Mario Recommends CART

DNQ · 29 Sep 2002, 02:15 (Ref:390843)

Just thought I'd inject some more positive thoughts into the CART forum - sorry if this has already been potsed.

Mario Andretti, 1978 WDC and Racing Legend had this to say to Motorsport News on the CART versus IRL war...

Quote:

"I think it is interesting to see what is happening to the series (CART). The fact that two manufacturers, Honda and Toyota, have defected to the IRL is a loss for CART. But I still think that the CART series has so much to offer in terms of diversity and the venues they go to especially Australia. It's a spectacular show. That will ultimatly prevail.

"The IRL series, in my opinion, is totally 'blah'. Some of the ovals they go to are just flat all the way around; you bolt out of (turn) four and steer and it's kind of a joke, actually. So I have no desire to be any part of that, quite honestly. There is no technical value and I just prefer road racing, anyway. I like ovals but there has to be road racing in there. An all oval series will never do for me."

I agree with basically everything he says. IRL is like NASCAR - maybe it's exciting, but in reality, it's not a true racing series. It's a show. CART is the real racing series. I hope CART pulls through

Tailwind · 29 Sep 2002, 02:56 (Ref:390850)

I've always liked Mario. There is no doubt that he is a true racer. He has been one of the best ambassadors of the series and, with his appointment to the board, a stake in it's future. I've still got to wonder what he thinks of Mickey going to the IRL.

Russfeld · 29 Sep 2002, 03:46 (Ref:390856)

Didnt Mario race in CART when it was all oval with no problems?

Lee Janotta · 29 Sep 2002, 04:34 (Ref:390865)

Hasn't been all-ovals for a _long_ time... USAC always had races at the Glen and Riverside.

And at the same time Mario was doing sports cars and smaller open-wheel cars, and occaisonally heading across the pond for a half-hearted attempt at F1. Drivers today, for whatever reason, rarely bother to do races outside of their normal ride for the season. This is one trend I really have to applaud NASCAR drivers for bucking.

Russfeld · 29 Sep 2002, 05:47 (Ref:390872)

Im not sure they have time. F1 drivers have 17 races a year so thats 68 days gone right there, plus another 40 days of testing, plus probably a good 20 days of PR. Wurz said last year he was boarding a plane on average every 35 hours. Whatever free time they have, im not surprised if they're crashed out on the couch.

f1manoz · 29 Sep 2002, 07:02 (Ref:390898)

Mario will know what he's talking about when he talks about real racing, as he's done it all.

Mario is a fantastic ambassador for CART and motor racing in general and I'll hold his opinion above any of the so-called experts who have never even raced.

muggle not · 29 Sep 2002, 12:11 (Ref:391041)

Nascar drivers run 36 races a year and some like Tony Stewart still find time to do a ton of other racing. Tony does it because he loves racing.

Mario has done it all and it is because of his love of racing that he did everything.

Liz · 29 Sep 2002, 12:14 (Ref:391047)

Mario, as has been said, wants to test himself in every possible forum. He has nothing to prove to anybody, and he has never been one to hide his light under a bushel basket either.

I always take great notice of the words of someone who has actually experienced what he is talking about.

Testure · 29 Sep 2002, 15:18 (Ref:391178)

Quote:

Originally posted by DNQ
"An all oval series will never do for me."

So what happens when the IRL adds 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 road races over the next few years??? Just a thought...

f1manoz · 29 Sep 2002, 15:26 (Ref:391189)

That would prove that Tony George is a complete liar. He's already proven to be a liar concerning what the IRL stands for - the competition is being dominated by foreigners (the only American able to mix it is the champ, Hornish), the engines next year will be mostly Japanese (that is, foreign) and Chevy will probably be overwhelmed and eventually pull out, and the original concept of the series was supposed to be all-ovals.

Add this to the fact that the IRL is going overseas next year, and the IRL is turning more and more into CART Mark II.

