The Time Warner Cable Road Runner 250 will
take place at the Milwaukee Mile June 5 at 8 p.m. and can be seen
live on HDNet. The race will also be shown on a tape-delayed basis
on Spike TV, Sunday at 4 pm.
5/28/04
Doug Shierson passes awayUPDATE The man who fielded highly
successful Champ Car teams for the likes of Al Unser Jr., Danny
Sullivan, Raul Boesel and Arie Luyendyk lost a long battle with
cancer Wednesday as long-time car owner Doug Shierson passed away
near his North Carolina home. Shierson burst on to the Champ Car
scene in 1982, moving up after winning three consecutive Formula
Atlantic championships as a team owner. He scored his first series
victory as an owner in 1984 when Sullivan won in Cleveland, carrying
the Domino’s Pizza #30 car to Victory Lane in a sight that would
become commonplace in the series for the remainder of the decade.
The team went on the next year to finish second in the championship
with Al Unser Jr. at the wheel, losing the title fight by a single
point. The team would finish in the top five in the Champ Car
standings in each of the four years between 1984-87 and would
continue on through the early 1990s, driving Luyendyk to a win in
the 1990 Indianapolis 500. He stayed with Champ Car after retiring
as a team owner, becoming one of the first series protest judges,
which are used by the series to provide on-the-spot resolution of
competition-related conflicts.
Shierson was diagnosed with cancer in 2001 and through treatment and
sheer force of will, lived more than two years longer than the
physicians had projected for him. In addition to his racing legacy,
Shierson donated many of his resources to cancer research through
hospitals and medical facilities in his previous home of Adrian,
Michigan.
“I am very saddened to hear of this news,” said Forsythe
Championship Racing Vice-President of Operations Neil Micklewright,
who was the chief mechanic for many of the Shierson team Champ Car
victories. “Doug was a wonderful man, had a wonderful sense of humor
and was an absolute devotee of the sport. He didn’t make a lot of
noise about what he did but he was responsible for bringing many of
the future stars into the sport. This is a great loss to the racing
community.”
Memorial services will be held on June 2nd, at 4:00 P.M. at the
First United Methodist Church in Adrian, Michigan, (visitation on
June 1st, 5-7:00 P.M. at the Braun Everiss Wagley Funeral Home also
in Adrian), and at the Davidson College Presbyterian Church in
Davidson, N.C. on June 8th at 2:00 P.M.
Memorial donations in Michigan may be made to Hospice of Lenawee,
The First United Methodist Church in Adrian, the Hickman Oncology
Center, Siena Heights University, Adrian College (Shierson
Scholarship Fund) or the donor's choice. In North Carolina, Hospice
of Charlotte has been very helpful during the last months. Champ
Car5/28/04 - Longtime CART owner (and one of the first CART Judges) Doug Shierson passed
away yesterday. Doug had battled with cancer for the past few years. Doug of
course is well known as the owner of the Domino's Champ Car. He had Al Unser
Jr. and Arie Luyendyk as drivers. From what we have found out, arrangements
have not been made yet but tentative plans are to have a memorial service
sometime after the Milwaukee race weekend in Adrian, Michigan where his team
was based.
5/28/04
Chance of rain for 500
There may be a small weather window to hold the Indianapolis 500 at 11
a.m. Sunday. Early indications show that Sunday will bring a high
probability of showers and thunderstorms, RTV6 meteorologist Paul
Poteet said. The rain is expected to begin late Saturday night and
last into early Sunday morning, Poteet said. There's a 30 percent
chance of rain Sunday morning, but the afternoon brings a 50 percent
chance for additional showers and thunderstorms. Sunday's high
temperature is expected to be around 80 degrees in Indianapolis.
Before that batch of rain is expected, central Indiana should
experience some dry weather. Friday's high temperature is expected
to be around 72 degrees. Saturday should warm up into the upper 70s,
Poteet said. If rain prevents officials from staging the Indy 500
Sunday, Monday may not be much better, as Memorial Day also offers a
chance of rain, Poteet said.
TheIndyChannel.com
5/28/04
Raikkonen leads Free Practice 2 at
Nürburgring
Kimi Raikkonen set the pace in Free Practice No. 2 for Sunday’s
European Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. Michelin runners were 1st
thru 5th.
P. No Driver Team - Engine Tires
Times Ave/Gaps Laps
1. 6 RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes M 1'29"355 207.406 Km/h 18
2. 9 BUTTON BAR Honda M 1'29"618 + 0'00"263 16
3. 4 R.SCHUMACHER Williams BMW M 1'29"677 + 0'00"322 28
4. 5 COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes M 1'29"700 + 0'00"345 17
5. 7 TRULLI Renault M 1'29"919 + 0'00"564 23
6. 2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari B 1'29"943 + 0'00"588 24
7. 35 DAVIDSON BAR Honda M 1'30"028 + 0'00"673 32
8. 8 ALONSO Renault M 1'30"163 + 0'00"808 22
9. 1 M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1'30"227 + 0'00"872 9
10. 10 SATO BAR Honda M 1'30"283 + 0'00"928 17
11. 3 MONTOYA Williams BMW M 1'30"337 + 0'00"982 20
12. 14 WEBBER Jaguar Cosworth M 1'30"466 + 0'01"111 29
13. 17 PANIS Toyota M 1'30"497 + 0'01"142 24
14. 16 DA MATTA Toyota M 1'30"531 + 0'01"176 25
15. 38 ZONTA Toyota M 1'30"949 + 0'01"594 33
16. 11 FISICHELLA Sauber Petronas B 1'30"974 + 0'01"619 26
17. 37 WIRDHEIM Jaguar Cosworth M 1'31"780 + 0'02"425 26
18. 39 GLOCK Jordan Ford B 1'32"080 + 0'02"725 29
19. 15 KLIEN Jaguar Cosworth M 1'32"217 + 0'02"862 15
20. 12 MASSA Sauber Petronas B 1'32"310 + 0'02"955 12
21. 20 BRUNI Minardi Cosworth B 1'32"643 + 0'03"288 19
22. 21 BAUMGARTNER Minardi Cosworth B 1'32"986 + 0'03"631 18
23. 18 HEIDFELD Jordan Ford B 1'33"175 + 0'03"820 20
24. 19 PANTANO Jordan Ford B 1'33"393 + 0'04"038 17
25. 40 LEINDERS Minardi Cosworth B 1'34"538 + 0'05"183 19
5/28/04
Portland Champ Car race in jeopardy
This AP
article talks about the Portland race. Kevin
Kalkhoven, co-owner of the Champ Car World Series, which replaced
CART, said he hopes the Portland race will continue. It was first
run in 1984. "We've been here for 21 years — we really want to be
here for many more years to come," he said during a visit to
Portland on Thursday. However, Kalkhoven said, the new Champ Car
owners have not really explored a long-term agreement with the city,
instead taking a wait-and-see stance some three months into taking
over CART. "Give us a little time," he said. AutoRacing1
Bottom Line: Unless a big crowd turns out for the event
this year, this race is history. In fact, it may be history
anyway. OWRS has gone on record as saying there will be just
16 race in 2005. With races at new venues a foregone
conclusion for 2005, OWRS must make room on its schedule, hence
races that are losing money will be axed. How will the IRL do
there? Absolutely horrible. Road racing fans won't
support a dumbed down formula. One need look no further than
Grand-Am (dumbed down and a complete failure) vs. ALMS. Or
Champ Car (big crowds) vs. IRL (free ticket crowds). Even
Trans-Am, a "stock car" type formula, struggled as a standalone
series. They'll have to have a huge ticket giveaway to save
face. The IRL wants to go road racing, but clearly they don't
understand their customers.]
5/28/04
May is only a month, 33 just a number
This Lima News
article tells it like it is when it comes to the destruction
of the Indy 500 by Tony George's vision - (excerpts)
Ten years ago, ticket requests had
to be made the day after the race for the next year’s race. And
even that was not a guarantee that one could get tickets.
It often took years to upgrade to a main grandstand section of
the track. Scalpers routinely sold tickets at two to three times
face value. A search of the speedway’s Web site
Friday revealed that there are still plenty of tickets available
near the start/finish line for this year’s race. At
face value.
Champ Car racing still exists.
This fact cannot be overlooked. If open wheel racing in
the early 1990s was indeed in as dire straits as George would
have you believe, then how on Earth has it been able to survive?
If the sport was as weak and vulnerable as George said it was,
then how have two competing series been able to withstand almost
a decade of political division? If the IRL was so
necessary to ensure the future of open wheel racing, why has it
been able to continue to exist in spite of it?
The mere existence of the Champ Car
World Series is evidence to the fierce loyalty and stability of
the fanbase and the soundness of the series’ fundamental
competitive principles. When teams like Penske and Ganassi and
drivers like Andretti and Castroneves left CART for the IRL,
CART fans didn’t follow them. They stayed loyal to the series.
But the original IRL fans, the ones who bought into the
USA-first, grassroots rhetoric are the ones who lost interest in
the sport. Those fans now follow dirt-trackers Tony
Stewart and Ryan Newman in NASCAR and watch guys like Cory
Kruseman continue to watch from the outside.
The fundamental principles of the
IRL continue to be updated almost weekly. Which is why a
handful of cars will run a few laps around the Brickyard this
month, just trying not to beat up any equipment. Why
bother trying to push the car? Thirty-three is only a number.
Wake me up when the race is on.
5/28/04
Final Monterrey GP TV Rating (USA)
The final rating for the Spike TV telecast of the Tecate/Telmex
Monterrey Grand Prix, the second event of the 2004 Bridgestone
Presents the Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford, was 0.3 with a
1 share reaching 292,000 households and 365,000 viewers. The
telecast achieved a 0.5 rating and 2.0 share in the 18-24 Male
category. The telecast also achieved a 0.3 rating and 1 share in the
18-34 Male and 18-49 Male categories. This was an improvement over
the first Champ Car World Series telecast event of the season, the
Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. The May 23 episode of “Dangerous
Curves”, the Champ Car pre-race/lifestyle show which aired earlier
in the day received a 0.3 rating and 1 share reaching 227,000
households and 245,000 viewers. The telecast achieved a 0.3 rating
and 2 share in the 18-24 Male category. The telecast also achieved a
0.3 rating and 2 share in the 18-34 Male category as well as a 0.3
rating and 1 share in the 18-49 Male category. The May 16 episode of
“Dangerous Curves” received a 0.2 rating and 1 share reaching
165,000 households. The telecast achieved a 0.2 rating and 1 share
in the 18-24 Male category. The telecast also achieved a 0.2 rating
and 1 share in the 18-34 Male category as well as in the 18-49 Male
category. A midnight re-air of the show achieved a 0.1 rating and 0
share reaching 104,000 households and 115,000 viewers. [Editor's
Note: Clearly, OWRS will have to put at least 50% of its
races on CBS in 2005 or the teams risk losing their sponsors as the
IRL and NASCAR teams will steal them away with much larger TV
ratings. Put it another way, they will pluck the Champ Car
sidepods clean of sponsor logos.]
5/28/04
Big ticket giveaway in Indy underway2nd UPDATE A reader adds, This
morning on my way to work a popular rock radio station here in
Chicago (The Loop) was giving away 10 packs of tickets for the Indy
500. They must have been given an awful lot of tickets from TG to
give 10 packs away for answering easy questions. The funny thing is
the questions have nothing to do with racing, they asked the
contestant who are three people in the rock band Kiss. With all the
free tickets being given away this year do you think people are
going to pay for them next year. As I was reading the Chicago
Tribune this morning, the sports section has two separate articles
on how the Indy 500 is no longer important. Hey Tony, you are a true
visionary. AutoRacing1, keep up the great work you have the best
website period. Tim Fregeau Thanks, Yes indeed, there
is a desperate plan in place to give away as many tickets as
possible in the hope of filling the large gaping holes in the
grandstands because 25% (rumored) of the tickets were unsold.
