Autoextremist

The Snout · 22 Jul 2004, 02:42 (Ref:1042776)

Something that's doing the rounds. The end sentence is of interest.

http://www.autoextremist.com/page3.shtml

Kevin Kalkhoven, Gerald Forsythe, Paul Gentilozzi and Tony George. "Following on the initiative of Roger Penske to explore a unification of open-wheel racing, ownership representatives of Champ Car World Series and the Indy Racing League have met with Mr. Penske to consider the issues. While ownership representatives from both series agree that one open-wheel series is the optimal situation, it is the belief of all involved that the time is not right for further discussion of unification. Both parties appreciate the efforts of Mr. Penske, and both parties believe that each has a better understanding of where common ground exists. No more meetings are planned and both series are moving forward with their future plans." With that statement, the Champ Car World Series principals (Kalkoven, Forsythe and Gentilozzi) and the head of the Indy Racing League and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Tony George) refused to give any ground and come to an agreement on a joint Indy/Champ car open-wheel series last week - and once again doomed major league open-wheel racing in this country to perpetual also-ran status when compared to anything NASCAR. Roger Penske tried to bring the two parties together - in vain - and now the very survival of major league open-wheel racing in the U.S. has to be seriously considered. Not counting the U.S. GP, there is only one event that captures worldwide attention in terms of open-wheel racing in this country - and that is the Indianapolis 500. All of the other races mean nothing in the larger scheme of things. The Indy Racing League has that race and nothing much else. And CCWS has heavily attended events in Canada and Mexico, and nothing much else (Long Beach? They could run go-karts in Long Beach, and people would show up). At this point, we've written all there is to be written on the subject and said all there is to say - and we've been doing it for going on five years now. We said a few weeks ago that Penske's initiative was major league open-wheel racing's last best hope for survival, and now, it, too, has failed. The only thing these four men care about apparently is their own out-of-control egos, because they certainly couldn't care less about what's best for the greater overall good of the sport of open-wheel racing - or its fans. It's disgusting, it's unconscionable, and it's flat-out unforgivable. The TV numbers will continue their death spiral, the attendance will continue to be spotty, and major league open-wheel racing in the U.S. - except for the annual running of the Indy 500 - will settle comfortably into its role as a second-tier racing series. Watch for one of the IRL's major engine manufacturers to announce in the coming weeks that they won't be back in 2005. It's just the beginning of the chaos to follow, on both sides...

Kicking-back · 22 Jul 2004, 13:44 (Ref:1043414)

We shall see.

My feeling's a bit more positive than this.

Tim Northcutt · 22 Jul 2004, 15:50 (Ref:1043578)

GM is known to "pull out" when they're getting their butts kicked....and apparently, they are frustrated right now....

Or it could be Toyota...who knows....

They might not be back next year....

My Thoughts on this:

GM had it easy when only Nissan was their competition...they got complacent, and when Toyota and Honda came aboard, they were behind in their development curve...Cosworth had to bail them out....

Let's see how they run at Michigan with an updated engine.....

As for Toyota.....they are spending a hell of a lot more money in F-1 and getting their butts kicked a lot worse in that series than they are in the IRL....

and I don't ever think that the NASCAR fans will accept Toyota teams in the NEXTEL Cup....they have been screaming about them all season in the Truck Series....

and it is all nationalistic....not an American company, blah, blah blah....

Let's see what happens....

But if one is going to leave my bet is on Chevy....

GP Racer · 22 Jul 2004, 20:18 (Ref:1043834)

That article is way to negative!

I can't speak for the CC situation, but in my eyes, the IRL is looking damn good. Look at all the positive things that have happened in the series. We now have 3 engine manufacturers, which besides rumors and D&G, don't seem to be going anywhere, we have a great new long term TV contract, 2 competitive chassis, arguably the best open wheel drivers in racing today, good sponsorship, considering how bad it is everywhere, and most importantly, all the top teams are coming here. Also, lest I forget, it's the most hard fought, and competitve series out there today.

So why all the D&G now? Is it because the IRL has finally hit the big time, and become the dominant series? Yeah, thats probably it...