Newman/Haas end IRL rumour

[luke]

Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing have moved to refute rumours that the team could switch to the IndyCar Series next year.

According to gossip within the Formula One paddock in China, the multiple Champ Car title-winners had purchased four Dallara IndyCars. However, Newman/Haas/Lanigan team manager Brian Lisles denied this.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63049

[Knowlesy]

Not quite hilarious, but some much needed good news for Champcar!

Seems to be in the wrong forum though?

[Olive]

It doesn't mean it's not going to happen, just that it hasn't already... If ChampCar falls apart over the winter, I'd be sure NH would be in IndyCar.

[stradlin21]

did anyone actually expect them to jump to the IRL?

or is this just a stunt by Champ Car to gain interest for them

either way, it's totally irrelevent and shouldn't have been posted here

[stradlin21]

Originally Posted by Olive

It doesn't mean it's not going to happen, just that it hasn't already... If ChampCar falls apart over the winter, I'd be sure NH would be in IndyCar.

there is a decent chance that Champ Car could fall apart over the winter

the series has been crippled by weak entries, weak races and schedule problems

but perhaps Newman Haas would switch to NASCAR and leave open wheel completley

[Knowlesy]

They were looking to go to NASCAR but it fell through.

[luke]

It's IRL related so I posted it here. The laugh was because I found it funny there was even a rumor NH were coming to the Indy Racing League Indy Car Series. I thought the topic was big news and worth letting others know if there were rumors.

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by stradlin21

did anyone actually expect them to jump to the IRL?

NHL spokesperson suggested the rumour was started by someone with malicious motives. I wonder which series would have seen this as the perfect opportunity to try and destablise champcar further.

[stradlin21]

Probably by champ car to make them look good when NHL said "We are staying in champ car! the rumours are false!"

pretty pathetic really

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by stradlin21

Probably by champ car to make them look good when NHL said "We are staying in champ car! the rumours are false!"

pretty pathetic really

Actually if you did your research you would find the rumor was initiated by a poster on another forum who has a history of posting anti champcar garbage.

[stradlin21]

Originally Posted by mountainstar

Actually if you did your research you would find the rumor was initiated by a poster on another forum who has a history of posting anti champcar garbage.

Of course, no one here does that about the IRL do they

[JohnSSC]

Methinks the importance of fan forums is being somewhat inflated....

Seriously, the PR people for both Series would be able to accomplish nothing if they spent their time rebutting this or that rumor on this or that (insert series name here) forum as the accusations fly fast and furious...

[NAC]

Nice JohnSSC. I think you are on the money on this one

[Hazza]

Originally Posted by mountainstar

Actually if you did your research you would find the rumor was initiated by a poster on another forum who has a history of posting anti champcar garbage.

Ahh, your polar opposite I presume?

[climb]

INteresting excerpt from that article :

"A senior source within Champ Car added that the team's move would never happen while [co-founder] Paul Newman remained on the team. Newman has long been regarded as Champ Car's most loyal supporter"

Then the question is clear:
- The team are evaluating a switch to IRL, given the amateur level of their competitors
- Newman is contrary, es expected
- Then they'll have to decide if to let things like they are currently or part ways with Newman and go to the IRL: not that new, since thet team's latest Indy entry was "Haas Racing"

[JohnSSC]

Thanks NAC!

Carl Haas has always followed the $$. Now this is my speculation only, but it is no coincidence that Haas went from being the sole supplier of Lola bits and bobs to being the sole supplier of Panoz DP-01 bits and bobs. Absent that, he may not have fielded an IRL team, but he may no longer have fielded a CC team as I am sure the spare parts business contributes a lot to his overall ledger balance.

At the end of the day Haas will end up in the series that best suits his bottom line.

[stradlin21]

Originally Posted by climb

INteresting excerpt from that article :

"A senior source within Champ Car added that the team's move would never happen while [co-founder] Paul Newman remained on the team. Newman has long been regarded as Champ Car's most loyal supporter"

Then the question is clear:
- The team are evaluating a switch to IRL, given the amateur level of their competitors
- Newman is contrary, es expected
- Then they'll have to decide if to let things like they are currently or part ways with Newman and go to the IRL: not that new, since thet team's latest Indy entry was "Haas Racing"

I do think it's only a matter of time before Haas jumps to the IRL but it was never going to be done for 2008

2009 could be more realistic, there is little in champ car for Haas to stay in

[climb]

Originally Posted by stradlin21

I do think it's only a matter of time before Haas jumps to the IRL but it was never going to be done for 2008

2009 could be more realistic, there is little in champ car for Haas to stay in

Interesting slant stradlin, what makes you rule the 2008 entry out, and take the 2009 option for more realistic?

About Haas involvement in CC, of course as long as there is a spare parts business, he'll stay, but nothing could prevent him from doing like Rahal, which used to manage a team in both series.

[stradlin21]

I just don’t see it happening for 2008, it’s too soon

I think we’ll hear something in the back end of 2008 season about a defection to the IRL

That’s just my opinion, I could of course be miles off

Although, I do see Haas in the IRL some time

[D.R.T.]

Whats the incentive for Haas to joing the IRL at the moment though ?

An indy entry with NHL for sure, but IRL full time when he and Newman already have a fully functioning ChampCar team makes no sense

[JohnSSC]

$$$$$. Guaranteed money aside, do well at Indy and you could really have a big year. Keep in mind Dario took in $4.8 for the year compared to $1.1 for Seb ($610,000 in purses plus $500K Champ bonus).

An added plus is the additional sponsorship that being in the 500 could get you.

PS - for those of you with a bit of a dislike for the IRL, please note I said COULD rather than WILL or DEFINITELY WILL....

[D.R.T.]

The need to purchase IRL equipment, understand and learn IRL chassis and tracks etc erodes some of that money away. The extra costs involved in the IRL as outlined in the Miller article would also be a concern.

Honda isnt there waving the big cheques about any more like 2004, so it seems there is no meaningful advantage at the moment

[luke]

The indy 500 is fine for increased sponsor exposure etc but other races there's little difference to current cc races.

[climb]

Originally Posted by luke

The indy 500 is fine for increased sponsor exposure etc but other races there's little difference to current cc races.

Except for the probability to be cancelled...

[D.R.T.]

Hopefully the ChampCar organisers have that under control from 2008 and that wont be an issue.

At the moment it seems both series will have a declining schedule in 2008, low tv figures and fluctuating crowds depending on the event.

The Indy 500 as mentioned so many times is the key, ChampCar needs to find a way to get its teams running (even 1 car per team) in the event to sign up some sponsors.