Large gaping holes would have been a first and would have signified
the beginning of the end for the once great American race. So
visibly the grandstands should look pretty full once again, but how
long before ticket giveaways just won't do it anymore. Once
you give away free tickets for an event, you kill it because in
years to follow those who paid won't, and will wait instead for
freebies. Mark C. Another writes, I just wanted to
update the Indy 500 ticket giveaway. I was driving to work this
morning and a local radio station was giving away Indy 500 tickets.
I live in DETROIT!!! It is nearly a 5 hour drive to the speedway. I
think they're getting desperate. Chris Hibner
5/27/04 - Tickets are being given away for
free all the way in Milwaukee and the Speedway even took out a full-page ad in
the National Speed Sport News in a last minute attempt to fill the grandstands
anyway they can. It's sort of like making the Indy 500 starting lineup, if you
can find your way to the Speedway, you're in. 5/27/04 - In an effort to save face and fill the grandstands, a big free ticket
giveaway is underway in Indy. Every single radio station in
Indianapolis is giving away free tickets to the 500 and have been
for two weeks. Not only are they giving them away but they are
dealing them out every hour! As we previously rumored, some
80,000, or about 25% remained unsold several weeks ago.
5/28/04
Pepsi official soft drink of Cleveland
GP
Officials from the U.S. Bank Presents the Champ Car Grand Prix of
Cleveland proudly announced today a renewed partnership and the
beginning of a new and exciting promotional relationship for this
summer’s annual Roar by the Shore festival. Pepsi will be the
Official Soft Drink of the 2004 Grand Prix of Cleveland, held July
1-3 at Burke Lakefront Airport, marking the first time since 1999
that the soft drink manufacturer has enjoyed an exclusive
relationship with the event. A key component of the relationship
with Pepsi was also unveiled today as Marc’s deep discount stores
announced a special in-store promotional campaign that will feature
the Grand Prix of Cleveland and Pepsi products. “This is a
very significant and exciting promotional relationship with both
Pepsi and Marc’s,” said Rena Shanaman, General Manager of the Grand
Prix of Cleveland. “We are very happy to welcome back Pepsi as the
Official Soft Drink for this year’s event and we think this
partnership really opened a door with Marc’s to create what we
believe will be a unique in-store marketing initiative. This marks
the first time in several years that the Grand Prix will enjoy such
promotional support from a large local retailer.”
5/28/04
Fiat boss dies
Umberto Agnelli, the boss of Fiat, has died at the age of 69. Agnelli
was suffering from cancer. Agnelli took over from his brother Gianni
Agnelli who died at the start of last year. The news will come as a
further blow to the company which is currently being rebuilt by
chief executive Giuseppe Morchio. Fiat is of course the parent
company to Ferrari and has been in financial trouble in recent
years.
5/28/04
Davidson leads Free Practice 1 at Nurburgring
BAR Honda test driver Anthony Davidson turned the fastest lap in this mornings
first Free Practice session for the F1 cars at the Nürburgring in Germany.
Ferrari drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello were right behind.
P. No Driver Team - Engine Tires Times Ave/Gaps
Laps
1. 35 DAVIDSON BAR Honda M 1'29"447 207.193 Km/h 19
2. 1 M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1'29"631 + 0'00"184 14
3. 2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari B 1'29"865 + 0'00"418 12
4. 14 WEBBER Jaguar Cosworth M 1'31"448 + 0'02"001 6
5. 38 ZONTA Toyota M 1'31"587 + 0'02"140 23
6. 6 RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes M 1'31"643 + 0'02"196 4
7. 12 MASSA Sauber Petronas B 1'31"673 + 0'02"226 9
8. 4 R.SCHUMACHER Williams BMW M 1'31"680 + 0'02"233 14
9. 8 ALONSO Renault M 1'31"768 + 0'02"321 16
10. 9 BUTTON BAR Honda M 1'31"770 + 0'02"323 11
11. 3 MONTOYA Williams BMW M 1'31"782 + 0'02"335 10
12. 17 PANIS Toyota M 1'31"910 + 0'02"463 10
13. 5 COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes M 1'32"301 + 0'02"854 5
14. 10 SATO BAR Honda M 1'32"500 + 0'03"053 10
15. 7 TRULLI Renault M 1'32"696 + 0'03"249 15
16. 16 DA MATTA Toyota M 1'32"915 + 0'03"468 15
17. 39 GLOCK Jordan Ford B 1'33"925 + 0'04"478 15
18. 18 HEIDFELD Jordan Ford B 1'33"971 + 0'04"524 10
19. 15 KLIEN Jaguar Cosworth M 1'34"402 + 0'04"955 11
20. 19 PANTANO Jordan Ford B 1'34"488 + 0'05"041 15
21. 37 WIRDHEIM Jaguar Cosworth M 1'35"043 + 0'05"596 9
22. 21 BAUMGARTNER Minardi Cosworth B 1'35"186 + 0'05"739 13
23. 20 BRUNI Minardi Cosworth B 1'35"455 + 0'06"008 17
24. 40 LEINDERS Minardi Cosworth B 1'37"609 + 0'08"162 15
5/28/04 Industry News
ESPN Racing Schools announced
ESPN, the Worldwide Leader in Sports, and Jim Russell Racing Drivers School,
the pioneer and premier name in racing and driving instruction, announced
today they have created the ESPN Russell Racing Schools. The ESPN Russell
Racing Schools will introduce a wider cross section of North American sports
fans to the exciting world of auto racing, combining ESPN’s vast media
resources and Jim Russell’s expertise in professional driving instruction.
This is the latest agreement for ESPN Enterprises, the ESPN division charged
with creating, launching and incubating new business opportunities – working
independently or with outside partners. The launch of the new racing brand is
timed to take advantage of the growing interest in motorsports. More than 20
million fans attend auto racing events annually and millions more watch racing
on television.
“ESPN Enterprises is building a network of leading sports instruction schools,
which started with the ESPN Golf Schools and now includes a racing school,”
said Rick Alessandri, senior vice president and general manager of ESPN
Enterprises. “Our companies have a shared belief in the growth potential of
the schools and feel this agreement will benefit both organizations, as well
as casual and avid auto racing fans.” Each week, 94 million people
interact with ESPN media – watching, listening, reading and logging on.
The ESPN Russell Racing Schools offer more than 10 different programs to race
fans and driving enthusiasts from its base location at Infineon Raceway in
Sonoma, Calif., and with courses held at famous racetracks around the country.
Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
Ralf Schumacher (Williams)
Fernando Alonso (Renault)
Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams) Transcript
5/27/04
RCR Team Wins Clevite Engine Builder Showdown Lanny
Barnes and Todd Hamm of Richard Childress Racing (RCR) defeated Mike Maiwald
and Shane Parsnow of Hendrick Motorsports Tuesday night in the final round of
the 2004 Clevite Engine Builder Showdown. The four-round competition, which
began in January at Hendrick Motorsports in Charlotte, N.C., and concluded
with the final round at the NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, N.C.,
requires each team build an engine from the block up and specifies that it run
for one minute. The RCR team turned in a time of 19:52 minutes while the
Hendrick team finished in 20.33 minutes. Each team was penalized one minute
for a rules infraction (the RCR team cross-threaded an oil pan nut), canceling
what would have been a record time for Barnes.
“I don’t have the vocabulary to explain how good this feels,” said Barnes.
“It’s awesome to have done what we did in under 20 minutes, and even with the
one-minute penalty, we’re very proud. As an engine builder, I knew there was
no question that we had everything under the pan tight, but with chrome parts
and some of the other accessories on the engine, it’s always a question. We’re
just fortunate that the Hendrick guys had an off-setting penalty that gave us
the opportunity to win.”
RCR has won two of the last three final rounds of the Clevite Engine Builder
Showdown. Danny Lawrence, RCR’s assistant engine shop manager, won the event
in 2002 and was runner-up last year. Barnes defeated Lawrence in the
semifinals this year. Lawrence owns the record time for the build, 20:26
minutes, which he established during the 2002 competition. This was Barnes’
fourth appearance in the competition and first time in the final.
“Our focus was strictly on our engine,” said Hamm. “We didn’t know that
anybody was working next to us or that anybody was in the audience. It was
just us. When the Clevite official told us we had an oil pan nut
cross-threaded, I thought ‘Oh man, don’t tell us that.’ But the Hendrick guys
had a penalty, too, so it all worked out.”
5/27/04
Nextel All-Star race TV rating The
final TV rating for the Nextel All-Star races at Lowe's Motor Speedway last
Saturday night on FX was a 2.9/2.8.Share representing 2.987 million households
tuned in. This is down significantly from 2003, which had a 3.9 final TV
Rating.
5/27/04
Indy 500 Bump Day TV rating plummetsUPDATE
The final Bump Day TV Rating stayed the same as the overnight, a 1.1/3 Share,
down 45% from last year's final of 2.0. 1.186 million households were
tuned in. 5/26/04 - The
overnight TV rating on ABC for the 2-hour Bump Day broadcast this
past Sunday was a 1.1/3 share. While the final is sure to drop
even lower, it's already down from last year's Bump Day final rating
of 2.0, also on ABC. This represents a 45% drop in one year,
which as we said, will get even worse when the final number comes
out later this week. The IRL is in serious trouble.
Their premier event, the Indy 500, and the only reason most teams
are in the league in the first place, is quickly crumbling at its
foundation, and when the foundation goes, the rest of the house will
collapse like a deck of cards. Tell us once again why Tony had
to create the IRL?
5/27/04
Get Danica Patrick out of Atlantics now
A reader writes, In an article today in the Oregonian, Bobby Rahal said Danica
Patrick is ready for the Indy 500 next year. Why does Champ Car allow this?
Get her out now if that's the case. She would be a great marketing tool and
racer for the future of Champ Car, but that's not what's going to happen, so
OWRS should spend nothing on promoting her and in fact should stop mentioning
her in any of their press releases going forward, as if she did not even
exist. Let her go learn her trade bouncing off walls in the IPS. Why
should Champ Car train her and then see her bolt to the opposition?
Something has to be done about this kind of abuse. Maybe Champ Car should
start some kind of driver incentive program for loyalty to the series. All
these road racers want to be there. I can't imagine that they love risking
there life on those ovals every week. It makes me sick. Especially when it's
from people like Rahal. I expect it from Michael and Ganassi but not Rahal.
Next year Marco will be in Atlantic's and two years later the Injury Racing
League. What a bunch of crap that is. Give Marco his walking papers and
let him go race in the IPS now. Sam Mancuso, South Florida
5/27/04
Indy race day schedule
5 a.m. Military bomb signifies opening of track
8 a.m. Spectacle of Bands
9:20 a.m. Festival Princess Parade Laps
9:40 a.m. "On the Banks of the Wabash" - Purdue University Band
Marion County Sheriff Motorcycle Drill Team
Cars placed in position
9:50 a.m. Celebrity/VIP Parade Laps
10:15 a.m. "I Hope You Dance" - Lee Ann Womack, Victory Podium
Military Recognition lap in Chevrolet vehicles
10:20 a.m. Driver Introductions
10:31 a.m. "God Bless America" - Florence Henderson, Victory Podium
10:40 a.m. "Star Spangled Banner" - Jessica Simpson, Victory Podium
10:42 a.m. "Drivers To Your Cars" announcement
10:44 a.m. Invocation
10:45 a.m. Memorial Day Recognition
10:47 a.m. Taps - Purdue University Band
10:49 a.m. "Back Home Again in Indiana" - Jim Nabors, Victory Podium
Balloon Spectacle
10:51 a.m. "Gentleman, Start Your Engines" - Mari Hulman George, Victory
Podium
10:53 a.m. 2004 Chevy Corvette leads pace lap - driven by Morgan Freeman
11 a.m. Start of the 88th Indianapolis 500-Mile Race
5/27/04
Rahal-Letterman team wins Pit Stop Competition
If pole sitter Buddy Rice receives the same quick service in the 88th
Indianapolis 500 that he had in the Checkers/Rally's Pit Stop Challenge on May
27, he'll be in the hunt at the end. Rahal-Letterman Racing
Pioneer/Argent crew members, with Rice as the driver, defeated Marlboro Team
Penske, with Helio Castroneves in the seat, in the championship of the
competition at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"These guys have never given up," said Rice, a first-year driver for
Rahal-Letterman Racing. "They've done an excellent job the whole time. So this
has been a big deal for them and everything. This has been huge. These guys
have had an excellent time. This is their deal and their time to shine, and
that's what's supposed to happen. We're starting on the pole and have
been working hard all month. This is just icing on the cake for them. Now we have
to go and focus on Sunday and hope we can win the big one."
