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We shall see, who is closer to the truth.
Steve Johnson will be providing us all with details of the Champ Car 2008 schedule within the next two weeks. I can't wait to see it.
Personally, I happen to think that the schedule will not appear until after Mexico City in November, or even later.
What a complete and utter shambles Champ Car is right now.
And this will tell us what about where CCWS will be racing in 2008?Quote:
Originally Posted by FlatChatRacer
I do get the impression that Champ Car and the OWRS owners are grasping at anything that will make them look like the have some sort of a future now that things look as chaotic as a flatulent evening with Britney Spears. Some of this takes the form of announcements we are now seeing aimed at the pressing need to replenish the endless string of short term, one-off and two-off event or driver-centered sponsorships. It seems that the Amigos need to try to maintain appearances to help convince whomever is actually paying for the proposed new European rounds that there will be a viable series in 2008. One would expect those individuals will do their homework and look into what is behind all the scrubbed events, sponsor departures and other bad news. That can't be good for Champ Car, but the language barrier may help them this time -- especially if the prospective promoters can't read English.
I agree with FlatChatRacer... the calendar won't be clear until much later in the year. When this is finally released, it will leave many wondering: "what the hell is this?". There will sputtering protestations of unfair treatment and seductive promises of this and that from the OWRS owners and ChampCar management just like in years past but now, not many people are left who will believe them. Unless they sign Michael Schumacher or a top Indy Car team jumps ship to Champ Car, not much can save our sport now that it has been taken hostage by blind ego and delusion.
Ask not for whom the gong tolls... It tolls for thee, mi Amigos.
Hello jjjanos,
The schedule with it's content and structure will tell us a lot about the direction of the series. You see, it could be quite short with only 10/11 solid races, with at least 9 in the USA/Canada, which will be a good thing in my opinion. This will show that CCWS is trying to consolidate and live within it's means and importantly reduce costs for the teams.
Conversely, if the schedule shows 14/15 races with half of them outside the USA/Canada and most of those with "To Be Confirmed", then it will be a bad sign. It will show that CCWS is still suffering delusions of grandeur and not concentrating on it's core market and roots.
At the moment the series needs to establish a firm foundation and repay the faith of it's teams with reduce costs. Whether Champ Car has 10 races or 15 races will not affect it's popularity one jot. In fact, more fly-away races with huge gaps will create a disconnect with anyone trying to follow the series.
I work in Investment Banking and therefore appreciate, value and understand the art of making money. I am also an accountant by training. Therefore, if I am in the shoes of the CCWS leaders, I reduce costs as much as possible. Fewer races, means less to pay for TV time buys and advertising/promotion.
If I was doing the schedule to create fiscal stability here is what it would look like....
1. Long Beach (USA)
2. Cleveland (USA)
3. Road America (USA)
4. Portland (USA)
5. Houston (USA)
6. Laguna Seca (USA)
7. Edmonton (Canada)
8. Toronto (Canada)
9. Mont TrentBlant (Canada)
10. Assen (Holland) - Justified by sanction fee
11. Surfers Paradise (Australia) - Justified by sanction fee
There is nothing wrong with this and when CCWS goes overseas, they are going to a destination that will pay lots of money. The core remains in it's heartland USA/Canada.
That is what I meant by saying, I can't wait to see it.
I hope that makes my thought a little clearer.
I agree that there is no nessecity to have say 15 races in the schedule. Even 10-12 will be allright. The schedule you have proposed is good, i would add a Zolder race next to Assen :) .
Why do they need any CC events? Why would the owners let another series have their best events? The other series is just going to have to make it on their own.Waiting for another series's demise is a fatal business plan.Quote:
Originally Posted by djparky
This is why CC survives.
The truth is (maybe a sad truth) that it is better to have a united series with 18-20 events (and good drivers, mighty and good cars and so on and so on) and ....... Indy500 of course must be an event in the schedule ....., which means that the unification goes through ...... discontinuance of CCWS. There is of course a tiny possibility that IRL goes bad and TG eventually would like to join the CCWS, but i can't really see this possibility to be real.
I can, with the money he's spending on subsidies and Honda could be gone to nascar.Quote:
Originally Posted by fan-veteran
CC isn't dependent on those things.
IMO
Well ...., i can't see why Honda should leave IRL - they are the only supplier of engines there, and hence definitely have a very good advertising opportunities, and from the other hand - the cost of engine(s) is low (actually i can't see any development costs to that engine, it is simply manufactured). Honda to NACSAR - possible, but why should this be accompanied with withdrawal from IRL ? - the cost of NASCAR program again should not be very big.
You are maybe right that TG maybe has busy work to subsidy his own series. Maybe yes, maybe not.
Um, this is the part where you would go "link please"...Quote:
Originally Posted by sanguin