Jay · 29 Sep 2002, 15:29 (Ref:391194)

Cart w/ crapwagons.

macdaddy · 29 Sep 2002, 16:32 (Ref:391223)

I know it doesn't belong here, but I didn't want to start a new thread just for this...

Just read an article at IndyStar.com that read,
"Pook also said CART will keep Jimmy Vasser and develop 28-year-old Spaniard Oriol Servia."

...So even if he doesn't stay at Rahal, it sounds as if Jimmy will still have a seat somewhere. Great to hear.

Russfeld · 29 Sep 2002, 16:47 (Ref:391231)

Tony never really 'lied' The Vision was PR to begin with, it was never the reasons the split happened or the IRL was founded.

muggle mot yeah but Cup doesnt test anywhere near as much as F1, and Tony's the exception rather than the rule (also the occasional Ken Schrader appearance)

f1manoz · 29 Sep 2002, 17:03 (Ref:391238)

The Vision was a lie, therefore Tony George is a liar. Obviously you have a different definition of what a lie/liar is.

Russfeld · 29 Sep 2002, 17:26 (Ref:391250)

well you act like its a lie now because things changed. It was allways a lie. It was just a power play and The Vision was a press release. Its no different imo than the rest of BS PR statements that are issued. Though granted the effects of this one were huge.

Crash Test · 30 Sep 2002, 01:29 (Ref:391680)

I wouldn't think it would be Mario's place to knock CART, since after all, he is on their board of directors

macdaddy · 30 Sep 2002, 06:36 (Ref:391818)

He's on their board of directors because he won't knock CART.
Not for nobody's money.

mac · 30 Sep 2002, 07:23 (Ref:391872)

And he has only just been appointed to the Board of Directors. Not because CART are desperate to hang on to him, but because he wants to be there.

racer69 · 30 Sep 2002, 12:01 (Ref:392100)

I wouldn't say that TG lied, it's just that the objectives over the years have changed, he has found more road race orientated teams and drivers entering and wants to accommodate them. When/If CART drop ovals completely does that make them liars also because they once said they had the most diverse series that tested multiple disciplines?

Mario's on the BOD's because he wants to help, and is trying to show his support, similiarly by trying to set up a team

Liz · 30 Sep 2002, 13:20 (Ref:392173)

Well, I guess the truth on TG lies somewhere in between, depending on one thing: has he changed his Mission Statement? Or does he still maintain that he is an All American all oval series devoted to giving American drivers preference over "furriners" and "ferrin engine and car manufacturers"? If so, he's a liar.

Tiresmoke · 30 Sep 2002, 14:12 (Ref:392220)

TG made a lot of wrong turns in developing his series and I won't be surprised when all this comes back to bite him in the arse.

If I were Chevy and I was part responsible for helping build TG's series, then Honda and Toyota are welcomed in with great fanfare and I'm left sitting on the sideline, I'd pull the knife out of my back and start re-sharpening the blade. Nissan already felt the heat from the flame and backed out before they could get too severely burned.

TG has shown little care for anyone besides himself. To Honda, Toyota and all the defectors: Watch out for yourselves.

Russfeld · 30 Sep 2002, 15:39 (Ref:392281)

Quote:

Originally posted by Liz
Well, I guess the truth on TG lies somewhere in between, depending on one thing: has he changed his Mission Statement? Or does he still maintain that he is an All American all oval series devoted to giving American drivers preference over "furriners" and "ferrin engine and car manufacturers"? If so, he's a liar.

Well it'd be your mistake for beleiving the mission statement to begin with.

paul-collins · 30 Sep 2002, 17:25 (Ref:392392)

Quote:

Originally posted by Russfeld
Well it'd be your mistake for beleiving the mission statement to begin with.

... because we should assume that whatever issues from Tony's mouth is BS.

Right?

Russfeld · 30 Sep 2002, 18:08 (Ref:392429)

not Tony, but really anyone in racing. Dont just accept it as the gospel, the entire sport is built on perception vs reality.

Liz · 30 Sep 2002, 19:10 (Ref:392473)

Um, that doesn't actually make any sense at all.

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