Miller Lite Carb Day was also the final opportunities for IRL IndyCar® Series
drivers to make pre-race adjustments for the 88th Running of the Indianapolis
500.
The two-hour session May 27, in which all 33 starters for the 88th
Indianapolis Motor Speedway combined for 624 incident-free laps, was the final
opportunity for teams to shake down their entries and scrub the tires before
the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing" on May 30.
"We did all of our leak checks and ran a few laps in traffic; the car feels
great," said Rice. "I think the Argent/Pioneer Honda will be able to run at
the front all day with this setup.
"I know it's a long day and the conditions will change. The big thing this
year will be pit stops. With the smaller full tank, there will be more pit
stops (about 10) and the crews will be very important." IRL
5/27/04
Subway to back Unser
Subway announced today that it will provide the primary sponsorship
on the No. 20 machine of two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Al Unser
Jr. for the 88th running of the acclaimed race on Sunday, May 30,
2004. Subway has been an active supporter of motorsports for a
number of years with a very successful program in NASCAR Nextel Cup
which includes two race entitlements and major sponsorship on the
No. 16 car of Greg Biffle. Given the status of the
Indianapolis 500 as the greatest spectacle in motorsports as well as
the largest one day sporting event in the world, this was an ideal
time for Subway to take its sponsorship efforts to the next level.
"With its worldwide audience, the Indy 500 is one of the premier
sporting events in the world and the Indy Racing League has
developed into a world-class racing series," said Chris Carroll,
Marketing Director, Subway Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust. "We
saw this as the perfect opportunity to expand our program into
another realm of the business, and align ourselves with proven
winners in Al Jr. and Patrick Racing.
5/27/04
Junqueira's Champ Car crew arrives at
Indy Bruno's regular Champ Car pit crew arrived in
town yesterday afternoon to participate in Carb Day today. They will
drive back home tonight in order to report for work in Lincolnshire,
Ill. at 7 AM tomorrow to prepare racecars for Junqueira and his
teammate Sebastien Bourdais for an upcoming test at Road America in
Elkhart Lake, Wisc. on Tuesday, June 1. They will return to
Indianapolis on Saturday. Once the race concludes on Sunday night
they will report to Road America on Memorial Day for the test on
Tuesday. After the first weekend of qualifying, Bruno's race car was
transported to Lincolnshire so that the crew could practice pit
stops on Monday, May 17, which fell on their day off prior to the
Tecate/Telmex Monterrey GP May 21-23, which the team finished 1-2
with Bourdais and Junqueira, respectively. Five of the six
over-the-wall team representatives are on his Champ Car pit crew.
Indy-based employee Mark Shambarger is filling in for outside front
tire changer Brian Rizzo who broke his foot prior to the race in
Mexico.
5/27/04
Greg Ray gets one-race sponsor
Access Motorsports announced today that Rent- A-Center, Eufora
MasterCard and University Loft Co. have signed a one race agreement
for the 2004 Indianapolis 500 with the # 13 Access Motorsports Honda
/ G Force / Firestone/Renovac Entry driven by Greg Ray. The new
paint scheme of the car will be unveiled on Thursday, May 27th
(Carburetion Day), as Ray takes to the track for final practice
prior to the 88th running of the Indianapolis 500. Despite his lack
of practice for this year’s Indy 500, Ray’s performance has been
impressive. The 1999 IRL champion and 2000 Indy 500 pole sitter
qualified 27th at a speed of 216.6 MPH after having completed only
six hot laps in the entire month of May leading up to qualifying.
Ray has started from the front row four times and has led 166 laps
in previous Indy 500s. Ray was the fastest qualifier on Sunday. “We
know our awesome Honda Power, along with our G-force chassis and
Firestone tires will be ready to race on Sunday”, said Ray. “We are
very excited about Rent-A-Center, Eufora MasterCard and University
Loft’s participation with our team for this year’s running of the
Indy 500”.
5/27/04
IRL to make a big push to market their
series This Indy
Star
article says, While the Indy Racing League appears puny next
to the marketing muscle of NASCAR, the hugely popular stock car
circuit, IRL officials say their promotional engine is primed to
bring Indy car racing back into the lead pack of American sports.
The IRL has bulked up, officials say, by nearly doubling its
marketing staff in the last 18 months and launching a trove of
promotions and licensing deals. It has also begun to break free from
its long feud with the former Championship Auto Racing Teams, an
arch-competitor whose assets were sold out of bankruptcy court this
year. "There is a critical mass that needs to be reached to sort of
break out to the next level," said Ken Ungar, the IRL's senior vice
president of business affairs. "We feel that we're poised at that
level." But if the IRL ever wants to catch NASCAR, it has miles to
go.
More.......
5/27/04
That's not bullish, that's bullsh**UPDATE Another reader responds,
Please let Brian Golden know that he needs to let off the weed and
dream mushrooms out in LA-LA land. Simple geography lesson: last I
checked Long Beach still qualifies as LA area, doesn't it? I was
glad to see that there is at least one IRL and Tony George apologist
(outside of the media) left out there. Keep up the good work - and
don't let up on the Heat! Werner Fritz, Trevor,
Wisconsin Another writes, Regarding the letter from Brian
Golden. Too bad Brian isn't aware of all the facts... He says Los
Angeles is a "market Champ Car abandoned last November"?? Can you
say LONG BEACH?!?!? He says "See if you find any empty seats Sunday
at Indianapolis"?? Well, since IMS is still advertising tickets, I
would think there might be empty seats. "In one day, it (Indy
attendance) will match Champ Car's attendance for two of its biggest
WEEKENDS of the year". This is possibly true - - but how many of the
IRL's other big weekend attendances would equal Indy? I am thinking
that the attendance at Indy is equal to about 6 or 7 of the next
best attended IRL races. In fact, I am also thinking that even with
Indy, Champ Car outdraws the IRL at the track - - even with all the
ticket giveaways that Marlboro, Honda and Toyota do and the people
who are forced to buy IRL tickets to see a NASCAR race. No doubt
about it, Champ Car has its problems, but for him to assume all is
well with the IRL is ridiculous. However one feels about the current
situation in open wheel racing, I think we can all agree that 100%
throttle oval racing sucks - and that is a fact! Thanks, Mark
from Chicago5/27/04 - reader writes, Dear AutoRacing1, It took some digging, but after
several of the predictable daily attacks on Tony George, I came
across this item on your website: "TBA dates on Champ Car calendar
likely won't be held." It turns out the September Grand Prix of TBA
is DOA. And then you tell us there's a pretty good chance the finale
in Las Vegas won't be held. You spend all this time talking about
how bullish Gerry Forsythe is about Champ Car. You conveniently
neglect that his defending champion driver is STILL without
sponsorship. That's not bullish, that's bullsh**. With the pathetic
TV number Spike TV put up for Monterrey, you have nerve criticizing
anyone's TV ratings. And as far as NASCAR's numbers go, notice which
city put up the largest increase in viewership: Los Angeles, a
market Champ Car abandoned last November. See if you find any empty
seats Sunday at Indianapolis, AR1. In one day, it will match Champ
Car's attendance for two of its biggest WEEKENDS of the year. Make
no mistake, Tony George has done serious damage to a sport we all
love. But AR1 does a fair job of trashing the sport every day, too.
Show me some integrity. Please print this letter. Sincerely,
Brian Golden, Lancaster, California Dear Brian, Our
attacks are not personal against Tony George. It is just to
point out the facts, which most journalist are afraid to do, i.e.
his decision to start the IRL was a major tactical error in judgment
and he must be held accountable. By splitting the sport
in two he is destroying it. Some would argue he already has
destroyed it. Certainly Champ Car is not without its faults
and they still have a way to go before they prove to everyone they
are not conflicted like previous CART leaders were, and they make
all decisions based on what's good for the series as a whole and not
their own self interests. The key for the new owners will be
to separate what's good for them and focus on what's good for
everyone. Certainly Spike TV is not doing the series one iota of
good so far, but this was a survival year, a throwaway year. We
suspect next year you will see more money spent on proper network TV
coverage. As for the TBA races, certainly if neither happen OWRS
will have received another black eye, but better to not do them,
than to not do them right and fail. Mark C.
5/27/04
Painful legacy: Oval track drivers
hobble thru life
This AP
article says, Alex Zanardi is an extreme example - he lost
both legs in a 2001 crash in Germany - but he's hardly the only
racer hobbling through life with aches and pains that will never go
away. Just look around Indianapolis Motor Speedway. There's Rick Mears, barely able to lift his
feet off the ground as he shuffles painfully through Gasoline Alley.
There's Davey Hamilton, teetering on crutches after undergoing
surgery for the 21st time in the past three years. There's Pancho
Carter, who staggers around like "a peg-leg pirate" - his words -
because of a right ankle that doesn't work anymore. There's Kenny
Brack, still limping some seven months after a crash that nearly
killed him. There's Sam Schmidt, paralyzed from the neck down as he
moves through the paddock in a wheelchair. "Obviously, you don't
want something like this to happen," Brack said Wednesday, hopping
on a bike to avoid a tedious, painful walk from the garage to his
camper. "It did, unfortunately. But you've got to move on." These
guys paid a high price for the sport they love, sacrificing their
bodies in the pursuit of speed. They can't make it through the day
without hurting - a brusque reminder that things will never be the
same. "No pain, no gain," Hamilton said, managing to chuckle at his
plight. "I'm not going to lie. I have my days. But I'm determined
not to show it. I figure the less I complain, the better off I'm
going to be. You just deal with it." Hamilton was seriously injured
in a 2001 crash at Texas Motor Speedway, where the front end of his
car sheered off at 200 miles per hour. His lower legs were left
exposed, enduring horrific injuries as they dragged along the
pavement. His feet were so mangled that the first doctors to see
Hamilton figured amputation was the only option. After being flown
back to Indianapolis, surgeons took drastic steps to put things back
together. Muscles were removed from his lower back to rebuild his
feet. Bones were removed from his hip to repair his knees. Skin
grafts were needed to cover the damage. "They took a lot of my good
parts," Hamilton said, "to fix the bad ones." [Editor's
Note: And to think, Michael Andretti may want to subject his
very talented son Marco to this risk. We wonder what brother
Jeff thinks about that after his career was ended head-on into an
oval track concrete wall?]
5/27/04
Indy only has 257,000 seats
The Indy Star did an exhaustive 6-month count of the seats at the Indy
Speedway and lo and behold, the number is far lower than everyone
thought. And with hardly anyone in the infield anymore, we
suspect the race day crowd is well under 300,000. How many
years will it be before Champ Car's Mexico City race beats the Indy
500 attendance and becomes the biggest race in the world?
