Feedback – Is Champ Car at risk?
However even with the additional ‘carrot’ incentives he is proposing, they still would fall short as can only work if Champ Car was more fundamentally sound and better poised to sustain/grow than the situation is currently. Why is this?
It is obvious the market place is in the process of making a choice and continuing not to choose Champ Car in it’s present form. With the title of Jeff’s article, I thought he was going to address the fundamental issues of why it is at risk….such as, “Why is Champ Car relevant"? For example, there are many other overlapping types of global racing now so what is Champ Car’s niche is no longer clear (is there’s one at all anymore?). Also, is it a domestic series or international series…who/where is the ‘home’ fan base for sponsors to target as well as how can deal with the driver musical chairs? These and many other issues have been well documented previously in AR1 so don’t need to fully list all here.
I too am concerned about the future of Champ Car as a longtime fan. However, until the larger fundamental questions are addressed and more significant changes considered, Jeff’s proposals are only band-aids. It does not appear anything is happening quickly enough for the downward trend to change and the marketplace will continue to choose something else. Even possibly making 2008 Champ Car’s last season. For myself I even have begun asking the question “Would I miss it?". At this time with not much to look forward to for upcoming 2008 season with no new announcements on drivers and other details, my answer would be “No, not really". Kirk Gillette, Dallas, Texas