Champ Car making a big mistake
CCWS is developing itself into a true 'World Series'. Today CCWS isn't anymore in competition with the IRL, but in fact with Ecclestone's F1 circus (example: Bernie's – successful – attempt in 2007 to keep CCWS out of China). The IRL has all its races (15) in the US, apart from one – mandatory – visit to Japan (to please Honda …). They don't even visit Canada or Mexico, two NAFTA countries that are neighbors to the USA.
This year’s CCWS international schedule has only 6 races in the US, 3 in Canada (their neighbor country), 3 in Europe and one in both Australia and their other neighbor country Mexico! For 2009 CCWS are planning even more events overseas: Brazil, and somewhere in Asia … There are also rumors there could be a 4th race added in Europe.
So what is Tony George's problem? Well, he's afraid his own series might not have enough drivers in the – near – future. Most 'new' CCWS drivers are not really interested in the IRL's mainly oval series, they are not even interested in the Indy 500 as it doesn't fit in their future plans, the dream of racing in F1.
This 'new generation' CCWS driver, most of them from Europe and South America, don't know about the 'oval tradition' in the USA, and they are more focused on 'road racing' and they take the street races and airport races for granted.
They've noticed Bourdais' move from Champ Car to Formula 1 and they all think they can do the same, and they don't need ovals to do so! As such, CCWS is in a better shape and position then ever before, even though its own owners don't appear to be aware of this!
I just hope the CCWS owners, i.e. Kevin Kalkhoven, Gerald Forsythe and Paul Gentilozzi, will realize that in actual fact they have 'gold' in their hands.
This is my humble – European – opinion. Guenter Schmidt
Dear Guenter, Indeed Champ Car is by far the better series, however, it cannot survive due to low TV ratings and lack of sponsor support. The root cause of their problem is the fact that they fail to understand that the drivers popularity should be their #1 focus. There isn't a sport anywhere in the world that prospers without the athletes being the stars. Since Champ Car fails to understand this, or simply is unable to execute a strategy to accomplish this, they continue to flounder. And how do drivers become popular and establish a following when driver turnover is like playing musical chairs? Mark C.