This Indy Star
article says, A six-month inspection of each grandstand
resulted in a count of 257,325 permanent seats, which includes the
five types of suites scattered around the Speedway. It is believed
to be the only formal count of the seats in the facility's modern
era. Estimates had been left to journalists, many of whom have
admitted to being influenced by the vastness of the Speedway and the
enthusiasm surrounding the 500. Some have guessed as many as 500,000
fans on race day.
5/27/04
ABC & ESPN extend IRL TV deal two more
years
ABC Sports and ESPN have agreed to televise the Indianapolis 500 and
the rest of the Indy Racing League schedule through 2009, a source
close to the negotiations told The Associated Press. The source,
speaking on condition of anonymity, said an announcement would be
made during a news conference Thursday at the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway. The current contract extends through the 2007 season. ABC
will broadcast the 500-mile race on Sunday, the 40th consecutive
year it has shown the event. All 16 IRL events in 2004 will be
televised live on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2. The networks, which are owned
by The Walt Disney Co., have broadcast IRL races since the series
began competition in 1996.
ESPN.com In addition, ESPN International networks retain
worldwide rights to televise race coverage to 149 countries and
territories. ESPN International will continue as global syndication
representative. Current syndication agreements are in place with
broadcasters in Brazil, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, and the
United Kingdom, with pan-regional highlights available on Eurosport,
the most widely-distributed sports network in Europe. ESPN and ESPN2
will receive several programming opportunities as part of the
agreement, including exclusive coverage of the Menards Infiniti Pro
Series and Indy Racing League Banquet, an annual ESPN Original
Entertainment special, a Season Preview show and three one-hour Indy
Racing League-related specials a year.
5/27/04
Interview with Andretti Green Racing
88th INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRESS CONFERENCE
Dario Franchitti, Bryan Herta, Tony Kanaan, Dan Wheldon
TOM SAVAGE: We have our four drivers here today from Andretti Green
Racing, three of which are in the top five positions for the 88th
running of the Indianapolis 500. Middle of the front row, Dan
Wheldon at a 221.524; outside of the front row, Dario Franchitti at
a 221.471; middle of the second row, Tony Kanaan 221.200; starting
23rd is Bryan Herta at a 219.871. Guys, let's get your thoughts as
Sunday approaches. Dan, let's start with you, middle of the front
row, you held the pole there for a little bit. Let's talk about your
thoughts heading into Sunday. More.....
5/27/04
Forsythe & Kalkhoven excited about Champ Car's
future
This
CART.com article says (excerpts) The first matter Forsythe and
Kalkhoven wanted to talk about was next year’s schedule. Forsythe said that
Champ Car’s original plan was to complete negotiations for 2005 race dates by
the start of the summer but he acknowledges it will take another month or so
to reach that goal. “We’re negotiating on four different fronts and I
don’t believe we’ll have those things in place by the end of June,” Forsythe
said. “That was the date that management gave as the goal for an announcement
of the 2005 schedule but I don’t believe that’s possible. I think it will be
more like the first of August. We’re telling everyone we’re negotiating with
that we need to have the contracts executed by the end of June but I don’t
think that’s feasible. We’re dealing with foreign entities and it takes a long
time to work through all the details.”
“We’re taking the lead on pursuing venues in South America, Africa and
Europe,” Forsythe commented. “Our company has taken the lead in going to all
these potential opportunities and looking at the facilities. In some cases
we’ve been asked to design a potential facility. Ron Dixon is doing a lot of
traveling right now and making the arrangements and logistical studies. We’re
looking at opportunities for 2005 and 2006. I’m very pleased with the interest
that we’ve received from a lot of different venues and I think once we make
the announcement of the 2005 schedule it’s going to be quite well received.”
Kalkhoven said the plan is to announce the 2005 schedule in September. “It’s
our intention to have a schedule out by September,” Kalkhoven
said..........We’re feeling very confident about 2005.”
Kalkhoven said the 2005 schedule probably will comprise sixteen races.
“Clearly nineteen was too many. Somewhere around sixteen is a reasonable
number. They’ve got to be real races and real events. We can no longer in the
motor racing world have races that are just races. We’ve got to make them
events. We’ve got to make them big events with big crowds and vigorous
promotion.”
[Editor's Note: We reported Forsythe's statements in last Friday's Hot
News] “There was an article in ‘The Record’, a Mexican sports publication,
that IRL was coming to Mexico City,” Forsythe commented. “This story was
created by the spin doctors in Indianapolis who are trying to create
uncertainty. In the Indianapolis press last week they listed where they
thought the IRL was going to run road races in the future and they listed
Mid-Ohio, Elkhart Lake, Long Beach, one Canadian race, and Mexico City. That
was probably a trigger for ‘The Record’ publishing their story.
“They did note in their story that I was part-owner of the Mexico City race
and said it might be difficult to achieve that. I can assure you that it won’t
be difficult. It will be impossible. Mexico City is one of the best permanent
road course facilities in the world and I’m proud of being part of developing
it. It has long-term contracts with Champ Car and they will continue to run
Champ Car races in Mexico City. If the IRL is interested in Mexico I don’t
know where they’re going to run. I wish them luck.”
Forsythe explained his view of how this rumor was manufactured. “Tony George
had Adrian Fernandez call my partners in Mexico City and try to set up a
meeting. I said if you want to meet with them and see if you can learn
anything it’s not going to cost you. But I told them the one thing you’ve got
to worry about is they’re going to get in the press and confuse the situation
in Mexico and, sure enough, a few days later there was the article.”
Paul Tracy went public in the Mexican press assuring Mexican fans that Mexico
City will always remain a Champ Car race and few days later Corporacion
Interamericana del Entretenimiento (CIE), promoters of the Mexico City race,
issued a press statement formally denying any involvement with the IRL.
“We were prepared a put out a CIE announcement,” Forsythe said. “But Tracy
spoke to the press and said it was a ridiculous to even consider so we held
off for a few days on the CIE announcement.
“But enough’s enough,” Forsythe added, his blood pressure clearly rising. “I
am sick and tired of the negative press they continue to put out about our
series and to try to confuse the Mexican market by the statement that they
will race in Mexico City is absolutely ridiculous. You would think the IRL
would be worrying about its own business rather than trying to confuse ours.
But I guess they feel that with as few people as they had at Indianapolis for
the practice days and qualifying that they need to try to spin things away
from the problems they have. If I was those guys I’d be so embarrassed. I
remember when you had 200,000 for the first day of qualifying.
“Contrary to the other open-wheel series we do have a very good fan base. It’s
very well recognized that we have a strong fan turn-out at almost every one of
our races. The other series has a serious problem in that regard. In fact,
there’s no comparison between us. None at all.
“I think without the financial assistance of two major automobile
manufacturers the other series would be in deep trouble. I don’t know if they
recognize it or not. It appears as if they’re going down the road with
blinders on. I think they better be focused on their own business rather than
worrying about us.”
Kalkhoven wanted to discuss Champ Car’s technical package of chassis and
engines for 2005. “At this moment in time it will be exactly the same,”
Kalkhoven said. “The issue here is stability. The teams need to know the
equipment they’ve got is something they can use next year and the promoters
need to know what package will be coming next year. This is a package that
works and works well.
“We’re looking at a number of different alternatives for ‘06 but I’m not going
to say anything to create any speculation until we’ve got it nailed down. But
again, stability is a key item and we’d like to reduce the costs if possible.”
Kalkhoven is convinced Champ Car is on the right track. “We have a series
whose economic basis is a lot stronger than it was last year,” he observed.
“We’ve got a series whose driver base is as strong as you could imagine. We’ve
got some hot young rookies and the interest in the series for 2005 from
drivers and teams is very strong. I think people were waiting to know that we
were going to be here. Now they know and the interest is building.”
5/27/04
2-seat Champ Car rides might expand to public
This Autoweek
article says, You might have seen accounts of riding in a two-seat,
750-hp, open-wheel race car. Allow us to reiterate: One hundred, seventy-five
mph at the end of the frontstraight in Long Beach reinforces your appreciation
of the sport and your respect for the people who drive these things for a
living. A ride in a Champ Car behind Jimmy Vasser is a thrill like none you’ve
experienced. This ride has no chains, track rails, gravity power or traction
control. One man orchestrates the thrills with his fingers, feet and butt.
While our two-seat Champ Car ride was occupational privilege, soon you or some
other race fan/car person may also get the chance to try it, complete with the
soiled-trouser panic button (AW, April 19). Champ Car officials are
considering expanding the two-seat program to public rides. “The two-seater is
not that far off a real car,” says Sebastien Bourdais, another of Champ Car’s
chauffeurs. “The balance is good and it handles pretty nicely. I really like
it when the guy behind me starts freaking out.”
Indy ticket availability
A reader writes, Just for kicks I went to the Brickyard's website today. I
went to the section where you can buy Indy 500 tickets online. I typed in a
search for 10 tickets (in a block) in various sections and found plenty.
I then tried a search for 20 tickets and again found plenty. I then tried a
search for a block of 30 tickets and again found plenty. In fact, I was able
to find 30 tickets all together as high as row 15. It is shocking to see how
many seats are still available. I was going to search eBay too but I already
know what the answer would be so why bother? Your previous rumor about all the
unsold tickets must be pretty close to accurate. It's sad what TG has done to
Indy. Really sad. Signed, Indy Car Fan
5/26/04
Champ Cars to test at Road America
Champ Cars will be on track at Road America for road course testing on Monday,
May 31. The testing is free and open to the public. Gates will open at 8:00
a.m., and spectators may watch from the Turn 14 grandstands. Champ Car testing
will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. To date Dale Coyne Racing, Forsythe
Championship Racing, Mi-Jack Conquest Racing and Walker Racing have confirmed
participation. Driving for Dale Coyne are #19, Tarso Marques and #11, Oriol
Servia. Forsythe drivers are #7, Patrick Carpentier; #3, Rodolfo Lavin; and
#1, Paul Tracy, the 2003 series champion. Mi-Jack Conquest racing is fielding
#14 Alex Sperafico and #34, Justin Wilson. Mario Haberfeld, #5, is driving for
Walker Racing. Road America will host Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World
Series, Motorock Trans-Am Tour, Toyota Atlantics and Formula BMW Aug. 5-8. A
Super Ticket for the four-day weekend is $115 if ordered by July 26. Children
12 and under are free, as are parking, access to the paddock and shuttle rides
around the facility. Tickets may be ordered online,
www.roadamerica.com
or by calling 1.800.365.RACE (7223).
5/26/04
Mazzacane to test a Coyne Lola
Reports out of Buenos Aires say that Argentinean Gastón Mazzacane will test a
Dale Coyne Lola at Putnam Park tomorrow (Thursday) with an eye toward becoming
comfortable with a Champ Car and landing a possible ride later in the year
with some team. This of course fits in with rumors Champ Car might race
in Argentina in 2005.
5/26/04
Burke Lakefront gets some needed repaving
Recent pavement work was done at Burke Lakefront Airport on the taxiway nearest the highway.
That should be good news for the drivers since Turn 8, and the long straight
that followed, were among the bumpiest parts of the circuit.
5/26/04 Industry News
NASCAR vs. Open Wheel, which is better
This Dallas Fort-Worth Star Telegram
article does a decent high-level comparison of comparing open wheel
racing to stock car racing and why one is better than the other.
