IRL doesn’t understand power of internet

A reader writes, Dear AR1.com, With most IndyCar races restricted to Versus and its tiny audience, it puzzles me why the TV shows aren't streamed live online. These days the distinction between broadcast platforms has just about disappeared, and there's lots of motorsport that's broadcast both on TV and online – DTM, WTCC, A1 GP, World Superbikes, etc. Champ Car used to stream the TV coverage, with a choice of the US and international feeds, for a modest subscription. Why can't IndyCar do the same?

IndyCar.com does have its free Race Control feature, but that doesn't include the TV coverage. Worse, it's actually blocked to anyone who doesn't have their computer screen set to the required resolution. It's one thing to warn that the service is "optimized" for a certain resolution so that it may not work perfectly otherwise, but it's ridiculous to stop people using it altogether.

As one of Justin Wilson's investors, I want to watch him racing, but I don't have Sky (which shows IndyCar in the UK) so I have to rely on the internet. IndyCar's failure to understand how to make use of the internet means I'm restricted to watching the timing & scoring display and listening to the radio commentary.

Doesn't IndyCar want an audience? Carol Stanley, UK

Dear Carol, It is crazy, especially given the limited international TV distribution for races not on ABC. We suspect it has something to do with their Versus TV deal that precludes internet broadcasting. With Versus IndyCar TV ratings already below infomercial levels, they cannot afford to see that number drop further. Mark C.