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CART
Jun 13, 2002 16:57:31 GMT -5
Post by Topcontender on Jun 13, 2002 16:57:31 GMT -5
Every one in INDY that is around racing all say this is probably the final year for CART. The teams will be swallowed into the IRL and that will be the end of CART. Recently CART's headqarters moved to INDY.
On the lighter side GIL and Helio have both lobbied for a few Road races. MAybe Watkins glen, Laguna Seca, and Cali wil move to IRL.
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CART
Jun 13, 2002 18:00:00 GMT -5
Post by greg99 on Jun 13, 2002 18:00:00 GMT -5
Have you ever heard of the Trojan Horse strategy? CART could be eating IRL from the inside, get them at their own game. One game I will be sure to follow........
The IRL people are so full of themselves - well one in particular - that they won't know what hit them.
Wait and see.
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CART
Jun 14, 2002 1:44:43 GMT -5
Post by OT on Jun 14, 2002 1:44:43 GMT -5
greg i hope you're right - CART was the last bastion of real racing in the high profile area.
I just wish the useless bastards in Aus would telecast it...
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CART
Jun 14, 2002 4:41:42 GMT -5
Post by Henrik on Jun 14, 2002 4:41:42 GMT -5
Here are two interesting quotes that I just read with regards to CARTs future development:
That's the spirit Chris!! Show the IRL what real racing is all about. The fans will support you!
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CART
Jun 14, 2002 6:12:02 GMT -5
Post by Topcontender on Jun 14, 2002 6:12:02 GMT -5
CART is going bankrupt and the boss has to find a way to keep CART and IRL diffrent. However sponsors want ratings and the IRL gets major ratings from the INDY 500. also americans love boring ovals.
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CART
Jun 14, 2002 7:22:43 GMT -5
Post by greg99 on Jun 14, 2002 7:22:43 GMT -5
I say: MOVE CART OVER TO EUROPE!
Please Mr. Bernie? You wouldn't be afraid of a little competition now, would you? If your F1 is so great, you don't risk a thing...... So? What will it be?
Shaking in your boots already?
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CART
Jun 14, 2002 10:39:06 GMT -5
Post by Henrik on Jun 14, 2002 10:39:06 GMT -5
TC,
The IRL has the Indy 500. One race! The rest of their races has absolutely no attendance, and get extremely small viewer figures. I'm sure sponsors are willing to pay money for the Indy 500, but as for supporting the rest of that championship, I have my doubts for the future.
If you look at the spectator attendance of the CART races so far this year, they are very high, as are the TV viewer numbers. This is primarily due to the international coverage/races. I would think there are enough sponsors that are willing to bet on that. These are more international sponsors, not just US sponsors.
We shall see how it pans out, by CART is NOT dead and burried yet. At least they provide REAL races!!!
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CART
Jun 14, 2002 12:31:23 GMT -5
Post by greg99 on Jun 14, 2002 12:31:23 GMT -5
Henrik, to come back on the IRL pics you posted...... I am lost for words! Is this a joke or what? This can't be serious!! Was that the podium? Oh god, how can sponsors want to be involved in something so cheap........... with NO spectators!!! I can't believe this
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CART
Jun 17, 2002 6:42:16 GMT -5
Post by greg99 on Jun 17, 2002 6:42:16 GMT -5
Most of you have probably seen this already, but for those who haven't and are interested.....
Zanardi to receive the Greg Moore Achievement Award In Toronto on July 4th [17/06/02 - 05:07] (thanks Robyn..)
Alex Zanardi is poised to receive the Greg Moore Achievement Award to be presented at the Molson Indyfest Black and White Gala Dinner in Toronto on July the 4th. The Molson Indy Achievement Award, introduced in 1987 and renamed the Greg Moore Achievement Award in 2000, recognizes an individual, group, or organization that has made a major contribution to auto racing, particularly in regard to the CART/FedEx Championship Series.
“Alex has been a huge supporter of Molson IndyFest events in Toronto over the years,” said Charlie Johnstone, Executive Director, Molson Indy Festival Foundation. "He has contributed so much to the CART Series and is a fan favourite in Toronto, exhibiting a terrific spirit both on and off the track.”
In 1999 Zanardi returned to Formula One after notching up two CART titles, signing on as a driver for the Williams team alongside Ralf Schumacher. After a dismal season, he took a year's sabbatical from racing, spending time with his wife Daniela and son Niccolo. Then in 2001 the Italian racer returned to the CART circuit reuniting with Mo Nunn, the man who as technical director at Target/Chip Ganassi Racing engineer his Rookie of the Year season of 1996 and his back-to-back CART titles in 1997-98.