5/26/04
No Jordan ride for Jos in 2004 - can't fit in
car
A few weeks ago, rumors suggested Jos Verstappen was scheduled to test the
Jordan EJ14 at Silverstone on the first day of June. Most people believed that
it would be only a formality before either regular drivers Nick Heidfeld or
Giorgio Pantano would be replaced by the "Trust money" driver. However, "When
you can't sit properly in the car you are not able to perform 100%," explained
Verstappen on his official web site. "We had to think long and hard about this
decision, together with our sponsors. It is a shame, both for Jordan and
myself. I have to thank the Jordan mechanics for their efforts; they worked
very hard to try to give me a good sitting position in the Jordan F1 car."
5/26/04
Indy Pit Stop Competition
Twelve of the fastest pit crews in motorsports will challenge May 27 for
bragging rights, the first-place trophy and $30,000 winner's check during the
28th annual Checkers/Rally's Pit Stop Challenge at the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway. Since 1977, the Checkers/Rally's Pit Stop Challenge has paired the
finest pit crews and drivers - including 11 Indianapolis 500 winners - in
exciting head-to-head competition to determine the fastest pit crew at Indy
for the year. The 2004 Checkers/Rally's Pit Stop Challenge begins at 1:30 p.m.
(EST, Indy time). It will be televised on a tape-delayed basis as part of a
Miller Lite Carb Day recap from 3:30-6 p.m. (EDT) on ESPN2.
5/26/04
Jeff Gordon comments on Wind Tunnel
Below are select quotes from Tuesday's Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain
on SPEED Channel. Four-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Jeff
Gordon was Despain's guest, talking about everything from earning
respect to a possible future in Formula One.
Gordon on new wave of Young Guns earning on-track respect:
"The sport has grown. It's a big business. They're making stars out
of these guys immediately. When I came into it, it took you a couple
of years before you were supposed to win races. Now, if you don't
win a race in your first year, you're not considered a good rookie.
And if you do, you are an instant star. ... We are starting to see
just a small -- just a little amount -- of the NBA, NFL rookie kind
of thing, but not to that level. I think you earn your respect by
your actions on the race track with the competitors. It doesn't
matter what you say or what you do off the race track, it's how you
act on the race track and when you go out there and act like you own
the race track, you're not going to earn much respect."
Gordon on Tony Stewart: "To me, Tony is one of the
best drivers out there and I respect him tremendously. That was my
comeback to him, 'Tony, I have too much respect for you. I think you
are too good of a driver to make mistakes like that -- what's going
on?' ... I think he is too good to make those kinds of mistakes. But
I can point fingers at myself -- I've made some mistakes myself.
Whether it's pressure or whether it's distractions, it's just a
mistake. We all make them. Some of his lately have just been more
visible."
Gordon on rumors of future in F1: "I love Formula One
racing. I think it is amazing. And I probably didn't know how much
it would get my wheels rolling on it if I hadn't drove the car I did
last year (Juan Pablo Montoya's F1 car for the SPEED Channel show
Tradin' Paint). I felt what it's like to drive that car and it's an
amazing experience. But I also recognize the commitment and the
dedication it would take to move over there. I also recognize that I
am very committed to where I am at. ... It's not about a contract.
It's about people being in place and they are there because you are
there and sponsors that are in place that you've made a commitment
to. It's more about that type of commitment.
"I don't know if I am in my prime to go into F1, but I am certainly
in a position today to have a good ride. That's something that I
never expected. That was pretty interesting going over there
(Barcelona, Spain for an F1 race) and people were pulling me off to
the side. It was an awesome experience and I had a lot of fun, but I
am very happy with where I am."
Despain then said "So, you are not going to do it?" Gordon replied
with a chuckle: "I don't think I'm going to do it."
Gordon on the growth of NASCAR: "I think we do need
tracks in other areas of the country where there are fans that are
not getting an chance to go. And also areas that could bring more
sponsorship, more marketing and more of an impact on our sport to
take it not only more nationwide, but worldwide. I think that we
were saturated a little too much in the Southeast. I think it is
unfortunate that a great race track like Rockingham was the one to
pay the price, because it's one of my favorite tracks. But you've
got to also look at the attendance out there - 75,000 seats and they
were having trouble selling them out. Whose fault is that? - hard to
say. ... I think we should go to Canada and I think we should go to
Mexico. I don't know if we need to be in Japan or Germany or
wherever. There is some support but not really a big fan base in
those areas. But Canada and Mexico, I think we could see some big
impact there."
Gordon on winning eight championships: "It's not
really a goal. I think it is next to impossible. I'm one to set my
goals high, but right now, my sites are set on number five. Until I
get to seven, then eight is not anything that is achievable. I love
and look forward to the challenge, but I I've already accomplished
way more than I thought I would with four ... but I think we have
more in us."
5/26/04
Tony George should admit the IRL was a
mistake
This Cincinnati Enquirer
article from 1999 is probably more true today than it was
back in 1999 because things have only gotten worse since then.
It says, Remember the New Coke? Just like the Old Coke, except for
the taste. Maybe the dumbest idea in the history of marketing. That
is, at least, until the Indy Racing League. The humbling lesson the
soda pop people learned back in 1985 has evidently been lost on Tony
George. It can be capsulized as follows: Don't mess too much with a
winning formula, or you may risk losing your fizz. The Indianapolis
500 has lost its edge, progressively dulled by George's warped view
of the racing world. The President of the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway, looking to leverage his famous track, has succeeded mainly
in marginalizing the erstwhile Greatest Spectacle In Racing.
George's motoring megalomania conjures Napoleon's march on Moscow
and Kevin Costner's making of Waterworld. It is an exercise in
suicidal self-indulgence..........Ultimately, the measure of Tony
George's success will be determined by how well and how soon he
compromises with CART. It's hard to keep selling mystique when your
customers keep thinking, “mistake.”
5/26/04
McLaren to test new car
Autosport Magazine reports in its latest edition that McLaren's new
car, the MP4-19B, will be tested at Silverstone next week as the
team targets a late-season turnaround in its fortunes.
The new car has a repackaged monocoque which has passed the
mandatory crash tests. McLaren technical director Adrian Newey,
who is hoping to get the new car out in time for the German Grand
Prix at Hockenheim on July 24, said much would depend on getting
through this weekend’s European Grand Prix without the need for
major repairs to the current car. “We expect [to test]
somewhere between two and four weeks from now – it depends on the
race bits,” said Newey last weekend. In terms of lap
times the simulation says the benefits should be significant, but I
would rather not go further than that at the moment.”
The MP4-19B is based on the MP4-19,which has meant the weight
distribution could not be altered as much as the technical
department had hoped. Newey added: “It’s an updated car so virtually
all the mechanical parts are the same, but the bodywork is heavily
updated, which means that we have to redo the crash test. That’s
signed off so we are building the car at the moment.”
McLaren is still planning an all new car for the start of 2005.
5/26/04
Brazilian drivers were kidnapped
This Indy Star
article talks about the Brazilian IRL (former Champ Car)
drivers who have been kidnapped in their home country.
Certainly does not sound like a safe place to be, especially Sao
Paulo.
5/26/04
Ten years since Gordon's first win
It was exactly 10 years ago this Memorial Day weekend that a young gun
named Jeff Gordon won his first race in NASCAR's premier series in a
rainbow-colored No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet Lumina. Since then, the
paint scheme and the make of car have changed, but little else has.
Gordon went on to win the inaugural Brickyard 400 that year – the
weekend of his 23rd birthday – and went on a winning streak like no
other over the past decade. Four championships and 66 wins later,
Gordon returns to Lowe's Motor Speedway – site of that first,
emotional win – looking for another victory and to maintain his
winning percentage of nearly 20 percent starting with that first win
at Lowe's Motor Speedway. "I never would have guessed 10 years ago
that I'd be where I am now," said Gordon. "Sometimes it still amazes
me that I made it to this level at all. A lot has changed over the
years both personally and professionally – I certainly never thought
I'd be a partial team owner at Hendrick Motorsports – but the one
thing that has stayed the same is the heart of this team that has
kept this DuPont team strong for so long." Now considered a veteran
driver, Gordon is one of only 16 drivers who started in that 43-car
field 10 years ago that still competes full-time in the NASCAR
NEXTEL Cup Series today.
All Ganassi employees to get TAG Heuer watch
Chip Ganassi Racing is using their new partnership with TAG Heuer to recognize
their employees. As part of their partnership, every employee with at least
one year of service to the company will receive a free TAG Heuer luxury watch.
It was recently announced that TAG Heuer is the Official Timekeeper, Official
Watch, and Chronograph and Official Partner for Chip Ganassi Racing for their
entries in the Indy Racing League, NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, and the Grand-Am
Series.
“I’m excited that we are able to provide this gift to our dedicated employees
who make our racing operation extremely competitive across open-wheel, stock
car and road racing,” Chip Ganassi said. “We are very focused on our people
and our partnerships as our most important assets, and we saw this as an
opportunity to combine the two to recognize our people for their dedication to
winning races and adding value to our sponsor’s investments.”
“Our new partnership with TAG Heuer fits very well with the strength and class
of brands we already partner with,” Ganassi added. “In addition, TAG Heuer’s
contributions to the art of watch making and science of timekeeping have
raised the bar for the sport of motor racing, and to have our team associated
with that high level of quality and precision is a winning combination.”
“The addition of Chip Ganassi Racing to our roster of professional auto racing
partners is a tremendous plus for TAG Heuer,” says Jean-Christophe Babin, TAG
Heuer’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Chip Ganassi’s stellar track
record of picking winning drivers who are superb competitors has led his
organization to be one of the most dominant dynasties in the history of
sports. The team’s commitment to excellence and performance is a perfect match
for TAG Heuer’s parallel commitment to excellence and performance in precision
timekeeping. This partnership will allow our watchmakers to test our
timepieces in extreme conditions – in particular in terms of G-force, dictated
by the very high speed and unique kinetics of oval speedways.”
5/26/04
Another NASCAR fan idiot alert In the
continuation of an ugly trend (3 races now) from earlier this year, Matt
Kenseth said that fans were throwing debris at his car after he won Saturday's
race. "I had a full beer can hit the car," Kenseth said. "I don't like stuff
hitting the car, but there's nothing you can do about five or six individuals,
I guess." Flying debris was a problem after races at Talladega (Ala.)
Superspeedway and California Speedway earlier this year. Like many racetracks,
LMS has signs warning fans that they will be ejected for throwing things on
the track.
USA Today [Editor's Note: It looks like NASCAR is going to
have to ban all alcohol from the grandstands of their races because the
drunken Bubbas in the stands can't handle it.]
5/26/04
Hendrick moving HQ to Concord
Hendrick Cos. plans to move its corporate headquarters to Concord from
Charlotte in a $15 million project that will consolidate most of the company's
operations in Cabarrus County. Hendrick, the corporate umbrella for
motorsports team owner Rick Hendrick's NASCAR operations and related
businesses, has bought 30 acres off Speedway Boulevard, near Lowe's Motor
Speedway, for the development. Plans call for construction of two buildings by
year end; their size wasn't available at press time.
Charlotte Business Journal
5/26/04
Nextel Cup TV ratings down 1.7% through 9 races
Fox is averaging a 5.9/15 Nielsen rating through nine NASCAR Nextel Cup races,
down 1.7% from a 6.0/15 for the nine comparable races in '03. Fox will air
five more races before NBC takes over Nextel Cup coverage with the Tropicana
400 on July 11 (Sports Business Daily).
