They cut the price in half nearly, the engines will be cheaper, the state is giving them a $100,000 tax credit what more do they want. I think we will see more teams in 2012 than ever before.
Sorry, but regardless of the cost of the new cars, the owners have a very valid point. The series put the horse before the cart when they signed the contract with Dallara before they even knew whether the teams were on board or not. $250,000 for car #1 and $300,000 for all subsequent cars sounds like a good deal, that is if you're a new team just starting out. But in this economic climate, if you're an existing team and you already have a stable full of present day cars, it would be a big chunk of change to replace all of the cars and build a supply of spares for the new design.
I think we have the making of another bad phase in Indy Car racing.
Not that it matters to any of this, but personally speaking, I think that the new design looks hideous.
Originally Posted by Hawker:
Sorry, but regardless of the cost of the new cars, the owners have a very valid point. The series put the horse before the cart when they signed the contract with Dallara before they even knew whether the teams were on board or not. $250,000 for car #1 and $300,000 for all subsequent cars sounds like a good deal, that is if you're a new team just starting out. But in this economic climate, if you're an existing team and you already have a stable full of present day cars, it would be a big chunk of change to replace all of the cars and build a supply of spares for the new design.
I think we have the making of another bad phase in Indy Car racing.
Not that it matters to any of this, but personally speaking, I think that the new design looks hideous.
They are putting the cart before the horse in another way. The look of the car shouldn't drive the design. It should be a product of engineering and function. Unfortunately sports marketers don't see it that way.
I find the heading funny. It’s RM being RM....I like his reporting most of the time. He says owners REJECT the car and then if you read the owner quotes, that bold statement is not backed up. Are they happy right now? No, but I would hardly say it will be rejected. Racers race so the cars will be purchased. No offense to Conquest, but I could care less if their two-car-ride-buying team goes away. Who cares…..they add no value to the series. Two foreign drivers with a checkbook is what they need to move away from. There are some small teams that it will hurt. Coyne is an example. He’s been a good owner with little money for 25 years. A lot of good drivers got their start with him. That’s the type of owner I feel for. I have no doubt that he’ll find a way though….he always does. There will be some brand new teams that come on board as a part of the cheaper car. I think that is something they are really banking on. There has to be a new start at some point….the current car is used up….that’s why two teams win pretty much every race….they have gotten that last 2% out of the car. If they wait until teams have money, there won’t be a new car until 2020. They have to draw a line and go forward.
As for the design, the teams can make the car look however they want to within the rules. The drawings are just ideas….that’s not what the car will necessarily look like. The only “stock” item for the car is the tub. Teams can design the look of the car themselves (as long as they make those pieces available to all teams that would want to buy them) if they choose to or they can buy the body work and wings from a supplier who designs it. So there will be cars that look different….you know Penske will build his own stuff. You will be allowed two “body designs” for the year so a car could look different from race to race. A team can pick what they want to use each race. I think it’s a good compromise of having some R&D and keeping costs down. You open it totally up and the same two teams keep winning. At least this gives a chance to hit the reset button.
They put the cart before the horse in the early 60's. Let's put the horse back in front of the cart - engine in front.
In another way they have just a horse because CART is dead.
I think Miller is just trying to make some news here instead of just being a reporter of it. When he slants the news as much as he does, it becomes more of his skewed view than fact. Are all concerned happy? No. But I would bet more are in bed with this than the "Owners Reject 2012 Car" headline would imply.
Its real simple to me, 5 cars have a chance to win every single week. At each race 1 or 2 of the rest of the field pop up and have a chance or they sneek out the rare win. Do Canassi and Penski want to keep the current car? Sure they do, they are dominate. Reinbold, will he have a car on the lead lap this week? Not likely, because 1/2 of his cars will be in the wall. Do I feel sorry for Dale Coin (sp)... No the guy is not an idiot, he will go buy some 2 car garage in speedway so he has the address, then will collect his 100,000. I really think Foyt made the correct statements in this article. Keep moving forward!
Originally Posted by Seadog:
They put the cart before the horse in the early 60's. Let's put the horse back in front of the cart - engine in front.
In another way they have just a horse because CART is dead.
Stretch the wheelbase a bit and you have a real Indy RACE Car. Fat chance of that ever happening though.
The cart is really before the horse in that it involves the IRL keeping Panske, Ganassi and Andretti happy. If these three walk to ALMS or wherever there goes about half the field. I say let them slug it and see what "pretty" sled they prefer. Things could be worse. These three amigos could make their way into the world of sprint car racing. Then they would muck up our sport too.
IMHO Indycar should stay the course. I honestly think you might see more teams created due to it and someone without a billion in sponsorship get a chance to run.
As for the same two teams winning. What makes you think they won't be after the change? Its not all the Car. The staff at both these teams have years and years of experience both on and off the track.
