Indycar News & Rumors.

[JohnSSC]

Originally Posted by FordCosworthPanoz

Audi will save the series right after IZOD has.


I honestly think a lot of this depends on whether or not US DTM takes off. Audi/VW was one of the key players in talk over the new engine regs as far back as 08 and they bowed out so we'll see. I'll believe Audi going to any form of open wheel when I see it.

Exactly. Audi have been rumored to be going IndyCar racing about half a bazillion times. Audi has shown zero inclination to do anything other than sportscar racing as it has been very effective for them.

Next up, the annual VW rumor, then the rumors that begin when any automobile company reports a profit. I am breathlessly awaiting the news that Tata Motors is considering entry...

What possible advantage would there be to Audi to go to IndyCar? Grand Am I can see...

[Canada ALMS fan]

Originally Posted by JohnSSC

What possible advantage would there be to Audi to go to IndyCar? Grand Am I can see...

Sadly their fan bases are about the same size.

[Paradise City]

They might strike out for the 500. If they had an existing engine they could modify on the cheap. They know LeMans, Indianapolis, Monaco are the big global races.

Tony George would find a way to alienate Audi though. It's as inevitable as the sun-rise.

[HJJ]

Originally Posted by Canada ALMS fan

Couldn't care less about the DTM or DP news but man I really hope they do Indycar...
http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...type-for-2014/
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/106774

Could care less aboot Mindaycar. Hope they go DP racing.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

I was thinking more along the lines of ARCA, or the Camping World Truck Series. They do get better ratings than Indycar or Grand Am.


If they want to stick with technical relevance then NASA's German Touring National Series with a huge factory program in the Thunderhill 25 Hours. I hear they're already testing with Allan McNish at Blackhawk Farms. Of course, one of the greatest journalists ever with the likes of Walter Cronkite and Robert Fisk: the great Marshall Pruett, told me, so it must be true.

[Canada ALMS fan]

Originally Posted by HJJ

Could care less aboot Mindaycar. Hope they go DP racing.

Noooo, let's not encourage the DPs.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by FordCosworthPanoz

Audi/VW was one of the key players in talk over the new engine regs as far back as 08 and they bowed out so we'll see. I'll believe Audi going to any form of open wheel when I see it.

I remember at the time Audi were also rumoured to be going into F1 but it never happened. They are happy racing in the WEC.

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by JohnSSC

Exactly. Audi have been rumored to be going IndyCar racing about half a bazillion times. Audi has shown zero inclination to do anything other than sportscar racing as it has been very effective for them.

Next up, the annual VW rumor, then the rumors that begin when any automobile company reports a profit. I am breathlessly awaiting the news that Tata Motors is considering entry...

What possible advantage would there be to Audi to go to IndyCar? Grand Am I can see...

I can't see it happening as Audi's customers are not into that irl scene at all and there is no real benefit for Audi.

I got some insight a few years ago into VW/Audi's methodology in regards to motorsports programs. They look at everything and do their math and in my opinion are one of the more thorough in their approach to motor racing and what they get out of it than many other manufacturers. Good Luck irl.

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by Canada ALMS fan

Sadly their fan bases are about the same size.

It's not just about fan bases, but what the potential customers are for their product and what you can use in your own media buys to push sales of your cars. Most manufacturers spend just as much on advertising their successes as they do on the actual sport itself.

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by mountainstar

I can't see it happening as Audi's customers are not into that irl scene at all and there is no real benefit for Audi.

Who needs Audi when you can speak on their behalf?

[JohnSSC]

Audi is all about the diesel technology, for one thing, so going to the IRL as the builder of engines that are less powerful than that of the pace car would seem to hold little appeal for them (iimho). I mean, what would be the "win" for Audi vis a vis participating in the IRL as a builder?

I would tend to agree with MS that IF an Audi owner is interested in motorsport (and this is not a given) then they likely would be interested in WEC-style racing. They attempt to showcase their engineering and performance within that platform. Why in God's name would they want to attach their name to a spec racing series?

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by JohnSSC

Audi is all about the diesel technology, for one thing, so going to the IRL as the builder of engines that are less powerful than that of the pace car would seem to hold little appeal for them (iimho). I mean, what would be the "win" for Audi vis a vis participating in the IRL as a builder?