NEXTEL CUP RACE
DATE
'04 RATING/SHARE
'03 RATING/SHARE
HR %+/-
Subway 400
2/22
6.6/16
6.7/16
-1.5%
UAW/DaimlerChrysler 400
3/7
5.8/14
6.9/15
-15.9%
Golden Corral 500
3/14
5.7/14
6.4/16
-10.9%
Carolina Dodge Dealers 400
3/21
5.6/14
5.9/15
-5.1%
Food City 500
3/28
6.0/15
5.5/13
9.1%
Samsung/RadioShack 500
4/4
6.0/15
6.3/14
-4.8%
Advance Auto Parts 500
4/18
5.4/14
5.3/14
1.9%
Aaron's 499
4/25
6.3/15
6.2/15
1.6%
Auto Club 500
5/2
6.1/14
5.3/13
15.1%
"NASCAR ON FOX" AVERAGE
5.9/15
6.0/15
-1.7%
5/26/04
IRL killing the Indy 500 To
analyze just how much Tony George has ruined the Indy 500, let's examine its
TV rating trend over the last decade. In 8 short years Tony George has
managed to shrink the Indy 500 down to less than 50% of where CART left off
with his concept of what Indy Car racing should be, i.e. the IRL. In
fact every NASCAR race (see above) gets a higher TV rating than the IRL's
crown jewel, the Indy 500. And
this is progress? Tell us once again why Tony had to create the IRL?
YEAR
NETWORK
RATING/SHARE
Series
IRL Damage Analysis
1992
ABC
10.9/33
CART
1993
ABC
9.3/30
CART
1994
ABC
9.1/31
CART
1995
ABC
9.4/28
CART
% of Last CART Year
1996
ABC
7.1/23
IRL
75.5%
1997
ABC
5.0/18
IRL
53.1%
1998
ABC
6.0/19
IRL
63.8%
1999
ABC
5.5/18
IRL
58.5%
2000
ABC
5.5/15
IRL
58.5%
2001
ABC
5.8/17
IRL
61.7%
2002
ABC
4.8/15
IRL
51.1%
2003
ABC
4.6/14
IRL
48.9%
5/26/04
Indy 500 pole day TV ratingUPDATE
The final Indy 500 pole day TV rating has dropped from an overnight of 1.3/4
Share to a final of 0.9/2 Share. Just when we thought the IRL was making
progress, reality stepped in. 5/20/04 - The
overnight 2-hour ABC broadcast last Saturday for the Indy 500 pole was a 1.3/4 Share
Rating. Last year pole day
got a 0.8 rating so this year's result was a positive bump up. Speaking
of bump, Bump Day at Indy in 2003 garnered a 2.0 TV rating. Let's see if
they can beat that this year.
5/25/04
Sadler: Fords down on RPM Elliott
Sadler, driver of the No. 38 M&M's Taurus, goes into this weekend's Coca-Cola
600 in 10th place in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings. Sadler, who has
been in the top 10 every week, spoke about the challenges he and his fellow
competitors face in the season's longest race of the year.
YOU RAN AT RICHMOND WITH THE NEW CYLINDER HEAD PACKAGE. WHAT WERE YOUR
THOUGHTS? "I think it's definitely more along the lines rpm-wise with where we
need to be to compete with the Chevrolets and Dodges. They've got us beat
pretty bad right now in that area. We know we're at a disadvantage, but Doug
and Robert and all the guys in the motor shop have worked day and night to try
to get that cylinder head ready. I was able to run it at Richmond and was very
happy with it. The longevity showed to be great and I've also tested it at
Kentucky for a bunch of miles and this is something we need to work with in
the future. I think we're gonna have to have it to be competitive and to win
the championship this year, we're gonna have to have those heads - especially
when we get to places like Michigan and Pocono and Indy and places like that.
I think we're gonna have to have it to compete with these guys. I would have
loved to have had it at California, but I'm really impressed with the work
they've done on it so far. We're just gonna have to test it a few times
because you have to change your setup with it a little bit, but, hopefully,
it'll be good."
SO YOU SENSE YOU'RE DOWN ON HORSEPOWER? "I think the Fords are at a
disadvantage right now on horsepower, I think. It showed that when they went
in and did the dyno stuff, but until we get our new heads that are more in
tune to what Dodge and Chevrolet are doing, we're gonna be down a little bit.
Not that we're down from a lack of work. I think we've got great horsepower
for the engine that we have, but I think to be competitive we have to have the
new style heads like the other guys have got. The rpm range now has gone up so
much to where our motors are made to turn 9200-9300 while the Chevrolet and
Dodges are turning 9800-10,000, so we have to try and get more on that pace to
be able to run with those guys."
5/25/04
Jaguar offers car for lost diamond
JAGUAR Formula One is offering a $65,000 X-series car as reward for anyone
who finds and returns a $360,000 diamond that was fitted to the nose cone of a
race car that crashed in Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix. A spokesman said the team
was planning to scour the streets of Monaco for the button-sized gem that
vanished when rookie driver Christian Klien ploughed into the barrier on his
first lap. Klien, 20, crashed negotiating a hairpin bend at 113km per hour,
spreading debris over about 200 meters. "We're searching a very large area for
a very small diamond," Jaguar spokesman Nav Sidhu said. "We're not expecting
someone to turn up and say, 'Hey, we've found your diamond'." The team had a
diamond fitted on the nose of both their race cars as part of a sponsorship
tie-up with Steinmetz Diamond Group.
5/25/04
NASCAR
unveils 2004 logo
NASCAR and Nextel today unveiled the official logo for the ‘04 “Chase for
the NASCAR Nextel Cup”
5/25/04
Formula BMW USA
Formula BMW hopefuls await Lime Rock
Red Bull Junior Team member Matt Jaskol has been turning heads as he turns
laps this spring as he prepares to do battle in the 2004 Formula BMW USA
Championship. The young Las Vegas native is the only Red Bull Driver Search
winner who will be chasing his Formula 1 dreams stateside, as his fellow
winners, Dominique Claessens, Colin Fleming and Scott Speed, have already
begun racing this season in Europe in the Formula Renault Eurocup. The Red
Bull Junior Team has made significant strides this season, with Scott Speed
scoring the program’s first win, while Fleming and Claessens have shown quick
progress in their first season abroad. Hearing of his fellow team members’
exploits has only made Jaskol all the more anxious to get back to doing what
he loves best, wheel to wheel racing. The waiting is almost over, as the
series debut race weekend will be staged at Lime Rock Park on Memorial Day
weekend. In the meantime, Jaskol has been serving notice of his intention to
make the BMW championship his, working his way through the testing program set
up by his team, Florida-based Autotecnica, and impressing them with his speed
and feedback. In the two-day official FBMW test at the Mid Ohio Sports Car
Course, Jaskol was quickest in every session that he ran in, and set a best
lap time more than one second faster than anyone else.
17-year-old James Hinchcliffe (Jadome Enterprises / Franzak) heads to the
2.258 mile Lime Rock Park race course to compete in the opening round of the
2004 Formula BMW (FBMW) USA Championship Series. Hinchcliffe, who is coming
off a strong test at Mid-Ohio, will look to continue his pace and contend for
the premiere win in North American competition. Hinchcliffe, a previous race
winner in the SCCA FF1600 division and the Bridgestone / FormulaCar Magazine
F2000 Series, is a proven front runner and will be looking to get the season
started off right in his hunt for the championship. “I love these cars and had
a great test two weeks ago” explained Hinchcliffe in a recent phone interview.
“I am excited to get the season started and am pumped for next weekend.” The
Oakville, Ontario resident enters his rookie season with the knowledgeable AIM
Autosport squad and will look to expand on their vast variety of championship
titles. James will hit the track Friday morning for his first practice session
of the weekend’s competition. Hinchcliffe will look to put his Mobil 1 BMW
race car on the provision pole in qualifying for race #1 on Friday afternoon.
With the implementation of the double race weekends, James will qualify again
Saturday morning for Sunday’s race #2. Wheel-to-wheel racing competition
begins Saturday at 1:25pm. Fans can go online to
www.bmw-motorsport.com
to get an up-to-date schedule and view results for each and every on-track
session.
5/25/04
Bourdais in Cleveland
Newman/Haas Racing pilot Sebastien Bourdais (#2 McDonald’s
Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone) will be in Cleveland today as a part of an
advance promotion visit for the July 1-3 U.S. Bank Presents The Champ Car
Grand Prix of Cleveland event following his win from pole in Round 2 of the
Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford in Monterrey,
Mexico. The Champ Car World Series current points leader will be conducting
interviews with various media outlets. He will also be making an appearance at
tonight’s baseball game at Jacobs Field to throw the first pitch for the
Cleveland Indians/Seattle Mariners game. Bourdais is the defending race winner
from the 2003 event in Cleveland. Last year’s event was run at night, the
first time The Champ Cars ran under lights on the temporary 2.106-mile road
course at Burke Lakefront Airport. The 2004 U.S. Bank Presents The Champ Car
Grand Prix of Cleveland will take place during the Fourth of July weekend,
with the race to be held on Saturday, July 3, with a 5:00 p.m. local start
time.
5/25/04
PKV Racing road course testing blitz
Fresh off a solid showing in Monterrey, Mexico last week, PKV Racing
continues to pick up steam as the 2004 Champ Car World Series train
winds up for a string of nine stops in 15 weeks starting with the
June 5th Time Warner Cable Road Runner 250 under the lights at the
venerable Milwaukee Mile. But before 1998 Milwaukee champion Jimmy
Vasser (#12 Gulfstream Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone) and 2004
Champ Car Rookie-of-the-Year candidate Roberto Gonzalez (#21 NII
Holdings, Inc. Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone) take the Green Flag
on the 1.032-mile oval, the PKV duo will travel to both Mazda
Raceway Laguna Seca and Road America for a furious five-day span of
testing. After moving into second place in the Rookie-of-the Year
standings with a career-best placing of ninth in his native Mexico
last weekend, Gonzalez will join teammate and 1997 Laguna Seca
winner Vasser just off the picturesque California coastline in
Monterey for the first leg of testing this Friday, May 28th.
Following the one-day affair, the PKV squad will pit in Wisconsin
Tuesday, June 1st for another one-off test day at one of Champ Car’s
most fabled circuits, the 4.048-mile ribbon of pavement at Elkhart
Lake.
5/25/04
Newman: Tony George spending on himself
From a Ryan Newman press release today - IS IT DISAPPOINTING TO SEE
WHAT HAPPENED AT INDY THIS MONTH? “I’m not that in tune to it as
Roger Penske is obviously. I don’t know everything that went on. I
know the car count wasn’t very huge and the driver count on top of
that wasn’t very huge. The sport changes for a reason. They’ll
figure out what’s going on and how to make things better. I know
they went through a lot of rule changes with the engines and cars to
make things safer. I think that was a big part of it. I’m sure there
were plenty of racecars around from the last couple of years that
would have been easily able to make it in the show. I think they’re
struggling for some teams in the series. I think there’s quite a few
unsponsored cars or at least some cars that were unsponsored until
they made the show. That’s one part of it. The other part of
it is there’s a lot of money that gets spent internally at
Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I’m talking about Tony George spending
it on himself.”
5/25/04
Petty & Elliott test at Daytona
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series drivers Kyle Petty and Bill Elliott kicked
off a two-day test session on Tuesday at historic Daytona
International Speedway in preparation for the 46th annual Pepsi 400
on Saturday night, July 3. Petty, who won his first career stock car
race at the World Center of Racing in the 1979 ARCA 200, tested the
No. 45 Georgia-Pacific/Brawny Dodge while Elliott, a two-time
Daytona 500 champion and two-time Pepsi 400 winner, shook down a
Dodge for Evernham Motorsports. Elliott, who is running a limited
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series schedule this season, is uncertain if he'll
compete in this years Pepsi 400. Petty is looking forward to his
23rd start in the 160-lap, 400-mile race. He has been visiting the
hallowed grounds of Daytona International Speedway before his first
birthday. He has memories of spending the Independence Day holiday
at Daytona Beach as both a kid and as a competitor. My
favorite memories are being about 11 or 12 and getting to come down
here and go to a beach, Petty said. This was the only place I saw a
beach. This is the only race track that's close to a beach. Just
remember that. We would come and stay over (at a hotel) on the
beach. The Pearsons would stay there and the Allisons with Davey and
Clifford. Donnie (Allisons) kids and the Jarretts. Everybody kind of
stayed at the same hotel so all the kids hung out together." Another
Pepsi 400 memory that sticks out in Petty's mind is his father
Richard's 200th NASCAR victory on July 4, 1984 with President Ronald
Reagan in attendance. Richard Petty edged rival Cale Yarborough by a
few feet to take the white and yellow flag and secure the victory.
