Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!

[manurespreader]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!

Despite Conway running away with it, I really enjoyed the first race in Detroit. Lots of passing behind the first couple of places. I thought it was overall a clean interesting race. It's nice to see a driver like Conway get a win. I always thought it took some guts to quit racing ovals like he did.

The second one was horrible. It was like watching kids at the local go-cart track. One of the commentators hit it right, you can't win the race on a lap 20 restart but you sure can lose it. Or something to that effect. I have to wonder if now that Pagenaud has his first win if more will come quickly.

I really, really like the doubleheader format! I think more of them are necessary. I hope the crowds, teams, and Indycar do too.

I think the problem with the double file restarts is: 1) boneheaded driving and 2) the place where the drivers are allowed to accelerate is too far from the start-finish line. I like the double file restarts. Maybe if the teams have to keep reparing the car due to stupid moves on the restarts they will give a talking to the drivers and they will learn. Doubt it but maybe.

During my racing career the starts were the worst because some idiot in the back decides he has to try a pass that he shouldn't try. You watch your mirrors real close. Still I like the side by side starts, I was actually pretty good at it. I liked Detroit, but I'd like to see the surface be smoother.I think the course itself is pretty good.

 

[Senna]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!

On another subject a rider was killed this week in practice for the t t
Sorry to hear it

Yeah - definitely sad. I've been following for a bit more than a year now. Absolutely the most insane, extreme, event - ever. Some other rider said something to the effect "If a competitor in a shooting competition misses by an inch, he loses a point. If I miss by an inch, I'm dead.". These participants are so far over the top from being normal its extraordinary. BTW - the TT is being shown each night this week on the Velocity channel from 10-11PM EST.

Also - I'm heading to Montreal on Thursday for the F1 race...anyone else on the forum attending ?

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!

beating a dead horse...

I believe now that Indycar racing as we knew it in the 80's and 90's is ancient history. The fans that left due to the split are never coming back and that's depressing considering how great the racing has been the past 2 seasons. This is Tony George's sole accomplishment in life. I hope he's ****ing happy

http://www.indystar.com/article/201...33/Indianapolis-500-TV-ratings-hit-record-low

now that the Indy 500 is just another race, I fear the series will dip even further...then disappear.

 

[manurespreader]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!

beating a dead horse...

I believe now that Indycar racing as we knew it in the 80's and 90's is ancient history. The fans that left due to the split are never coming back and that's depressing considering how great the racing has been the past 2 seasons. This is Tony George's sole accomplishment in life. I hope he's ****ing happy

http://www.indystar.com/article/201...33/Indianapolis-500-TV-ratings-hit-record-low

now that the Indy 500 is just another race, I fear the series will dip even further...then disappear.

You know CART really messed it up those years ago. Could have been great.I don't just blame tony george. Now I fear that the whole series is like you are saying, pretty much all over.

Next year maybe I'll be here instead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXR8Df_Bml0

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!

beating a dead horse...

I believe now that Indycar racing as we knew it in the 80's and 90's is ancient history. The fans that left due to the split are never coming back and that's depressing considering how great the racing has been the past 2 seasons. This is Tony George's sole accomplishment in life. I hope he's ****ing happy

http://www.indystar.com/article/201...33/Indianapolis-500-TV-ratings-hit-record-low

now that the Indy 500 is just another race, I fear the series will dip even further...then disappear.

I know tv ratings are important, but the races themselves have been well attended this year, and well attended races are the first step in rebuilding the grass roots support of the sport. Hang in there Solo, it's gonna get better.

Double-headers....Both were equally watched, something like a .7 share each. The .7 is not good, but that means they probably had a net share of over 1.0 when you take into account people who only watched 1 day. I personally can't set aside 2 chunks of afternoons on consecutive weekend days to watch racing, the fish are calling me. I didn't even bother dvr'ing, my dvr is loaded with neat stuff to watch that is only 44 minutes or shorter on it. Maybe they need to be like F1 and get the race over in 1 1/2 hrs almost guaranteed.

