P1GP, Competition for CART?

[nem]

There is a new European OW series to debut in July of 2002:

Premier1 Grand Prix.

All teams will use the same chassis/engine/tires:
Chassis- Reynard, ground effects, FIA/F1 safety rules compliance
Engine- Judd, 4.0L NA V-10, about 750hp.
Gearbox- six-speed, semi-automatic, paddle shift.
Brakes- Carbon Fibre
No electronic aids such as launch control, traction control.

Ten races scheduled in 2002, two of them in South America.
This series is reported to also be planning to race on ovals in the future. It is rumored that Bernie Ecclestone is secretly involved in financial support of the series.

http://www.planet-f1.com/news/articl...i/ENG?ref=8164

Will the new series make it harder, if not impossible, for CART to be successful in the international marketplace?

[nem]

There is a new European OW series to debut in July of 2002:

Premier1 Grand Prix.

All teams will use the same chassis/engine/tires:
Chassis- Reynard, ground effects, FIA/F1 safety rules compliance
Engine- Judd, 4.0L NA V-10, about 750hp.
Gearbox- six-speed, semi-automatic, paddle shift.
Brakes- Carbon Fibre
No electronic aids such as launch control, traction control.

Ten races scheduled in 2002, two of them in South America.
This series is reported to also be planning to race on ovals in the future. It is rumored that Bernie Ecclestone is secretly involved in financial support of the series.

http://www.planet-f1.com/news/articl...i/ENG?ref=8164

Will the new series make it harder, if not impossible, for CART to be successful in the international marketplace?

[KC]

I don't think it will cause much concern for CART internationally, CART is already doing that to themselves. There is a similar concept going on the US with stock cars and professional ballsports franchises.

The only way for a series like this to make it is to be able to survive the first few years when no one is coming and no one is watching. When I say no one, I mean crowds and TV audiences that make the sponsorship packages worthwhile for the teams to spend the money.

[SevenGrain]

I can't see this new Open Wheel spec-series as competition for CART of F1 any more than the proposed TEAM stock car series will be to NASCAR, or as the XFL (and the USFL before them) were to the NFL.

The first few years of the IRL were lean in the spectator department, but there was the strength of the Indy 500 to keep the league going. I can't see Premier 1 lasting very long, indeed I think pulling off ten races in their first season will be a challenge in and amongst itself.

On the postive side, Premier 1 should provide some seat time for displaced drivers. I understand Max Papis is looking into it.

[Nicholas]

Only if it gets going...

[Dr. Austin]

The last information I saw says that the debut of the league has been pushed back to 2003. Check Autosport.com for more.

However, with the ground effects and spec formula, It will will be good, close racing. The ground effects will minimize the effects of turbulent air and the guys will actually be able to RACE these cars. Without the clumsy throttle lag of a turbo, the car will be much more driver friendly and easier to flog about rather than just hanging on. 750hp will still make for some spectacular racing and if they keep the weight down the cars might be as fast as a champcar. It Might be really good. Damon Hill and Our Nige are rumored to be considering participating.

[Nicholas]

Cheap way to drum up interest.

[Dr. Austin]

Originally posted by nicholaswhite
Cheap way to drum up interest.

Certainly. Mansell won't command any $20 million this time around. But he just might be more exciting to watch than ever.

And if the show is exciting, who will care about chumpcars when they come to town?

[Nicholas]

Johnny Herbert wants to drive for Chelsea.

[Rob29]

Don't see that P1GP will in any way compete with USA based racing as its going to be Europe based+ Sth America.USA has NASCAR,CART & IRL which pull huge crowds,whereas nothing in Europe outside the 11 F1 GPs currently attracts anybody.