5/25/04
Bernie secures Silverstone for at least two years
This Autosport
article says, The British Racing Drivers' Club which owns
Silverstone has announced a deal which secures the British Grand
Prix for another two years. The agreement comes in the wake of the
recent move by Interpublic to relinquish its long-term contract with
Ecclestone to promote the race. The statement runs: "Following
recent meetings between Bernie Ecclestone, representing Formula One
Administration, Sir Jackie Stewart, representing the BRDC, and the
British Government, a way forward has been reached that will allow
the British Grand Prix to be retained in the United Kingdom for 2005
and 2006.
More.....
5/25/04
It's official, Williams replaces Head
BMW-Williams have shaken up their team structure, elevating Sam
Michael into the role of technical director, replacing Patrick Head.
Head will oversee responsibilities as director of engineering, a new
post created for the longtime team shareholder. "Naturally, I am
extremely pleased to have been given such a positive vote of
confidence with the appointment to the position of Technical
Director," said Michael, who joined Williams in 2001 from Jordan. "I
share Patrick's view that this division of responsibilities will
free Patrick to take on an important strategic role, and the timing
allows me to take charge of the progression of the FW27 from the
outset. "When Adrian Newey joined us in 1990, I moved from Chief
Designer to Technical Director, and now I think the time and
opportunity is right to make a further change," said Head.
5/25/04
Mario and the two big TV networks
Mario Dominguez was interviewed by every Mexican media member on
Sunday after the race, but he gave TV Azteca most of his time, which
makes sense as TV Azteca has the largest coverage of Champ Cars in
Mexico. It's common practice with all drivers during an
interview to wear their team cap with all his sponsors on it.
However, Televisa ( TV Azteca's main competitor) is one of the minor
sponsors for Mario Dominguez and there is a small Televisa logo on
the side of the team cap. During all the interviews Mario was
turning right to answer journalist Marco Tolama, and every time he
turned the logo was visible. During the interview, Mario asked
the director of sports of TV Azteca (who was in Mexico City) if he
wanted something (meaning if he could send him a memento), and the
director started laughing and said, for starters you can stop
turning right so we can stop seeing the only ugly part of your cap.
After a few seconds Mario added, well here's the deal, I'll send you
this cap which I was wearing on the podium as a gift to you but you
have to put it in your hall of fame (they do have one in TV Azteca
offices). Yesterday the director received Mario's cap and yes, he
put it in the hall of fame, although there is a certain logo facing
the wall.. José Arrambide
5/25/04
Everything back to normal in Mexico
Friday through Sunday Fundidora Park was roaring with one of the
best forms of racing in the world, but yesterday morning the park
was again opened for the normal public. Once again the park
was full with people running, skating, jogging, walking or attending
either of the 2 museums. Today the Cineteca (2 movie theaters
for Independent and foreign films) will open to the public again.
José Arrambide
5/25/04
Michael Andretti to waste his son's
talent
Clearly Marco Andretti is a very talented driver. As he has
come up through the Champ Car ladder series he has won handily at
every level. Of course the Champ Car ladder is road racing
based, and if Marco were to continue on that path we could have
eventually seen him in Champ Cars and perhaps F1 where America needs
a big name driver to fight for the World title, something his
grandfather Mario won back in 1978, one of only two Americans to
ever do so. However, in this LA Times
article, Michael says, "He'll be here in a couple of
years, in the Infiniti [development series] race at least," said the
proud father. "It is fantastic how fast he has developed. He is
winning races everywhere he goes and he is way beyond where I was at
his age. It's not just his love of speed, it's the way he creates
opportunities on the track and then exploits them. He is
calculating, fun to watch because you never know when he will make
some creative pass," Michael Andretti says. Clearly
then, Michael Andretti plans to take his talented son to the 100%
throttle racing league where he will lose the edge on his skills
developed in the Champ Car road racing ladder system and forever be
overlooked by any of the top F1 teams as simply an oval tracker.
Too bad for Marco, and too bad for America. Hopefully he won't
become another sad statistic in the injury laden league.
Mark C.
5/25/04
Mosley hoping for new teams in 2005
In this press conference
held prior to the Monaco GP, Max Mosley said, "I would really hope we could see a new team in 2005," said the Englishman. "There is no reason why we shouldn't if we could get agreement. But they need to know very quickly. We can't wait much longer, 2006, certainly. The trouble is the existing teams, and one can understand it, want to defend their situation," he continued, "and they don't want somebody taking some of the money that could otherwise go to them. They have to
recognize that it is unhealthy, if you just keep a little cartel of people getting steadily older and you don't let anybody new in, it is not a particularly healthy situation, particularly in sport, and at a certain point it probably isn't even legal, let alone moral, so I think we can persuade them to open up, I hope we can."
One of the major obstacles preventing new teams coming into F1 in recent years, is the £27m bond that prospective entrants must lodge. This was introduced several years ago when teams were entering and leaving the sport at will, often on a race-by-race basis.
Mosley said that the bond could easily be dropped, thereby eliminating one obstacle for F1 newcomers. The bond at the moment is merely a sporting regulation," he said, "and that could be abolished, at the moment, for 2005. It was simply a device to stop endless people putting in frivolous entries," he explained. "That could be changed tomorrow, it is not part of the Concorde Agreement, it is just a sporting regulation. So it won't be a problem."
5/25/04
Indy 500 running out of gas
This MSNBC
article says, Open-wheel racing in trouble ever since IRL
split with CART. The 500 hasn’t been racing's biggest show for quite
a while. Daytona long ago took over that distinction. And for all
the forced optimism coming from the custodians of open-wheel racing,
this is a sport in big trouble. Nothing says it more than the
unseemly scrambling that went on over the weekend to find enough
cars to fill the 33-car field. Normally, qualifying means you have
to go faster than someone. In the good old days, faster qualifiers
on the last weekend could bump cars out of the
field.............This year and last, no one had a speed to beat.
Race officials said they’d take any “respectable” time. They
declined to be more specific, as their definition of respectable was
getting around the track four times with the engine running at the
end. You should have been there. If you could have slapped a couple
of decals on a Hyundai, you might have made the field. So seven
drivers, who had spent the week scrambling for such essentials as
sponsors, dutifully put in their laps this weekend and were slotted
into the field. Some of the speeds were the slowest since 1997. And
the guardians of a dying sport considered this acceptable. The
guardians of the 500 and open-wheel racing will say different.
They’ll say their sport is fine, even after eight years of turmoil
that set in when Tony George, the most recent owner of the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway, formed his own racing circuit, the IRL, in a split
with the established outfit, CART — Championship Auto Racing Teams.
The split came in 1996. The previous year, Jacques Villeneuve won.
In ‘96 Buddy Lazier won, a name worth remembering if only because it
will win you some bar bets........There was an audience for CART
races back then. There were even network television contracts and
you could see a race almost every weekend on TV. But it was tenuous
even in the good days. NASCAR was on the rise, and the open-wheel
race cars attracted a somewhat more sophisticated — which means
limited — crowd than the fender- and bumper-bashing NASCAR
machines.........So when Tony George declared his own racing series
featuring cars that weren’t as powerful as the CART cars, and the
tug-of-war over drivers inevitably followed, fans didn’t know who
they were watching — or why. Worse, the IRL series was run solely on
ovals, which removed the excitement of road racing, which is what
open-wheel cars do best......The overall level of support is
thin, and sponsors are increasingly hard to come by. And without a
roster of good-old-boy American heroes like A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, and
Rick Mears, fans are also hard to come by.......Like horse racing,
open-wheel racing has become something to pay attention to only
when the big races come around. The proof was at the brickyard this
weekend. Once, dozens of teams would fight ferociously for spots in
the grid. Now, anyone who showed up was welcome.........That’s
hardly the sign of the greatest spectacle in racing.
5/25/04 Formula Renault
Scott Speed wins again, other Americans show
well
Scott Speed won round four of the German Formula Renault Championship at TT
Circuit Assen in The Netherlands this weekend, with his Red Bull Junior
Teammates snipping at his heels every step of the way as the American talent
contingent has continued to improve every lap they run in their quest for
Formula 1 glory. The win is the second for Speed after just four races in the
German championship, (four total wins including Eurocup competition) as the
young American was also triumphant in the second round with a brave drive in
wet/dry conditions earlier this month in Oschersleben.
Colin Fleming, Dominique Claessens, and Speed all qualified in the top six for
the first race of the weekend, moving the benchmark upward once again, as the
threesome improved on last weeks’ qualifying effort which saw all three in the
top ten for the first time in the Red Bull Junior Team’s history.
At the start of race one, Fleming passed Speed for second place before Speed
retook the spot after a safety car restart. Fleming asserted himself once
again to retake the spot and set off to hunt down the leader, but was unable
to find a safe place to pass and wisely settled for second, with Speed behind
in third, and Claessens taking fifth.
Fleming, who had a disappointing weekend last weekend in Eurocup competition
when he saw two potential podium finishes vanish in tire smoke and car
problems, was happy to notch another podium as he continues to pursue the view
from the top step of the podium.
"I had the fastest car of all, but I just couldn’t pass the leader,” Fleming
said. “It just would have been too dangerous. And, after all, the second
position is not too bad!"
The second race of the weekend set the stage for Speed's win as he took second
at the start with Fleming giving chase. Speed shadowed polesitter Pascal
Kochem until Kochem made a mistake under braking and Speed pounced to take the
lead. The young American had a clear track ahead and cruised to a win with
Fleming joining him on the podium in third.
"Kochem made a mistake and I took advantage of it immediately,” said Speed.
“After that it was relatively easy to take off and clearly win the race. It is
a great feeling, especially after yesterday’s 3rd place!"
The 2004 Red Bull Driver Search program aims to discover and support the
"diamond in the rough," lacking the knowledge and contacts needed to embark on
a career in racing, as well as talented young drivers already in racing. The
long-term goal is to have a steady group of three to six American drivers
racing in Europe, groomed to break into Formula 1 and compete for the World
Championship.
5/25/04
Car access to Silverstone to be better
The access to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix will be improved this
year. The A43 divided highway will become part of the circuits one-way
system on the Friday of the event, in addition to Saturday and Sunday.
"We welcome the announcement," said Chief Constable Peter Maddison of the
Northamptonshire Police. "We recognize that the British Grand Prix is very
important to the local motorsport industry, to local tourism and to the
country. Spectator numbers will be greater on all three days of this year's
event and we will ensure that everyone attending the racing will get to
Silverstone as quickly and as safely as possible. Friday is likely to be very
busy with race traffic and we feel the road closures, and the diversionary
routes in place for non race-goers, will minimize disruption for all road
users during the weekend."
Bring back Pit Windows A reader
writes, The Champ Car officials have done a great job listening to the
drivers. They changed qualifying immediately when they realized they made a
mistake. It is great to see how fast a privately owned company can make things
happen. Now it is time to do some more.
Last season Champ Car racing was known for being an incredibly difficult
series to win. The main reason, their motto was "Real Racing, Real Sport." No
traction control, no power steering, no ABS brakes.....was the way. Also, the
format of the race was designed to rid itself of "luck" racing and rewarded
true speed. The fastest teams, cars, and drivers would win week in and week
out.......just like real racing should be. If you can't hack it, go somewhere
else and race. It was beautiful and pure, exactly what true Champ Car fans,
who have stayed through the thick and thin, love.
