How to increase ratings

**methanolHuffer** · 3rd February 2010, 18:10

I think if IRL really wanted to embrace viewership and prestige, they wouldn't alienate the common fan so well. What is the Indy 500 anymore? I know what it used to be: The Indianapolis 500 used to be a month long, international, multi-cultural mardi gras of anticipation and drama. I don't think it was always contrived, it just happened.

Having lead-up events on the road course and oval would be something. Karts, Vintage racers and an auction in early May (SPEED and HDtheater keep showing these beautiful cars - could easily have something like that at indy). Use this IMS facility for many things. as much as possible in May and throughout the year.

Have a celebrity triple crown races: Long Beach, Indy, and Australia or Brazil maybe. (logistically very difficult - but america loves that TMZ, entertainment tonight junk. people do follow celebrities' interests).

There are people that don't know how many wheels are on a Dallara - but they know who Ashley Judd is married to. The read the celebrity gossip mags.

**anthonyvop** · 3rd February 2010, 19:08

Originally Posted by Scotty G.

Without the Indy 500, there would be NO teams, NO sponsors and NO sport. Period.

Right! If you say so.

**the bro** · 3rd February 2010, 19:43

Part of the problem is having your your series on two separate networks, it is a bit fragmented. Ideally it would be great if you could promote the other races during the 500. You have a large group of open wheel racing fans tuning in, who disapear after the 500. If you could get some of those viewers to tune in to the other races, it would all be golden.

**Mark in Oshawa** · 3rd February 2010, 23:29

Originally Posted by Scotty G.

Wrong. The Indy 500 was NEVER a part of CART and the term "CART" was NEVER a part of the month of May, if you ever went to the track. CART used the Indy 500 to give its series relevence and importance and the Indy 500 used CART's participants to add teams and drivers to the race.

Without the Indy 500, there would be NO teams, NO sponsors and NO sport. Period.

It was a symbiotic relationship that Tony George thought he could replace. He was WRONG.....well...he replaced it, but he killed the sport fighting for the quality teams the public recognized....

CART always gave points for the race for their championship in spite of not running the event. As we saw when USAC ran the first few years of the IRL, we know now WHY CART was formed. USAC was in over their heads....