IRL and Champ Car rumored to merge back together?

[mgoblue]

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../60221006/1001

I don't know how accurate autoweek ever is, but would be great for open wheeled racing in the US, the split is killing both IMO

[Rodster]

Re: IRL and Champ Car rumored to merge back together?

I asked PK about this as I saw autoracing1.com report this and PK sad forget it cause it's BS. And i'll take his word over any website cause he works for the IRL.

Too bad cause I think it would be an awesome way to get American OWR back on the map. It would be good for all IMO.

[pk500]

Re: IRL and Champ Car rumored to merge back together?

I asked PK about this as I saw autoracing1.com report this and PK sad forget it cause it's BS. And i'll take his word over any website cause he works for the IRL.

Too bad cause I think it would be an awesome way to get American OWR back on the map. It would be good for all IMO.

Well, I didn't know that AutoWeek reported it, too. It's a much more reputable media outlet than autoracing1.com, which is essentially a CART fan site that publishes rumors, most of them anti-IRL and anti-Tony George.

Something could be in the works. I wouldn't rule it out, but I've heard nothing about it. I don't work for the IRL anymore, just the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, so I'm more out of the political loop than ever. All I'm focused on now is getting the Media Guide done for the 2006 Indianapolis 500. Those deadlines are staring at me like the barrels of Dick Cheney's hunting rifle!

The following paragraph is my personal opinion ONLY: Any merger would be good for open-wheel racing, especially if the series still has the Indianapolis 500 as its marquee event. One series is better for the public, media and sponsors to understand than two. If open-wheel is cleaned up, sports cars should be next. Two series aren't helping that great form of racing.

Take care,
PK

[GB33]

Re: IRL and Champ Car rumored to merge back together?

I know I am all for it. I don't want to get too carried away, but i wonder what the engine competition would be like. It stinks that right now both have just one, Honda and Ford. I really like the competition among manufacturers. And watching Honda clean house.
Hey PK, they doing any hiring out there at the speedway? Oh and nice jab at my boy Cheney.

[Rodster]

Re: IRL and Champ Car rumored to merge back together?

Man this would be awesome awesome news if it turns out to be true!

[jcollins28]

Re: IRL and Champ Car rumored to merge back together?

I'm a CHAMP CAR fan and Autoracing1 is a JOKE!!!. The weekly world news has more credibility then that site. As for a merger FORGETABOUTIT!!! No way no how. I do not work for the IRL or CHAMP CAR but I know people who do and I usually hear quite a bit of scuttlebut and I have not heard anything about this. Something this big would be the talk of the town. However CART/CHAMP CAR has always tried to extend an olive branch to Tony Goerge and it has always been refused. CHAMP CAR's direction from here on out is to develop their brand of racing. If any merger stories do come out it will be from the IRL side and not CHAMP CAR. Penske has tried to merge, Mario has tried and CHAMP CAR has tried. It will never ever happen because Tony Goerge will not let it. IMHO and this is just my opinon the IRL will be nothing more then a nightmare in the minds of openwheel race fans within the next two years. Even after that happens though I do not think you will see CHAMP CAR at the Brickyard. The future of the Indy 500 is the new Silver Crown car.

This post is hard to make given the respect that I have gained for a poster here. This is not meant in any way to attack his place of employment. It is just my opinion as a race fan.

[jcollins28]

Re: IRL and Champ Car rumored to merge back together?

After reading that article it is a bit different from the ones I have seen. Some points of interest;

If the article is to be believed, the only thing the IRL brings to the table is the I500 and Honda.

Would use champcar chasis
Would use champcar engines
Would use mostly champcar events

I think Tony has been told by the teams who compete in his series that he either merges or they leave in 2007 (It is strongly rumored that Rahal has plans to order the new CC chassis for 07), so he has no choice. But why would the CHAMP CAR go with this? What do they gain? I just don't see it happening. This is also from the same publication that said the Saftey Team was vanishing, the same day they were meeting at Champ Car headquarters to prepare for 2006? Again I would not put too much stock into it!

If it were Robin Miller I'd put some stock in it. Robin had considerable amount of time co hosting Wind Tunnel on Sunday, took some good shots at both series, and had every opportunity to bring this up. But he didn't, so I have even less belief in this story than the usual reunification stories.

[pk500]

Re: IRL and Champ Car rumored to merge back together?

This post is hard to make given the respect that I have gained for a poster here. This is not meant in any way to attack his place of employment. It is just my opinion as a race fan.

I disagree with your opinion about the future of open-wheel racing in America, namely that one of the entities will fade away, but I sincerely understand, respect and appreciate your sentiments in the above paragraph, man.

Take care,
PK

[pk500]

Re: IRL and Champ Car rumored to merge back together?

True, JC. If reunification was happening, Robin would report on it. Robin has more good sources than anyone, and he always takes care of me with Long's glazed donuts during May at the Speedway!

Take care,
PK

[forensicd]

Re: IRL and Champ Car rumored to merge back together?

The future of the Indy 500 is the new Silver Crown car.

The new silver crown cars are ugly as can be, and are moving too far away from sprinters for my liking. Jason McCord has been testing them, and his shop is next to ours, and they brough the car by after a hoosier tire test. Im not a big fan of silver crown to begin with, as they are too large and heavy for my liking, but the new ones are expensive, and no one is buying them. USAC is not like other forms of racing, all of us owners have 5 day a week jobs, and USAC is now asking us (not me though) to go about buying these new fandagled cars after Beast chasis have revolutionized sprint, midget, and silver crown cars. I think so far only 12 have been bought, and while i like the idea of running on bigger tracks, i dont think forcing new cars is the way to go.

[pk500]

Re: IRL and Champ Car rumored to merge back together?

The new silver crown cars are ugly as can be, and are moving too far away from sprinters for my liking.

Bathtubs with wheels and roll cages, brother. Fugly.

Take care,
PK

[Al Boyd]

Re: IRL and Champ Car rumored to merge back together?

As someone who works in the industry and been in racing my entire life, I'll believe it when I see it come out of there mouths. That being said, it appears this is the most sincere discussions yet.

Hey PK, what you do over at the Speedway? If your in Media/Marketing we've likely met during the 500 or the GP.

Cheers,

Al.

[Rodster]

Re: IRL and Champ Car rumored to merge back together?

Well Speed is now acknowledging that talks have been going on for a while.

[pk500]

Re: IRL and Champ Car rumored to merge back together?

Well Speed is now acknowledging that talks have been going on for a while.

Robin simply regurgitated the AutoWeek report, with comments from Fred Nation that any concrete news of a reunification is very premature.

I think it's pretty obvious that Tony George and Kevin Kalkhoven are talking. But there's also no deal yet.

Take care,
PK

[pk500]

Re: IRL and Champ Car rumored to merge back together?

As someone who works in the industry and been in racing my entire life, I'll believe it when I see it come out of there mouths. That being said, it appears this is the most sincere discussions yet.

Hey PK, what you do over at the Speedway? If your in Media/Marketing we've likely met during the 500 or the GP.

Cheers,

Al.

Al:

I'm the Communications Manager for the Speedway. I'm on the fourth floor of the Media Center for all events, working at the desk along the glass in front of the Media Office.

Stop by and say hey in May and July! Looking forward to meeting you. Are you a reporter? PR person?

Take care,
PK