Nowadays, things are different......or more the same again. For two races in a
row, we have again seen that Champ Car racing is no longer about "Real Racing,
Real Sport." It is about waiting behind traffic to save fuel and to pass in
the pits. More importantly, it is about luck......not speed. Why even have the
push-to pass-button when it uses more fuel and the race has to do with luck
anyway?!
I am thrilled that Dominguez finished 3rd after "gambling" and getting lucky
in Mexico. How does someone spin out, go to the back of the field, only pass
4-5 cars and end up 3rd? Also, believe it or not, there was a point at the end
of the race where Rodolfo Lavin could have won the race if a yellow came out
in an 8 laps stretch. Could you imagine that? Something is definitely wrong
with this picture unless you like to play the lottery. Furthermore, it is
nearly impossible to even follow the race anymore, even for the extremely
dedicated fans. How in the world can we expect to pull in other fans when we
can't even follow it or explain it? How can the drivers and teams even be
motivated when you can be the fastest car all race and lose the race because
of an inopportune yellow flag?
I noticed they don't advertise the "Real Racing, Real Sport" motto
anymore.....it probably is correct. I guess now we are watching "IRL rules"
road racing.....if they don't change it back to the mandatory pit stops ASAP.
Champ Car officials, you have listened to the drivers in qualifying, now
listen to the drivers and FANS about the race format. You guys should know by
now that we are purists. If we weren't, we'd be watching manufactured racing
of the IRL/NASCAR/GrandAm. Bring back the mandatory pit windows and let them
race. Derek Hughes, Jacksonville, FL
5/24/04
Indy 500 gets blasted A reader
writes, Dear AutoRacing1, The Indy 500 really got blasted in a very good Robin
Miller interview on Wind Tunnel tonight. The fact is that the best
drivers still are not in it. Marty Roth is in it while guys like Paul
Tracy, Jimmy Vasser, Michel Jourdain, Sebastien Bourdais, and Justin Wilson
are not. Also a couple of callers phoned in disgusted. Everyone
seems to be fed up with the Indy 500. Doug Ferguson, Florida
Dear Doug, Everyone saw right through the IRL's lame attempt to get some
PR coverage by parading Tony Stewart out on camera to hype up Fill Day (Oops,
Bump Day). They got a black eye and found out fans are more intelligent
than the sheep they were hoping they were. Mark C.
5/24/04
Champ Car fans not happy with TV coverage
[Editor's note: We received many letters on this topic. Here is
one of many with a similar message.] I have to say how disappointed I
was in the coverage of Sunday's Monterrey Grand Prix on Spike TV. The
announcing crew was just average at best, but the worst part was that they
kept interrupting green-flag racing to go to commercials or those insipid
"up-close-and-personal" vignettes. Now, I like looking at Bronte Tagliani as
much as the next guy, but could we please restrict this stuff to "Dangerous
Curves" or at least to the yellow flag? It seemed that numerous times they
stayed with the "action" during a yellow and went to the promotional stuff
during the actual racing. On top of that, having just picked up HDTV at my new
house a couple of weeks ago, I was under the impression I would be able to get
the race LIVE on HDNET, but they ran an (ugh) Cyndi Lauper concert instead. My
only consolation is that with my Dish Network satellite service I got the race
live at 1:30 PM PDT instead of delayed to the West Coast feed. What gives?
Dave Bara, Seattle Dear Dave, HD Net broadcasts are only for the
domestic races. As for it not being delayed until 4:00 PM on the Pacific
Coast, how can you do that with satellite? Everyone is seeing the same
satellite feed simultaneously. Having it on at 4:00 PM in all time zones
can only be done with cable TV, and even that is tricky. As for your
other comments, most agree with your assessment. Mark C.
5/24/04
Drivers want more HP from Push-To-Pass
We polled several drivers in Monterrey this past weekend and all said the
push-to-pass button could use more HP. The extra 50 HP just isn't enough
to make a pass on a track like Monterrey where there is no long straight.
Many Champ Car tracks lack a long straight like at Long Beach, hence serious
consideration by Cosworth and Champ Car must be given to see if the current
1,200 mile engine can handle even more turbo boost for 60 seconds per race.
Mark C.
5/24/04
Water Cooler talk It seems
yesterday's result of the Monterrey Grand Prix was the biggest water cooler
talk (well, at least the men’s biggest water cooler talk) in Mexico on Monday
morning. People were talking about Mario’s luck, how they believed his
race was over. Then how close he came to first place, how Allmendinger´s
car caught fire, but curiously the hottest topic was the incident with
the safety crew. People were divided between blaming the driver and the
safety crew. The best part is that the people who got to attend the race could
discuss the topics with the rest of the office thanks to TV Azteca and their
live broadcasts of every race. I really do hope US fans get the
chance to have this kind of coverage (besides NASCAR I mean). Jose
Arrambide reporting from Mexico
5/24/04
USGP Schedule
(All times Eastern Standard, -5 hours GMT)
(Subject to change) THURSDAY, June 17
8 a.m.-noon: Public pit walkabout FRIDAY, June 18
9-10 a.m.: Formula BMW USA practice
11 a.m.-noon: Formula One practice
2-3 p.m.: Formula One practice
3:30-4 p.m.: Porsche Michelin Supercup practice
4:30-4:55 p.m.: Formula BMW USA practice SATURDAY, June 19
8-8:45 a.m.: Formula One practice
9:15-10 a.m.: Formula One practice
10:25-11:10 a.m.: Porsche Michelin Supercup qualifying
Noon-12:50 p.m.: Formula One pre-qualifying
1-2 p.m.: Formula One qualifying
2:30-3 p.m.: Formula BMW USA race #1
3:30-4:10 p.m.: Porsche Michelin Supercup race #1 (16 laps) SUNDAY, June 20
9:40-10:20 a.m.: Porsche Michelin Supercup race #2 (16 laps)
10:45-11:15 a.m.: Formula One grid presentation
11:46 a.m.: National Anthem
Noon: United States Grand Prix (73 laps)
2:15-2:45 p.m.: Formula BMW USA race #2
5/24/04
El Norte changes tune Today,
Monday, El Norte had a special section dedicated only to the Monterrey Grand
Prix. One of their stories said that although Friday and Saturday the
fan response was very cold, Sunday everything was different, grandstands full
of people cheering and having a party, showing the world that Monterrey is
already ready for the 2005 Monterrey Grand Prix. I don’t know what to
think about it, first they try to convince everyone the fans are not
interested in the race anymore, and then after the stands are full they claim
the city is ready for the 2005 event. Jose Arrambide reporting from Mexico
5/24/04
Kalkhoven: Champ Car ahead of schedule
In this ESPN.com
article, Kevin Kalkhoven says, "The first thing is that we
have a series whose economic base is a lot stronger than it was last year,"
Kalkhoven remarked as he surveyed the crowded paddock area at the Tecate
Telmex Grand Prix in Monterrey, Mexico from the PKV Racing hospitality area.
"We've got a series whose driver base is as strong as you can imagine, from
young rookies to Formula 1 guys, and the interest in the series for 2005
is very, very strong. I think people were waiting to know that we were
going to be here.
"Both from a financial and monetary viewpoint and from a planning and
execution viewpoint for 2005, we are actually ahead of everywhere we thought
we would be," he continued. "I think that is more than anything else a
huge credit to the fans. By turning up at Long Beach and by turning up here,
which is a race day sellout, they have shown the promoters this is the sport
they want to follow. Everything is at this moment okay. We're not
complacent, and at this stage the bad guys could still be hatching things. But
we're surprisingly comfortable."
"It's our intention to have a 2005 schedule out by September which will
continue to expand internationally and hopefully add some interesting new
things in the United States," Kalkhoven said. "In that respect, we are
well ahead of where we normally would be. It's pretty solid but we have a few
more things to nail down.
"We can no longer in the motor racing world just have races,"
Kalkhoven added. "Unless we've got promoters and cities and government
organizations prepared to back these events and turn them into what we have
here in Monterrey, just having a race for the sake of having a race doesn't
interest me and it doesn't do anything for anybody."
"We're going to keep the same package [car/engine] for 2005
because the teams need to know that the equipment they have will still be
good," Kalkhoven remarked. "We're exploring some options for '06, but I don't
want to stir up any speculation by talking about something that isn't
finalized. The main thing right now is that we're out there racing in '04 and
we're going to produce a 2005 schedule three months earlier than the
organization managed for the last couple of years."
5/24/04
Andretti to run in 600 DEI
continues to search for a full-time sponsor for the #1 car but plans on
running John Andretti this week with a Snap-on paint scheme for the Coca-Cola
600.
FoxSports/Sporting News
5/24/04
Obstacles to Indy Racing popularity
This Chicago Sun-Times
article
talks about some of the obstacles to making Indy Car racing popular again, but
misses out on the biggest obstacle of all, removal of the man responsible for
the split in the sport and its ultimate downfall. That man is Tony
George who took a sport with high TV ratings, flush with sponsors, big race
attendance and reduced it too B league status with his vision of what Indy Car
racing should be.
5/24/04
Buildup
to Indy nothing but a letdown This Chicago Sun-Times
article
says the way things stand now, the traditional prelude to the Indianapolis 500
has become a big yawn. It goes on to discuss some of the reasons for the
fall off in popularity, but misses the key point - Tony George's vision of
what Indy Car racing should be simply isn't what the customer wants, hence
they are not buying.
5/24/04
Bump Day achieves B movie status
This SPEED TV article
says It use to be the most sadistic, euphoric and dramatic day in May but now
it's simply the saddest. Instead of drivers hanging their butt out in a
last-ditch effort to make the Indianapolis 500, Bump Day has become a flat-out
farce and Sunday it turned into a pathetic side show. For the second
straight year nobody was bumped because, again, there were barely enough teams
to field the traditional 33 cars. The good news is that thanks to some
last-minute money transfusions longtime IRL regulars like Buddy Lazier and
Greg Ray were able to secure spots in the field along with deserving drivers
like P.J. Jones, Jeff Simmons and Richie Hearn. The bad news is that for
the second year it only took four laps, at any speed, to get in. When
Ray became the 33rd qualifier Sunday afternoon at 1:45 p.m. there was nobody
else left in Gasoline Alley to "compete" for a position.........Then it turned
into something that Humpy Wheeler or Barnum & Bailey would have been proud of
but it definitely belonged in a tent -- not at 16th & Georgetown.
More......
Another
big attendance day for Champ Car Sunday’s race day crowd of
94,514 bettered last year’s race day crowd at Fundidora Park. The three-day
total for this year’s race was 183,311, giving Champ Car a total attendance of
over 350,000 fans after two events. Not bad for a series the
naysayers said was dead. The IRL must look at envy at the kind of
attendance numbers the Champ Car series pulls in.
5/24/04
Mandarino & Andretti split Road America weekend [Editor's
Note: We have been following Marco Andretti's career from the
outset. He never fails to impress us, winning at every level. This
year he has taken the next step up the Champ Car ladder and he's winning again
in his first year, winning in equally prepared "spec" cars. He and
Mandarino may be future American stars in the making] Lorenzo Mandarino
in the dry on Saturday and Marco Andretti in the wet on Sunday scored wins in
the Skip Barber National double-header at Road America, the first time in
Victory Circle for each of them in the championship. Andretti collected 36
points over the weekend --20 for the Sunday win plus 16 for second place on
Saturday -- a haul of points big enough to boost him over erstwhile leader
Benny Moon as the series heads to rounds seven and eight in two weeks' time at
Hallett Motor Racing Circuit.
More...
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