CART to race in Korea!?

[Dov]

From the Sundaymail.news.com:http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au...5E2765,00.html

The Surfers Paradise race's future appears to be set in concrete with Weathered Howe revealing its involvement in a planned Korean race.

One of the few downsides of the Coast race has been transporting the American teams to Australia.

Organisers had hoped Japan might host an event to spread the travelling costs

Weathered Howe chief executive officer Chris Hamon said the Coast company was negotiating with a private-public Korean consortium for an Indy race in Seoul from 2005.

[Omega99]

Korea, eh? Not bad. It would likely be a very successful event right from the beginning.

[f1manoz]

Is CART popular in Korea, that's the only thing I wonder?

Plus, the cost would come into effect. Would it be straight after/before Gold Coast Indy?

[enemy-ace]

They would be popular there if you put a Hyundai engine in the back.

[3state]

Encouraging the likes of Hyundai to participate. Now there's an idea Given that they want to establish themselves as a serious worldclass manufacturer this makes a lot of practical sense

[macdaddy]

The article states, "Weathered Howe chief executive officer Chris Hamon said the Coast company was negotiating with a private-public Korean consortium for an Indy race in Seoul from 2005."

It does not say that CART is negotiating with anyone.

So perhaps "negotiating" was the wrong word? Perhaps Seoul is "getting pointers" from the Coast organizers, in the hopes that they will be able to provide CART with a sound platform in their attempts to lure the series?

[Russfeldo]

Why doesnt CART just linkup with the Korean F3 race?

[macdaddy]

Q: Is Hyundai Korea's only major engine manufacturer? And how 'bout tires?

[Omega99]

Well, I suppose they also have Daewoo and Kia... If anything, the series would benefit most if it attracted sponsors from Korea. Major technology companies like Samsung and LG would look good on Champ Cars. Of course, that's why they went to Europe wasn't it...

[gttouring]

good idea if they do a 3 week stint, Australia, Korea Japan and then back to the states, would be too bad
and getting Hyundai involved in the engines or even a chassis builder might be pretty neato. they do have turbo experience...

[Dov]

I doubt CART could afford to go to Korea and Japan besides going to Austrailia.....so it would be either Austrailia and Korea or Austrailia and Japan.

[macdaddy]

Australia + Korea / Australia + Japan...
Would you like my heart to answer? Or my brain?
They tell me two different things.

Personally, I think that looking into 2005 and beyond requires a crystal ball. Everything that I thought would happen this year... didn't.

[GP Racer]

You've really got to be kidding. Is CART in any shape to go around the world gambling on new venues right now? They can't even afford to go back to Europe next season, where we already know they like CART, is very race friendly, and would have far better odds of success than Korea!

They need to figure out a solid strategy for North America first before they look to long shots like Korea. Attract big American sponsorship, some good, young talented American drivers, more chassis makers and watch this series go back to there glory days. Of course, this is only IMHO! LOL!

[macdaddy]

Sign a contract to supply something...
We'll race in your country.

Either that, or pay for the shipping-and-handling!

[zerO]

There's a good chance that OWRS (exCART) will go to Korea in '05 ?!

First of all - we need to keep in mind that OWRS has promised (in their SEC filings) that they shall continue with the series along the same path that Pook's "Vision" has taken it - ie: new engine formula in '06 - and that will require returning to racing in Europe and elsewhere... Hyundai/KIA have been lookng into coming to CART when the new engines kick in since last year - before Pook switched back to turbos... and in order to get any new engine manufacturers - racing in their respective countries will be one of the requirements...

zerO

[corkholio]

It can't get any better than a battle royale between Hyundai, Daewoo, and Kia!

On a related note, the only idiot who believed the Kia rumor was none other than Jack Arute.

[Snrub]

As long as they can guarentee a big crowd then sounds like a great idea. If they can get a race crowd of 100k then they'll make much needed money for CART and it will be well worth it.

FYI: GM bought Daewoo and Hyundai bought Kia.
IMO Hyundai has a lot to gain by being in CART. Hyundai has a image problem that's not longer just. The produce cars of equal or better quality to GM and Ford now, so they need to dispell the myth that their brand is somehow inferrior.

[zerO]

Originally posted by corkholio
It can't get any better than a battle royale between Hyundai, Daewoo, and Kia!

On a related note, the only idiot who believed the Kia rumor was none other than Jack Arute.

Hey Corky,
Hyundai and KIA are part of the same company.

Hyundai already has a big presence in US motorsports - rallying and off-road racing... KIA, on the other hand, has been outselling (in US) Hyundai models lately and are about to introduce their sports/luxury line... so, a Lola-KIA in '06 is a possibility... then we can start all the "Killed In Action" jokes... hihihaha...

zerO

[paul-collins]

Isn't Hyundai related to DC?

[macdaddy]

I can see it now...

Powered by Daewoo, built by Chevy, with technical assistance from Cosworth and Ford

[paul-collins]

Cosworth-Ford, or Cosworth-Audi?

[macdaddy]

"PookVision" has always seen a race on the Pacific Rim.
But then again, it has also seen additional European rounds.
On that front, there's been an abrupt reversal.
That's not to say that they won't race in Korea...
But I'll believe it only when I see it.

[DNQ]

I have long though Korea would be a tremendous venue for a Champ Car/F1 race, especially after the world cup there last year. They could pull a big crowd there, and really get the country behind it. Of course, I hope they make a good track!

[champcarman]

It is not a matter of whether any Series can "afford" to go to any country. An event has to make economic sense. Usually this means some form of Government involvement. If the State or City can see, or be sold on, the economic benefits then an event has a chance of happening and therefore attracting Government investment. This way Series, Teams and drivers can benefit economically as well. I think CART realises that you don't go anywhere if it does not make economic sense. F1 has done this very successfully over the years.The Queensland government can see real ecomomic benefits for the State, the Gold Coast and the Series obviously sees the Q,ld. race as economically sensible as well. If similar or further economic benfits can be seen in having a Korean event whether in conjunction with the Gold Coast event or not then it might go ahead.

[Tailwind]

This whole idea makes a lot of sense to me. There are a lot of high tech companies in Korea who market to North America and Europe. There are untapped primary sponsors there. I have to admit that the first I heard the idea of a Hyundai powered Champ Car didn't have the right sound. I still remember the cheap throw away cars they built in the late 80s. I know that the quality of their product has improved a lot since then. If I have the typical viewpoint of people in North America then them using Champ Cars to boost their image would be a good move. If they market the racing connection (along with their WRC ties) it could work well for both Hyundai and CART.