Korean date, yeah or neah?

[Jazner]

What do you guys think of the race in South Korea?

I myself don't have a problem with Korea as a race site, but I think there's way too many good places to race in the U.S. and Canada that should, in my opion, take priority. First of all, that's gonna be one seriously expensive trip for teams, and when you're in a cost-cutting mode, like Champ Car is to stay afloat, a trip that expensive had better bring in some serious loot.

Secondly, I know Champ Car wants to be an international success, but you've got to crawl before you can walk. OWRS should focus on its own back yard (i.e. the U.S. and Canada) before trying to bring in other countries. Champ Car is by no means a RAGING HIT in the states anymore, and it could be.

Like I said, it's nothing personal against Korea. It's just business.

[jjspierx]

From what I understand, sanctioning fee for a Champcar race in America is going for about 1 million dollars. I'm sure it varies per venue, and lots of other contractual obligations are involved. I have also heard that S. Korea and S. Africa have offered up to 5 million dollars to host a Champcar race. That should more than pay for all of the traveling expenses and it is loads cheap than those countries would pay for an F1 race. Right now I think a lot of venues are skeptical about paying 1 million dollars to host an event that there is little to no guarentee they will make a profitable return on. I think now is a perfect time to further internationalize the series. In a year or two if the series seems to be gaining in popularity, the N. American venues will be more likely to negotiate deals with Champcar. We'll just have to see what the future brings, but I personally think having this race in S. Korea will be a good thing for the series.

[mueber]

It's fine if they get paid for it. They have no choice but to go where the money is. Rumor has it that the date may go to Mid-Ohio. That's better for me.

[Dov]

Hi mueber,
The Seoul, South Korea date is confirmed, but Robin Miller was saying yesterday that possibly 1 of the 2 TBA races (South Africa/Las Vegas) may end up going to Mid-Ohio. I've always liked Mid-Ohio (I seem to be one of the few on this forum that do), but I wouldn't mind seeing races in Durban, SA or LV. That said, CC's must learn to crawl before they learn to walk and then hopefully run!

[jjspierx]

Dov - I am with you about Mid-Ohio. Its a great track with lots of history. Extremely technical, elevation change and its been a part of Champcar for many many years. I would love to see it stay on the Calendar.

[mueber]

Geez. I saw the Robin Miller piece too and confused South Korea and South Africa when I replied.

BTW: Mid-Ohio is only 160 miles from my door. I've been going to the Champ Car races there for years. That cancellation really hurt. If they can work it out to the benefit of MO and OWRS, I'll be a happy boy.

[Tenoch]

I'd like to see Korea and South Africa happen, then again I again I will be going to school in Ohio so I'd stick with Mid-ohio. Just because cleveland would be during the summer and I cant make that. Korea and South Africa are too much of a barrel of monkeys right now, but if the five million is true then lets get the party started.

[Ac.]

The one thing that OWRS(through former CART staff) does know is how much it costs to travel abroad.
http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=7261
Foreign events are sure to be structured so that they are risk free for OWRS, providing the grid is full.

If we have learned anything from the launch this week it is that most of the new sponsors and money in Champ Car are not coming from North America, but from emerging economies such as Mexico and Central America. Even Canadian corporations have failed to step up and sponsor the series champion and his teammate even though they are well know in Canada.

I'd like to see more races in the US too, but that may be a few years coming, if at all.

[Jazner]

If S. Korea is prepared to offer that much money to host a race date, then so be it. that makes total sense. However, I still stand firm that more needs to be happening stateside. I'm so disappointed about St. Pete, it's unreal. Plus, there are so many places where Champ Car could make a name for itself. I'm in favor of dropping the fees to host a race, and hitting the bigger U.S. markets. From there, promote like a son of a gun, and prove to people that you have a product worth coming to see. make it affordable, and entertaining. Then people will come. Once that happens, start rasing the rates. The bottom line is, most people are skeptical about Champ Car's future, and the quality of it's product. It's up to OWRS to change their minds, and if they don't get to see the product, up close and personal, that won't happen.

By the way, I'm also in favor of Mid-Ohio.