Why Is Tony George Smiling
Written by George Katinger · September 6, 2004
Maybe with the addition of road courses to the IRL schedule next year, he can see light at the end of the tunnel. And it’s not the head light of the Champ Car train bearing down on him!
sportsillustrated.cnn.com: R-r-r-rumbling along, George revels in series’ milestone
It would be the light of day and the end of the long night of head to head competition against his nemesis series. The posted interview is supposed to be a reflection on the IRL’s 100th race and how far the series has come since it’s inception in 1996. I think of it as the precursor of the end of the Champ Car series. With the successful addition of three road courses next year, and hopefully more in the coming years, Champ Car is under the most serious threat yet.
Tony’s observations on the competitivness of the oval races is right on the money, and if they can combine (or recombine, as it used to be) road and oval racing once again, Champ Car is in big trouble. The first sign would be the IRL moving into markets once held by Champ Cars, like St. Petersburgh. With the exception of the Canadian sites, I believe most other Champ Car venues are susceptible to being grabbed up by the IRL. Long Beach, Road America, and untill recently Portland, have been waivering in their Champ Car commitments, and all may opt for better marketing opportunities under the IRL. Portland has resigned with Champ Car, but it’s only a three year commitment. And I’m sure there are out clauses.
In any event, it’s a hearty congratulations to the IRL on their 100th start and hopefully a long term commitment to the road course aspect of the series beginning next year.
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I can’t help but wonder if the IRL can put on a decent road course race. There are a couple of major question marks here.
First, are they going to allow a different engine package for the road courses? IRL drivers already complain about the lack of passing power on ovals, and this will be magnified geometrically on road courses.
Also, I know they’re already committed to GForce and Dallara chassis, which have been underwhelming in their road course performance from what I’ve read.
So I have to wonder about the quality of road racing (or lack thereof) we will see in IRL until they find a reasonable balance in their engine and chassis programs to make the cars pass on the roac course while also staying on the ground in multiple grooves in the ovals.
The sketchy chassis might (MIGHT) actually aid in passing for the IRL. I caught a CART road race from the late 80s/early 90s a while back and there was a ton of passing…Im guessing due to the not refined yet chassis of the car.
Being a long time CART fan, I havent been able to watch a cart race in years because of all the goofy arcade game rules they have put in with the push to pass and the manditoy pit windows and the obligatory use of certain tires during the race. Its not racing anymore, its more of an exercise of rules at 180mph.
I will check out the IRL road courses next season to see if it lives up to the old cart days. CART has been hollow lately with a bunch of unknowns racing and only 1 or two big names left…team and driver.
“Long Beach, Road America, and untill recently Portland, have been waivering in their Champ Car commitments”
When has it been said/published that Long Beach is wavering in the commitment to Champ Cars? Road America is not only wavering in their commitment to Champ Cars, but they are to almost everyone. They haven’t said they want the IRL at anytime. Portland wanted a bidding war and OWRS said no and PIR got stuck by a promoter dangling a carrot in front of them. That promoter couldn’t deliver.
“Portland has resigned with Champ Car, but it’s only a three year commitment. And I’m sure there are out clauses.”
Do you expect an open ended contract (in terms of years)? Atheletes generally only sign for a number of years, as do many businesses. And how many contracts DON’T have out clauses?
I believe that Tony George is smiling due to the fact that he can’t remeber his original reasons for starting the IRL and that he is now faced with the idea that the engine manufacturers are running his show.
1996 was an oval only series that should have highlighted American drivers. (side bar: should have read World of Outlaw Series). CART folded but would not die. He created an image that he would “play ball” if the CART series allowed certain consetions. Then when CAART was weak he recanted and allowed the “other” series to wonder why their ground was so shakey. Even Rahal, who was in a position of power within CART allowed Tony’s tribulations to lead him. Then to top things off Rahal now believe Tony is the best thing since sliced bread.
Tony also was whining about wanting to only unify the two series (windtunnel, and thanks to Dave DeSpain for shooting holes in him like a shotgun through a barrel of fish). If he was worried about the series he would not have created a rival series to begin with. He would have whipped it out, next to Gannassi & Penske, gotten his answer then moved on.
Tony smiling? Because he cannot remember day to day what his intentions were and that He now has a formula that may keep him from pouring cash into the sewer. (gee, didn’t CART run road and oval courses over the years?)
His intentions are to control all open wheel racing (Indy Style cars) in the U.S. It has been pointed out in the past that CART’s demise was due to the team owners also in charge of the series. Having a non team owning person in charge of the series (Tony George)is not a bad idea. Which is why OWRS needs to get out of the competition side as soon as possible, and become true owner managers of the series. OWRS is responsible for fielding at least 6 of Champ Cars current field. Not good for the long term survival of the series.