Ansan Korea: Going, Going, Gone……
Written by George Katinger · September 29, 2005
Yes Champ Car fans, the inaugural race from Ansan Korea has been cancelled. Now, instead of having to wait until October 16th for the next race, we will have to wait until October 23 for the Surfer’s Paradise event from Australia.
speedtv.com: Champ Car Postpones Ansan, Korea Race to ‘06
canada.com: Champ Car cancels race set for mid-October amid operational issues
tsn.ca: Champ Car postpones Korean race
Regardless of who’s fault this is (CC’s or Korean promotors), it’s not good for the series. This years schedule has been so spread out that it feels like there is no series at all. Not a good thing! When the IRL is selling Danica for all it’s worth, what positive energy of any kind is forthcoming from OWRS? Not much.
When the IRL announced it’s shortened 2006 schedule all of Champ Car wailed it was an indicator of impending doom. While it’s not a positive, it also isn’t the end of racing for the series as we have come to know it. The cancelling of a race just weeks prior to the event is much worse, and a sign that things really aren’t as rosy as OWRS would have us all believe. It certainly creates doubt in the minds of sponsors, potential sponsors and TV executives considering any broadcast rights contracts.
While all of the reasons OWRS states for cancelling the event (the track wasn’t finished and fees unpaid) make sound business sense it still leaves a bad taste in the mouth of the fans and creates additional fodder for the argument that they are not long for existence. In spite of the money OWRS’s partners continue to pour into the series in their efforts to make it work.
Comments
7 Responses to “Ansan Korea: Going, Going, Gone……”
Got something to say?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
It’s a pity for Champ because this would have made a perfect entry in the calendar for the Pacific Rim market. Now it’s only Australia, perhaps they could investigate a Japanese round, but not the Montegi oval, Fuji would make for a great inclusion & is available. The crowd would be the usual Japanese motor sport big turn out as well as strengthing Champs credible positioning of races outside of Continental America.
Huge problem with Fuji. It’s owned by Toyota. Can you imagine an entire series powered by non-toyota engines at Fuji?
It’s a shame about the Korea race, it’s got to start looking like Champ Car hates Korea.
I’m not so sure Wholly,Fuji hosts Formula Nippon(F3000)at least twice a year, the cars are all Honda powered & Bridgestone shod. If the can run that on home soil I don’t think Champ would represent a conflict of interest.
I’d certainly expect more troubles with a Japanese manufacturer than Cosworth.
I know that they’ve done some modernization…
I guess there’d be no danger of Toyota winning an F1 race there.
On the subject of Fuji hosting a F1 round, it is not inconceivable in the near future. The fight for honour between the two rising sun marques on home soil is often overlooked in the West, Toyota have made no secret of their desire to host a F1 round at Fuji over Honda owned Suzuka. If there were to be a break away series you could bet on two Japanese rounds. It is not that far fetched to think that Bernie would be offering both tracks a race if their owners would sign to the post 2007 Concorde Agreement. Personally I think it would be brilliant, a Japanese round at the start of the season & one at the end, as a track Fuji is as exciting as Suzuka.
I think it would also help lock in manufacturer support.
Although it’s pretty hard to claim the Jordan/Toyota a great example of Toyota engineering. The Red Bull is making Cosworth look pretty good.
….or is it the Cosworth making the Red Bull look good?
With Honda buying out the BAT shares from BAR today, I think a sell-out by Honda from the GPMA to Bernie will be eminent.