Zanardi raced Honda/Reynards for MoNunn Racing in 2001, driving the No. 66 Pioneer/WorldCom car alongside teammate Tony Kanaan. Then disaster struck. While closing in on what many believe might have been his first victory of the season, at the American Memorial 500 in Germany on Sept. 16, Zanardi was involved in a late-race accident that left him with devastating leg injuries. After six weeks in a German hospital and several months of physiotherapy, Zanardi has very much returned to a normal life with the use of prosthetic legs, and has been a true inspiration to everyone during his recovery, much as he always was as a fierce competitor on the racetrack and true gentleman on and off the track.
Past recipients of the Greg Moore Achievement Award include: Barry Green, Ric Moore, Bobby Rahal, Michael Andretti , Wally Dallenbach, Player's Ltd., Al Unser, Rick Mears, Dr. Steve Olvey and Dr. Terry Trammell, Roger Penske, Jim Chapman, Mario Andretti, John Frasco and Carl Haas.
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CART
Jun 17, 2002 7:11:12 GMT -5
Post by Henrik on Jun 17, 2002 7:11:12 GMT -5
A fitting tribute to a great person and a great racer!
Zaza, hope to see you in Toronto!!
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CART
Jun 17, 2002 7:57:08 GMT -5
Post by OT on Jun 17, 2002 7:57:08 GMT -5
Thanks greg ...beautiful
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CART
Jun 17, 2002 9:29:01 GMT -5
Post by ozcar on Jun 17, 2002 9:29:01 GMT -5
turbos for cart over the next two years from cosworth...?!?! ;D does this mean ford may also restructure their motor sporting priorities and scrap jaguar in f1...surely CART and IRL will do more for ford than the green soup kitchen? anyways - brack only just leads at portland after 30 laps from da Matta - good to see takagi sticking it in the wall and the comentators duly noting the king of spins' recent bout of mistakes. its late but its racing...and how is the points spread in the championship...if only F1 saw something like that...
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CART
Jun 17, 2002 9:51:53 GMT -5
Post by Henrik on Jun 17, 2002 9:51:53 GMT -5
Now that CART has made the official announcement for the Cosworth Turbo 2.65 engines for the next two years, they can finally get down to business. No more wasting time trying to work things out with somebody who simply has no interest in working things out! What will be interesting to see is how this will impact the IRL financially. The fact is that with the 3.5 lt. NA V8, basically the same as IRL, a plan had basically been worked out in which Toyota and Honda would build such engines and provide them for free to the IRL, and sell them to CART. Subsequently the CART teams would be paying for the IRL to flourish. Obviously the idea from the IRL side was that this would bring more competition, but still maintain a much lower cost for the teams. I am very curious to see how the IRL teams are now going to pay for their engines. Given the small budgets they presently have, that would be impossible. As such, they will have to try to find bigger sponsors than the “Sam’s Hamburger Joint” sponsors most teams are sporting today. Okay, I know Marlboro is there, but that is one team. As for the rest, I think they might find it very difficult to attract a sponsor for a full season given the extremely poor spectator attendance they are seeing. In this respect CART is much better off. They pull in respectable spectator numbers, and they are now seriously working on the cost issue. If anything, this is a major turning point. CART and IRL will never merge again. In a few years there will only be one series left that really has something to give. My guess is it will be CART. Then Tony George can concentrate on running the NASCAR races on his brickyard. P.S. Have any of you seen the recent CART TV add? You can see it on CART.com. Check it out if you want to see a well made, very professional, PR campaign. Sort of puts that IRL podium with the TORO lawnmower in the shade… www.cart.com
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CART
Jun 17, 2002 10:15:17 GMT -5
Post by ozcar on Jun 17, 2002 10:15:17 GMT -5
thanks Henrik! always a good insight into the other world of motor racing.. Brack was doing great at Portland but his left rear just fell off after exiting pitlane in a three way stop between the leaders...he got out first but watched in disbelief as his wheel wobbled off the axel and overtook him. ;D the commentator said he didnt want to appropriate blame wbut its tough to look anywhere else.. :Bounce: my money is on bruno.
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CART
Jun 24, 2002 2:54:15 GMT -5
Post by Henrik on Jun 24, 2002 2:54:15 GMT -5
Time for a little update!
I spoke a few days ago about the development of the engine deals in IRL. Well, the latest news is that Nissan will be withdrawing from the IRL as of next year. I suppose that takes away the Toyota/Honda/Nissan Japanese fight. Also, it will no-doubt drive up the prices for the engines a bit. Still wondering how those teams are going to actually pay for their engines!
Good news on the CART side however, as Ford might actually be branding those Cosworth engines next year. That should give them the support of a major car producer!
Looking forward to Chicago and Toronto!
:Bounce:
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