I would tend to agree with MS that IF an Audi owner is interested in motorsport (and this is not a given) then they likely would be interested in WEC-style racing. They attempt to showcase their engineering and performance within that platform. Why in God's name would they want to attach their name to a spec racing series?

Agreed, and the fact that the multiple aero parts proposal has been scrapped for now thanks to Randy's ousting.

It could be worse if Audi joins NASCAR...

[JohnSSC]

I don't see Audi joining NASCAR...not in any Universe.

[gomick]

Audi do have open wheel experience with the old Formula Palmer Audi series run out of the UK for 13 years upto 2010 - wonder what they got out of that against formula ford, renault, 3 etc...

Justin Wilson was FPA champion in 1998, maybe they are going to ave him as there driver in IndyCar when they enter

[Down F0rce]

1996 Indy 500 winner Buddy Lazier has apparently purchased the car Fan Force United ran last year.

http://www.wibc.com/MikeThomsen/blog...tryID=10535777

Brother Jacques is also looking for a ride. Other sites claim he has bought a brand new car from Dallara.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

From the thread '2013 Indianapolis 500 Entry List' posted on April 13th.

FordCosworthPanoz

I expect they'll get to 33 with some second Ed Carpenter Racing or a Dick Simon entry with Jacques Lazier or Buddy Rice driving.

Burn me! I'm a witch!

Looks like I was right about Dick Simon's 'Fan Force United' car in the field, except it will be fielded by someone else. I also got the part right about Jacques as he can be found in gasoline alley every year. Only part I wasn't right about was mixing up the rusty forgotten Indy 500 winners named 'Buddy' who both tested and weren't impressive enough to get a ride in the Camping World Truck Series.

I also fully expect a second car from a team like ECR to make up the 33.

[Canada ALMS fan]

What a joke! And they wonder why this is no longer anywhere close to the greatest race in the world except to a few folks over the age of 60 and in the U.S. midwest. If these guys were putting an effort together and there were 40-45 cars no big deal but when they can show up and have a guarantee to be in the show...

[Paradise City]

Backmarkers are disastrous in most even premier series though and this has been the case since time immemorial. If they have enough entrants to us give some Bump day fun that'll be a small accomplishment for the series - compared to recent years which isn't saying much.

[HJJ]

04/25/13 DRR parking No. 22 after Indy? Rumor has it that Dreyer and Reinbold Racing is parking the #22 Servia car after the Indy 500. Sponsorship difficulties. How do teams get sponsorship with the TV ratings NBC Sports Network is delivering? No official word from the team as of yet. Partner Panther Racing will carry on with Hildebrand, however.

.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by HJJ

04/25/13 DRR parking No. 22 after Indy? Rumor has it that Dreyer and Reinbold Racing is parking the #22 Servia car after the Indy 500. Sponsorship difficulties. How do teams get sponsorship with the TV ratings NBC Sports Network is delivering? No official word from the team as of yet. Partner Panther Racing will carry on with Hildebrand, however.

Teams lose sponsorship, is the answer. However this seems beyond the comprehension of the Hulman Georges and the IndyCar board.

[Canada ALMS fan]

That's a shame, Servia is one of my favourite drivers and Robbie Buhl seems like a good guy. Not surprised though, more likely to come with the abysmal ROI. To get a return on sponsorship these days in Indycar you need major activation, like Target does, for it to make sense. Hard to do for some teams when stickers are on a car on a single race basis.

[Canada ALMS fan]

It's official:
http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...fter-indy-500/

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by Paradise City

If they have enough entrants to us give some Bump day fun that'll be a small accomplishment for the series - compared to recent years which isn't saying much.

Bump day 2011 doesnt ring a bell?

[FAS33]

Originally Posted by Canada ALMS fan

It's official:
http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...fter-indy-500/

the question now is, who's next?

has this series got any cost cutting measures to try and bring back smaller teams to a more level playing field? it needs parity.

[one five five]

Originally Posted by FAS33

the question now is, who's next?

has this series got any cost cutting measures to try and bring back smaller teams to a more level playing field? it needs parity.

One of the smallest teams won just last weekend. It is a spec-series in the chassis department with both engines winning races this year.... what more 'parity' do you need?

The problem isn't really how much the cars cost at the moment, it is about who is willing to kick the tin in general.