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Or add fuel economy to the equation. If an all electric can run 500 miles at 200mph without a battery change, then that would go along way towards convincing a skeptical public that it would be good for a 50 mile round trip commute too.Quote:
Originally Posted by nigelred5
Why is NASCAR changing it's template rules for 2013? They also went too far by trying to be a spec series. NASCAR fans, and more importantly the manufacturers, don't want a spec series either.Quote:
Originally Posted by 00steven
And yet these kids modify their electronic tech gadgets by jail breaking their iPhones and cracking their X-Boxes. So obviously they want innovation and openness and are opposed to closed spec environments. Add to that their focus on 'saving the planet' and going green at Indy with the latest in technology is really the only way to grab then as fans.Quote:
Originally Posted by Starter
Indycar can remain a spec series if it chooses. But the Indy 500 should be opened to alternative technology through an equivalency formula.Quote:
Originally Posted by zako85
That would be like trying to herd cats. :biglaugh:Quote:
Originally Posted by Rex Monaco
Actually it's just the opposite. It'd be like letting the herded cats go free so they could roam as nature intended.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nem14
Certainly, history shows us equivalency formulas don't work. Still, that does not mean you cannot find ways of encouraging others to participate.
I still think the route is production engines. Production engines could be encouraged to compete along side race engines. Obviously some sort of rules would have to be ironed out, but manufacturers would be encouraged by the chance to sell a car that carried the winning Indy 500 engine.
Personally, I prefer a "run what ya brung" formula, with the only regulations being standards for safety. I believe there is more potential to bring back the casual fan or even the non fan. Production engines alone, not so much. Wasn't the original IRL essentially based on production engines? Look at how well that flew.Quote:
Originally Posted by bricarr2
The kicker in that is getting there from here. Only two teams have the resources to throw away cars and spares and the two who could would definitely not look on the idea kindly. The only two engine suppliers have invested large amounts of money in the new motor. Any idea how well they will take to the idea? I'd be willing to bet that they would say "bye bye" should their investment be negated. It's always possible that one or two major companies might look at Indy only as a promotional tool. The rest of the grid (if any) would be made up of also rans and nobodys. The effect of that on the popularity of Indy, and therefor the series, would be a final death blow. Even the (potential) one or two major players would quickly lose interest as Indy fell further off the radar screen.
Solve those issues with something other than wishful thinking and we'll talk some more.
Smokey:
A few things:
1. Any change would of course, have to be done in conjunction with the two existing manufacturers.
2. While I would love a "run what you brung," formula that is simply not realistic nowadays.
3. My suggestion of production engines is in addition to what we already have, not a series of exclusively production engines. The worst thing for IndyCar right now is reinvesting in new equipment.
4. All of this presumes the HG family and IMS have any sort of clue with regard to building IndyCar. The last few decades would indicate that is not the case.
What IndyCar needs is nurturing a set of high caliber _EVENTS_. Many sports have such events, like the Olympic games, Superbowl, 24 hours of LeMans, Indy 500, etc. I think even Formula 1 bras understand the importance of each GP meeting the highest standards ever. You no longer see the likes the historic Dallas, Las Vegas, or Phoenix GP on F1 calendar. No amount of fancy shmancy cars and Senna vs Prost type rivalries could make such events succeed. To state this more bluntly, there is no free lunch. You can't suddenly declare a race on a run out of the mill race track, with no good layout, no good facilities, no good location, and no good history, and then expect many people to take a great interest in this.
IndyCar should identify maybe 6-7 events a year which should be held to a very high standard of organization, promotion, great spectacle on and off track, and once things get going eventually hold all events to this standard. Perhaps they could get started with Indy500, Sonoma, Monterey, Texas, Long Beach, Detroit, and may be one more. There should also be a good consistency in when and where events are held. Someone complained about the awesome Fontana race not attracting too many spectators but I think this is a good example of what I am talking about. You can't build a big fan base for an event that comes and goes year after year on an ad hoc basis. For a struggling motor sport, IndyCar is having way too many ad-hoc changes in its calendar.