No loss of momentum...the Indy 500 PR juggernaut rolls on....

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Originally Posted by Miatanut

Yes, for about a five year period, there were F1 guys skipping Monaco to come to Indy to clean up with their superior rear-engine cars in fields full of Watson Roadsters (and knock-offs). Big purses can do that. F1 guys would also run CanAm events for the big purses. Once the roadsters were gone and with them the easy pickings, Indy became something ex-F1 guys did, but not guys in contention for the championship.

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Clean up? In 1965, 5 roadsters, 1966 one roadster and 1967 zero roadsters.

Yes, Clark won in 1965 and Hill in 1966. In 1970 only Jack Brabham and Peter Revson were in the 500.

The money was here, Innes Ireland at Daytona in 1967 and Jimmy Clark at Rockingham, NC in 1967 in NASCAR or is that news.

Glory outside the U.S. here glory and cash.

(NO REFERENCE, IMPLIED OR REAL TO ANY POSTER, LIVING, DEAD, or NOT YET BORN.)

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Originally Posted by garyshell

Then you don't understand the business model that drives open wheel racing in the US. Sponsors foot the bills, period. And Madison Ave. in New York controls that aspect. Those folks on Madison Ave. when asked about open wheel racing have a myopic view that centers on 16th and Georgetown. Without that race on your schedule Madison ave has damn near zero interest. With a fractured fan base they also had very little interest. Now that the split is behind us, (well at least for SOME of us) there is renewed interest from Madison Ave. There are already ideas being floated about the beer companies getting back in the game!

Gary

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I don't understand the business model that drives open wheel racing.I know even with Indy Tony George had to spend millions, of his own money, to keep the series going.Even thought Indy is the greatest thing in the world.

The split is behind us but not the fractured fan base.The fan base is all but gone and the 500 alone isn't going to bring it back.I would say a great racing series will bring it back but Americans care to much about "fluff" than driver talent (Danica Patrick).The only thing INdy has created in the last 12 years and she didn't even win.

I'm saying the 500 alone want bring back the series.New cars and new venues will bring the series back not the same old same old.12 years of the 500 didn't grow the IRL.

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Originally Posted by !!WALDO!!

Clean up? In 1965, 5 roadsters, 1966 one roadster and 1967 zero roadsters.

Yes, Clark won in 1965 and Hill in 1966. In 1970 only Jack Brabham and Peter Revson were in the 500.

The money was here, Innes Ireland at Daytona in 1967 and Jimmy Clark at Rockingham, NC in 1967 in NASCAR or is that news.

Glory outside the U.S. here glory and cash.

(NO REFERENCE, IMPLIED OR REAL TO ANY POSTER, LIVING, DEAD, or NOT YET BORN.)

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I was counting from '63 and, yes, the first couple tries started but didn't finish well.

Agreed. The purses were better in the US.

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Originally Posted by anthonyvop

It will be a small article after the Larger story of the Monaco Grand Prix.

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Monaco will get the same treatment here. They like F1. Great, that's their choice. We have different traditions. Just because Europe likes something doesn't mean we have to or vice versa.

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Originally Posted by Miatanut

I was counting from '63 and, yes, the first couple tries started but didn't finish well.

Agreed. The purses were better in the US.

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Yes in 1963 you had Clark and Gurney in Lotus 29 and Duane Carter Sr. in a Mickey Thompson Chevy (Dave MacDonald's car of 1964) and Al "Krulac" Miller in the 1962 Thompson Buick and the 9th fastest time of the month on day 4.

Clark, Gurney and Miller finished 500 miles in the top 10.
In 1964, Rodger Ward in the 1964 Watson/Ford was the only car in the top ten with an engine in the rear or top 12 for that matter. (Points paying)

In 1967, Monaco was so early that Lorenzo Bandini who was entered at Indy died in the race without coming over. Hill the 66 winner had difficultly qualifying and Stewart was bumped on the third only to have to qualify back in. Chris Amon and Pedro Rodriguez went home.

It wasn't as easy as you think it was. They struggled just like anyone to make the race. Making the race with their split was more than they could make in F-1.

(NO REFERENCE, IMPLIED OR REAL TO ANY POSTER, LIVING, DEAD, or NOT YET BORN.)

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Originally Posted by !!WALDO!!

Yes in 1963 you had Clark and Gurney in Lotus 29 and Duane Carter Sr. in a Mickey Thompson Chevy (Dave MacDonald's car of 1964) and Al "Krulac" Miller in the 1962 Thompson Buick and the 9th fastest time of the month on day 4.

Clark, Gurney and Miller finished 500 miles in the top 10.
In 1964, Rodger Ward in the 1964 Watson/Ford was the only car in the top ten with an engine in the rear or top 12 for that matter. (Points paying)

In 1967, Monaco was so early that Lorenzo Bandini who was entered at Indy died in the race without coming over. Hill the 66 winner had difficultly qualifying and Stewart was bumped on the third only to have to qualify back in. Chris Amon and Pedro Rodriguez went home.

It wasn't as easy as you think it was. They struggled just like anyone to make the race. Making the race with their split was more than they could make in F-1.

(NO REFERENCE, IMPLIED OR REAL TO ANY POSTER, LIVING, DEAD, or NOT YET BORN.)

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Ah Al Miller, the gent who it is said, had he not had an older small tank Lotus, would have easily won rather than finish fourth.
Without the time of his extra pit-stop, he would have cruised home in first.
Too bad.
Bob

1.1 rating for Bump day 0.9 for pole day.Numerours blank side pods.What momentum? Looks like the same old same old.The month of May is no longer a big deal.The race maybe but not the whole month.

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Originally Posted by CARTDM15

New cars and new venues will bring the series back not the same old same old.

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Worked REAL WELL for CCWS and the DP-01, didn't it?

Your problem is that YOU want to try the same old things that have driven two series into bankruptcy. I would submit to you that EVERYTHING TG did is far superior with far superior results. One thing is certain...CART and CCWS are gone because they failed. The 92nd running of the Indy 500 is scheduled for this Sunday, and I have absolutely no doubt there will be a 93rd next year, a 94th year after that, a 95th year after that.....

If you were going to invest significant money, in retrospect, what would have been the wisest investment - CART/CCWS or the IRL?

I think you are right. You DON'T understand the business model. You also don't seem to grasp the drawbacks of the business model that is a proven non-starter, twice over.

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Originally Posted by BenRoethig

Just because Europe likes something doesn't mean we have to or vice versa.

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You know what? I think he has something here. Lets all get on a few ships and go someplace to start a new country. We'll show them! Ha Ha

anyone suggesting for even a second that AOWR, May and/or the 500 hasn't taken a step backwards over the debacle that was the past decade plus is delusional


does that change my appreciation for the size of the cajones of 33+ racers who strap in on race weekend or the long hours and hard work of the teams that support them or the dollars the manufactures and sponsors put forward so I can enjoy my beloved speed sport....absolutly not!