 

[MattS]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!

The FIA has determined that the Pirelli / Ferrari test is within the rules. The Mercedes test possibly is not, and gets referred to the FIA International Tribunal. I am thinking this is not going to go well for Mercedes and Pirelli.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!

The FIA has determined that the Pirelli / Ferrari test is within the rules. The Mercedes test possibly is not, and gets referred to the FIA International Tribunal. I am thinking this is not going to go well for Mercedes and Pirelli.

If it means we get some new tires next year, i'm ok with that.

although, I wish Pirelli stuck with their original guns and got rid of the donuts and forced the cars to use real suspension instead of the tires. Still, I'm ok with letting them go.

 

[Russell Jaslow]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!

If it means we get some new tires next year, i'm ok with that.

although, I wish Pirelli stuck with their original guns and got rid of the donuts and forced the cars to use real suspension instead of the tires. Still, I'm ok with letting them go.

Good luck with that. As of now, no one is interested in supplying tires next year...

And to this constant bi(t)ching at Pirelli, I will say this again, and shout it this time -- PIRELLI IS DOING EXACTLY WHAT THE FIA ASKED THEM TO DO. BLAME THE FIA. NOT PIRELLI.

 

[Russell Jaslow]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!

The FIA has determined that the Pirelli / Ferrari test is within the rules. The Mercedes test possibly is not, and gets referred to the FIA International Tribunal. I am thinking this is not going to go well for Mercedes and Pirelli.

I doubt it.

Pirelli may be the only ones capable of supplying tires next year. What will the FIA do without them?

Mercedes has already at times in the past talked about dumping F1. What will the FIA do without a major team, with three other teams not having any engines, and with their biggest British TV ratings draw (and thus major sponsorship producing country) without a major ride?

Nothing (of significance) is going to happen to Pirelli or Mercedes. Mark my words.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!

Good luck with that. As of now, no one is interested in supplying tires next year...

And to this constant bi(t)ching at Pirelli, I will say this again, and shout it this time -- PIRELLI IS DOING EXACTLY WHAT THE FIA ASKED THEM TO DO. BLAME THE FIA. NOT PIRELLI.

Grip and wear, yes.

But not the debris. I'm ok with how the tires are working. I'm NOT ok with the fact that as the race goes on, how the tires are degrading leaves a single path around tracks. That sucks. And, as far as I can see it, that is Pirelli.

Dust would be better than the marbles we get now.

 

[MattS]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!

I doubt it.

Pirelli may be the only ones capable of supplying tires next year. What will the FIA do without them?

Mercedes has already at times in the past talked about dumping F1. What will the FIA do without a major team, with three other teams not having any engines, and with their biggest British TV ratings draw (and thus major sponsorship producing country) without a major ride?

Nothing (of significance) is going to happen to Pirelli or Mercedes. Mark my words.

There is a huge difference between fining Pirelli and fining or taking away manufacturers points from Mercedes and those companies leaving the sport. Talk about an over reaction.

The FIA will most likely do something of significance if they determine Pirelli and/or Mercedes broke the rules. You're concerned about losing Mercedes and/or Pirelli, what would happen to F1 if say, Ferrari and Lotus (both of whom have in recent times talked about elaving F1) leave in protest because their competators got an unfair advantage?

My guess is that Pirelli will get fined and Mercedes will get fined and/or docked manufacturers points.

 

[Russell Jaslow]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!

Grip and wear, yes.

But not the debris. I'm ok with how the tires are working. I'm NOT ok with the fact that as the race goes on, how the tires are degrading leaves a single path around tracks. That sucks. And, as far as I can see it, that is Pirelli.

Dust would be better than the marbles we get now.

Wear means marbles. More wear means more marbles. There is no other way around it.

Call it unintended consequences. When the FIA demanded more degradation, they didn't realize how much more marbling it would cause.

