Sorry, but I have 5-bucks that says Champ Car does not answer the bell in 2008...

Paul Newman, co-founder of Newman/Haas Racing and co-owner of Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing…
“We have always been an engineering driven team. We think we have something special to add to the benefit of both. This in no way lessens our commitment to open wheel racing - - - we want to broaden our horizons.”


Is there any reason why Paul Newman did not specifically mention Champcar at the Yates announcement in July. While the Yates deal eventually fell through, I thought the ambiguity of this quote was in stark contrast to his steadfast support of Champcar in the past, and started tongues wagging in Indianapolis.

Just another of many questions.

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Originally Posted by indycool

Here's the problem with trying to be all things to all people all the time:

Global sponsors are decentralized into different geographic areas. Marlboro Europe might be interested in a European race or two, but it does Marlboro Europe no good to be exposed in Portland. This is what happened to Penske when CART started going outside the U.S. boundaries. Marlboro USA was sponsoring Penske. Surfers, Japan and Canada were "throwaways" that they were paying for anyway.

European sponsors for a few races to drop a Jan Heylen in a seat, then when the money runs out, find a Mario Dominguez with some bucks....sorry.....I just don 't think that's going to get it.

And what "business" does Gommendy hafta conduct that he can't make it to Surfers. "Something's happenin' here and what it is ain't exactly clear".....as the song goes.

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good points IC- the race by race driver merry go round continues once again...in some form or other CCWS will no doubt continue into 2008,

from a fan perspective I no longer bother to watch most of the races- 17 cars with a bunch of drivers that for the most part I care nothing about does very little for me- CCWS reminds me of the last days of F3000 and the old Group C World Sports Car series- both with wonderful histories but a very short future

I'm no fan of Tony George but the IRL now offers more or less what CART did at it's height- and for anyone deluded enough to think otherwise- the ONLY open wheel race that matters in the US is the Indy 500- the NASCAR crowd refer to Dario F, JV and JPM as former Indy 500 champions (or F1 champion in JV's case) but not CART/ IRL champions

I can't remember who posted it but there was a time when I always watched CART on a Sunday evening- never missed a race (unless Eurosport screwed up)- nowadays I only watch it occasionally and only then if it doesn't clash with NASCAR on NASN

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Originally Posted by garyshell

With the MidOhio numbers it does make me think. It makes me think you don't have a clue. MidOhio had a major repavement job done between 2003 and 2007. The numbers are meaningless.

And with Milwaukee, hmmm let's see with all the extra downforce and 100% throttle, no need to lift for the corners, you'd think the IRL times would be even bettter wouldn't you? I would.

Gary

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Gary - I accept that this is not a 100% accurate comparison. I was simply correcting someone else in here that said that the current IRL car is "a pig" on road courses. The repave would be worth 2 - 3 seconds, but no more. And I would like to add that they are a spec series running detuned Honda motors - they would give up at least 100hp to the champcars. so, they are far from Pigs.

Re Milwaukee, are you suggesting that the IRL cars stay at 100% flat on the gas for the whole lap. I would have thought that they lifted on the corners and downshift. Lets not forget, Ovals are what the car was designed for, so its pointless to criticise them for it.

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Originally Posted by garyshell

My hatred for "...king George" and his "vision" is well known here, but if you REALLY believe that quote above... well sorry but you are delusional.

Open wheel sponsorship on any REAL scale revolves around the I500. Period.

I hate the fact that I have to admit that. But I do, and have for a very long time. Just look at the sidepods on the two series and count the number of RECOGNIZABLE names. I am talking names known to your next door neighbor who doesn't follow racing. Which of the two series has the higher count and by what sort of margin? And why do you think that is? Because "...king George" is a brilliant business man, or these sponsors want to be a part of a race in Iowa? No it comes down to one event, remove that event and see how many of these same sponsors remain in the IRL for more than 30 seconds.

Gary

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I disagree,some of those sponsorships are discount honda associates. Motorola has been with MA for a long time and the manage the honda engine. Delphi went BK and is still losing money, they too are associated with Honda as is XM radio.I hear 7-11 is a barter with food service to the honda plants in Japan. 7-11 is huge there. NYSE is rumored to be leaving. Wasn't the subsidy program is put in place now to make up for these shortfalls in sponsorship as the honda money may be going away?

The point that series is not flush with sponsors or they would have more than 18 cars and they would be lined up to get into the 500. That is not the case. The ratings are also falling ,so that doesn't help. They have just as much trouble with sponsorship as CC does.IMO

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Originally Posted by mike15

Champ Car should and will take the opportunity to expand into the world market. Rather than take what is left after NASCAR America drains the racing dollar and battling the confusing split thing, Champ Car can solicit foreign money that does not care about NASCAR or the split. With foreign sponsors Champ Car can stabilize the North American market and give the foreign sponsors the opportunity to promote in North America.

The WORLD in Champ Car World Series is exactly what is needed to boost the bottom line for Champ Car.

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The goal of Champ Car is to have 50% of it's races in North America and 50% in the world. With NASCAR America dominating the USA, Champ Car needs to capture the world racing dollar that has been opened up by F1. The F1 venues are in constant flux going after the high dollar. They are dropping venues that can no longer afford F1 and Champ Car can come in and make those venues profitable. The World is a win win for Champ Car because as I said race fans in Europe don't care about the split or NASCAR. Plus, they support their home town teams and drivers.

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Mike...tell us a little bit about who these European sponsors are.

If they are interested in open wheel racing, why aren't they already supporting teams in already WELL ESTABLISHED open wheel series in their region?

F1 is not, by a long shot, the only open wheel series in Europe. In fact, I would dare say the competition for sponsorship dollars is far greater in Europe than it is in the US. And F1 is to European sponsorship dollars exactly the same as NASCAR is to US sponsorship dollars. Why would a company sponsor a series with virtually no television, no track record for sustained successful events, and no real fan base when they can sponsor an established, successful open wheel series in Europe?

If these same companies are interested in American exposure, then why, with names that are familiar to European companies, haven't they been sponsors in CCWS in previous years when the majority of their schedule WAS in North America?

I'm sorry. This justs looks to me like one more crazy idea that someone wrote down on a napkin while having a bratwurst sandwich and said to themselves "hey...we haven't tried THIS yet!"

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Originally Posted by sanguin

I hear 7-11 is a barter with food service to the honda plants in Japan. 7-11 is huge there.

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Link, please.

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Originally Posted by tbyars

Link, please.

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no link, just some inside info. ;)

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Originally Posted by sanguin

no link, just some inside info. ;)

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Now that IS funny. Hilarious actually, coming from Mr. "link please" "proof please". You really want us to believe that? The inside of what?

Oh.

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Originally Posted by beachbum

Now that IS funny. Hilarious actually, coming from Mr. "link please" "proof please". You really want us to believe that? The inside of what?

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I did say I heard it,you don't have to believe it.

I was told that rumors and "hearing things" are okay as Chaimwitz does.

How much do you think 7-11 is paying for sponsorship?