[racefan20]

Originally Posted by IndyBound How many USAC teams require a driver bring cash or sponorship money to obtain a ride in the USAC divisions? Patti

I would say well over 50%. If you eliminate the self owned teams and HAR it may be pretty close to 100%

In regards to ride buying, blame NASCAR for distorting the views on this. The boom of NASCAR presented us with fully sponsored teams needing talented drivers. So people began to think "if I'm good enough, there's a team out there for me". Now as the economy is tanking, drivers like Gilliland, Kvapil, and Yeley (all very talented drivers) are finding out what the rest of the racing world knows: racers have to bring sponsorship to the table in order to race. PERIOD. Maybe this reality check could be the one good thing to come from the recession.

Oh, and Tony G is a spoiled brat who deserves to kicked to the curb. Yes, he gave short track guys a shot at the big league. But by funding it out of his own pocket, he was only feeding the "free ride" myth. The only things he did was 1.) eliminate innovation from the speedway 2.) killed the interest in Indycar racing. For that, he deserves the boot.

[kinser]

There is definitely no innovation there anymore. The latest issue of Flat Out magazine has an article on Roger Rager being inducted into the hall of fame. They tell the story about him bringing his own indy car to the speedway on an open trailer pulled by a pick up truck ! He qualified 10th for the 500 using an old wildcat chassis with a 350 inch sprint car engine !
Posted via Mobile Device

[Seadog]

Originally Posted by kinser There is definitely no innovation there anymore. The latest issue of Flat Out magazine has an article on Roger Rager being inducted into the hall of fame. They tell the story about him bringing his own indy car to the speedway on an open trailer pulled by a pick up truck ! He qualified 10th for the 500 using an old wildcat chassis with a 350 inch sprint car engine ! Posted via Mobile Device

I think it was very cool what Rager did at Indy. But it wasn't innovation. It was old school and doing it on a shoestring.

[LEADERS EDGE]

So many people say there is no innovation, but I believe not only has their been extreme innovation, but extreme evoloution. Sure you cannot just design and build whatever you want these days, but that is only because the sport has evolved so much that it's not feesable anymore. At least not in terms of great swings of styles and visions.

Lets be honest here, it isn't as if sprinters are exactly a place where great innovation resides anymore. Basically everything is exactly the same with some suspension points moved here and there.

In the 70's we had rear engined sprinters and people said they where unfair and ugly and the alike, so USAC listened and got rid of them. That in many ways changed the face of the sport, but it also kept the sport closer in competition and the costs somewhat in check. I was sad because I loved the rear engined cars, but thats how it is.

If the IRL allowed unchecked competition, then the costs would eliminate probably nearly all but two owners.

The cars put on good shows today and they are the safest they have ever been. They are also the most reliable as 20 cars finished with 19 on the lead lap. The best in history.

Sure there is an element missing today but honestly it actually keeps the racing better. Once other engine manufactures get back involved you will see some variety in that dept. To some degree.

As someone pointed out to me today, we are all very privilaged to be able to race or watch races. At least in this country it even feels like it is our right to do so. I guess my point is we can agree or disagree but you had better enjoy it if you wish to because nothing is guarenteed.

[Sprint63122]

Indy car racing could be a great series but they have a few problems just like everything else does these days.There biggest problem is they need to have Ganassi, Andretti, and Penske leave and start there own series called the GAP and let them spend all of the money so they can have the pushbutton controls on the steering wheel,spend way to much on wind tunnel and aero and run there street and road race follow the leader program they like and they can all socialize all weekend instead of really racing.The IRL can now go and get rid of all of the wings and areo packages no controls on the steering wheel and no computers on the car period bolt in your 355 chevy,ford or mopar motor fuel injected motor and lets see who can really drive a race car now open wheel indy car style.

[LEADERS EDGE]

The reason they run the road and street courses is because that is where the money is. That is where the sponsors are. They would have run those tracks with or without GAP. Make no mistake. Just because you don't see them at Kokomo; Ganassi,Penske, and Andretti are real racers. They compete on such a high level that it seperates them from everyone else and it does not matter what the cars are like, they will still be upfront. These people will always be successful at whatever they do because they are incrediable fighters and competitors.

As far as the computers and controls and all of that, is it needed? Not entirely, but it helps the teams. I'm sure many of those items will come and go like they have in the past, but I do like the pressure sensors to let teams know if they are losing a tire.

Lets see: MoPar is basically a foreign company. In fact it is beed passed from country to country. GM is basically a govt. run corporation and the last thing I want is the govt. anymore involved in my racing. The only company that I would feel comfortable with is Ford because they have to this point managed to avoid the others pitfalls.

Actually; I don't care who the engine suppliers are, but I would like to see more of them. Although Honda has done an outstanding job.

Instead of losing the wings I just would have liked to see a flat bottom car.

[brian26]

I've been lurking here for over a year, this thread finally made me register.


The rear engine formula was an attempt to get the Indy cars closer to the Grand Prix(F1) cars in the beginning. F1 has been in and out in some fashion or other for 50 years or maybe even more-----Like a bad woman who just could not figure out whos bed she wanted to sleep in. ENOUGH ALL FREAKIN READY , OKAY?!!!!

They were too high to come down and make IMS profitable with their venture and left after causing too much stink.



Guys, This is Indy we are talking about, "INDY"----no quarter a second time. F1 has spit on the Indy tradition once more by leaving as if they will return when it is possibly profitable again.

So I ask---why do we need to have rear engine cars that wannabe F1 cars? Out of date in 2 years, that's entertainment?


The offset roadster design was NEVER fully refined to what it could have been by today---Think Watson roadster meets East/West coast supermodified meets modern Indianapolis engines, tires and carbon fiber.



Otherwise, this whole argument about what should happen to Indy, is really just to argue about a situation that will never truly be resolved.

I believe Tony Stewart, I do not believe Milka Doughnuts.


Kokomo should be part of the Road To Indy, not a Brazilian road course we have never heard of.

[LEADERS EDGE]

Any racetrack across the world should be the road to Indy. It is and never was an American only playground. There has been foreign involvement since the first race.

A carbon fiber Watson is a kinda cool idea, but the very innovation everyone talks about resulted in the rear engined cars and the high speed designs of today. Besides, the Supers are an aquired taste and aren't universally appealing to all either. It isn't like the European road racers didn't have front engined cars themselves, but the rear engine design was an innovation that became a reveloution. They didn't even have wings on them for many years.

F1 and the foreign drivers never "spit" on Indy, Bernie Eccelstone is a myopic greedy turd who sucks to do business with. At least from all accounts, so he is really in many ways the problem. Yes I guess the argument can be made that "he" is F1, but I see it more as as a whole than one individule.

I think nearly every F1 driver who ran at the road course or has driven in the 500 over the years has great respect and awe of the place.

Tony brought F1 here as a business deal and he broke even with it. To me, once NASCAR came here, then they should have as many events as possible if they can make money. It's either sacred ground or Disney World. Besides, the bike people are the real pioneers as they had the first race.

I want Americans too, but there are many great Americans who do compete there and they cut their teeth on American road courses. All of us are just pissed that OUR guys aren't there. Well OUR guys need to be the ones who adapt to what it takes to be there, if that is what they want.

[RacinFool]

The only place to see a "modern" roadster with no wings is the Oswego speedway! But i'm bias in that way:2:But no matter a tubular chassis such as that would be a disaster at the speeds at Indy. Impact into the wall they would not disipate the energy.............Welcome Brian26.