Besides, I thought most people are complaining about too many pitstops. Not the marbling. Quite frankly, I've seen just as much passing throughout the field at the end of the race as I've been seeing at the beginning of the race (just look at Kimi gaining four positions in the last two laps at Monaco; he certainly found the ability to pass offline where all the marbles are, on a street course no less). Doesn't seem like the marbles are having much of an effect.

 

[MattS]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!

Looking forward to seeing how Rossi does today in FP1. I don't have high expectations but I would like to see if he's competative against their class of competition and how the rain affects him and the car.

 

[Russell Jaslow]

Looking forward to seeing how Rossi does today in FP1. I don't have high expectations but I would like to see if he's competative against their class of competition and how the rain affects him and the car.

Well, the rain messed up any ability to compare him to other drivers and his teammate. But, at least he didn't go off...

 

[manurespreader]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!

I have a number of questions on this video. Does anyone know why most drivers are running Super Fords now rather than a Formula C or a super vee? I would think a good c would out run a flat bottomed car.

Second, this guy's car is pretty darn fast, and man he had a huge lead after three or four laps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZJfzcEvUbA

 

[Russell Jaslow]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!

I have a number of questions on this video. Does anyone know why most drivers are running Super Fords now rather than a Formula C or a super vee? I would think a good c would out run a flat bottomed car.

Simple -- costs.

 

[MattS]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!

Hm, it's been quiet here.

I thought the Canada race was entertaining besides Vettel in P1. Behind him I thought the action was good. It was sad to hear about the marshall losing his life.

I didn't watch the Indycar race. Partly because I wasn't home and partly because I cannot stand the 1.5 mile tracks. It sounds like it was a snoozer.



Best news I have read for Ferrari in a while...Vettel signed a year contract extension. He's now locked up with RB through 2015. I wish it was through 2025 but I will take what I can get.

And also information has come out that the NYC GP promoter supposedly has a 15 year deal. I am not sure I believe it but if the race layout turns out to be good, I will be happy having a race rairly close to my home.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!

Indy @ Texas...It was not just another 1 1/2 mile pack race, which are boring. It reminded me of Indy racing from the 80's or even a current F1 race where the cars were more spread out and set-up/tyre management was a premium, which Helio hit a home run on. Apparently a lot of people are complaining about the race, drivers and fans, but when it ended I felt like it was an acceptable race. You just aren't going to have 115 lead changes in every race. Conway dominated Detroit race #1 and no was *****ing about the lack of passing for the lead. I think RHR said he was racing the car itself more than the competition, isn't that what the core of racing is all about?

F1 @ Canada...had some good action behind Vettel.

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!

Just heard ominous news re: Milwaukee, ticket sales are in the dumpster. you can buy them right now on the flag-stand practically (section 404) just 2 days before the race.

I'm sick and sad over this.

I don't know about Chicago PR but in Milwaukee Andretti has kicked *** (save for not having promos at the State Fair last year). He's got cream puffs, advertising on WISN and posters, I don't know.

Are American winners THAT important to people here? Is that what it is? Is it Nascar? Is it the split whereby the fans that left aren't ever coming back?

I'll be there Saturday w/my parents. I'll savor every lap like it's the last one here.

 

[Russell Jaslow]

Is it the split whereby the fans that left aren't ever coming back?

This. I really believe people, especially those who still follow Indycar, don't realize how damaging that split was. They keep coming up with all sorts of excuses, but the fact is, the sport was very popular before the split, and it is not now.

Go back and look at TV ratings in the early 90s. Out of the top ten ratings, even excluding Indy and Daytona, almost half of them were CART races (Racer magazine used to print them all the time, so that is my source). CART was such a viable option for Europeans, they even got the defending world campion (Mansell), to come over when F1 didn't give him the money he wanted. Heck, CART had Bernie running scared, threatening everyone who corporated with bringing a CART race to Europe.

I was one of the biggest CART fans there was. It got to the point where I was going to 3-4 events a year for the entire weekends, not just race day. I lived and breathed the sport.

Now? I don't give a cr*p about Indycar. If someone like me isn't coming back, the more everyday fan is certainly not.