Rise of the Phoenix?

GreenPrixUSA

Well, the rumors have been flying.
The good news is, some of what you may have been hearing is true.

GreenPrix USA is a new race series debuting in 2009 that will be utilizing the Reynard and Panoz Champ Cars. GreenPrix USA's founder is media mogul Ben Johnston. Ben has also acquired ownership of the Cooper Tires Atlantic Championship, powered by Mazda, where he has also been a competitor in past years. The Atlantic Series will be sanctioned under IMSA in 2009. GreenPrix USA's ultimate goal is to bring back premiere open wheel racing at all levels that reflects the purest racing values that the fans and drivers love. Also, to provide a platform for all green initiatives involved in automotive performance. The first race of the 2009 season for the GreenPrix USA Cars and the Atlantic Series will be March 13-15 in Savannah, Georgia on St. Patrick's Day weekend.

GreenPrix USA will be environmentally focused through the development of racing criteria coupled with green technology that will include: use of ecologically designed/friendly fuel sources, cut-back/regulation of GHG emissions and overall reduction of energy and petroleum displacement. GreenPrix USA will also provide corporate partners the opportunity to feature, showcase and develop their Green initiatives in the racing market and utilize the knowledge to impact the consumer market.
If you are interested in being notified of new developments with respect to the GreenPrix Series, please send us an email request to do so. You will get only very relevant emails, and only when there is something of substance to tell you. You will be free to unsubscribe at any time, and we guarantee that your email address will be held in strictest confidence.
[email:3b00agpx]Info@GreenPrixUSA.com[/email:3b00agpx]

Ah, yes. Just what we need. Another open wheel series competing for sponsors, fans and venues. Didn't we do this once before? It's Deja Vu all over again. This time though it has a nice shiny new coat of "green" paint. What a joke. There is nothing "green" about this series at its start, only the HOPE of it becoming somehow more "green".

Anyone seen any Vegas odds on the longevity of this series? I give it less than one year from today. My usual bet of a six pack of GOOD beer goes to the first taker willing to risk the same. I will be really surprised if they do one race. Remember the best way to make a small fortune in racing is to start with a large one. Let's hope Mr. Johnston knows that. The likelihood of him garnering any REAL sponsors is somewhere between slim and none. Hello, Ben, it's the economy stupid. This is not the right time to be floating this sort of initiative. Not that there ever would be a "right time".

IMNSHO,

Gary

Well, they are recycling cars :p

Anyway - sounds like high-end club racing to me - the only relevant thing to this board is that they are using old champ cars.

Doubts to the success of the concept aside, not sure this is any kind of anything to the IRL or AOWR in general - kind of like grand prix masters etc.

This is a no go from day one. People do not spend their entertainment dollars based on PC causes. They spend their money based on how much ENTERTAINMENT they get for each dollar they spend. Period, end of discussion. They may get a green investor or two but this is going nowhere.

Of course, it will give the CCF a series to cheer for. Perhaps they should just name it "NOT TONY GEORGE"S SERIES" & get it over with. : ).

I agree with Chris, from the article at least I don't see GreenPrix as a top-tier series that would compete with IRL. They're saying in 2010 they'll be racing with older CC tubs. In fact, I'd say this is good news for open wheel fans, more decent quality road course racing to check out. In the odd chance that it actually takes off and they have a new spec for 2013-15, then I'd be annoyed to have 2 competing series. But that looks like a longshot at best.

I spoke to a person who attended the Atlantics banquet when this guy announced ownership. My source overheard that the series will own the cars and engines and people with cash can rent one for the season. Show up at the track with your firesuit and helmet and jump in. Oh, I forgot, the check has to clear the bank first. If true this is no threat to ICS and just a way to use old tubs. I give it a 35% chance of making it.

Sounds like another reincarnation of the American Indycar Series. Bet it won't last as long.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...6/ai_n24342096

Quote:

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Originally Posted by garyshell

Ah, yes. Just what we need. Another open wheel series competing for sponsors, fans and venues. Didn't we do this once before? It's Deja Vu all over again. This time though it has a nice shiny new coat of "green" paint. What a joke. There is nothing "green" about this series at its start, only the HOPE of it becoming somehow more "green".

Anyone seen any Vegas odds on the longevity of this series? I give it less than one year from today. My usual bet of a six pack of GOOD beer goes to the first taker willing to risk the same. I will be really surprised if they do one race. Remember the best way to make a small fortune in racing is to start with a large one. Let's hope Mr. Johnston knows that. The likelihood of him garnering any REAL sponsors is somewhere between slim and none. Hello, Ben, it's the economy stupid. This is not the right time to be floating this sort of initiative. Not that there ever would be a "right time".

IMNSHO,

Gary

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So what are the official terms of the bet?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chamoo

So what are the official terms of the bet?

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Official terms

1. Number of bets: Only available to one other forum member, first come first served.
2. Amount of wager: One 6 pack of premium beer of the winners choosing, with a $10 cap on price.
3. Delivery of winners "prize": Payable by a check, to avoid sending beer through the mail. Too messy!
4. Text of bet: The Greenprix series will not exist as a viable series (actually holding sanctioned races) one year from today. Oct. 20, 2008.


Gary

Yep ,, you guys are right. Never gonna work.. Nothing to see here... just keep moving along. Guy doesn't know what he is doing... old cars ,, rent-a rides.. nothing good happnin there...