Standing Or Rolling Starts?

[Hazza]

Like Champcars, theese things don't have clutches do they? I remember at the pits in Surfers last year to get going they'd rev the hell out of them in neutral and then shift up. And if you where Mika Salo, stall and the bang the wheel with your fist

It'd be rolling starts - won't this be fun!

[Snrub]

I'm not sure that rolling starts produce fewer incidents than standing starts on road courses. Street courses, that's probably true and of course standing is just not viable on ovals.

As for how were drivers were proven, moving from experience driving a champ car on an oval sure means something in terms of a driver being able to handle a IRL car on an oval. We saw it very clearly when the CART drivers started coming back to Indy. I'm sure moving in the opposite direction it would be true as well. Manning also had Ascar experience in the UK and is quiet clearly very talented.

As for supporting American talent, don't forget that Penske ran Al Jr. and that Rahal wanted to run Forgerty in Rice's seat and will likley run Patrick next year. I don't think the series is at a point where it's suffering as a result of too few American drivers. I think it's more important to have quality American drivers than quantity. I think the audience want to see a contender like Rice has been this year and Hornish has been in the past, rather than groups of Americans suck in lesser teams at the back.

I almost don't like to see it happen to early-day IRL fans because they're so hopeful that it would never happen, but it's pretty clear that the IRL is to become what CART was and is nearly there.

As for the "move to Canada comments" for champ car, I will mention that the current top American prospect drives in that series and beats up on drivers better than Kannan. (that's not to say the IRL doesn't have better than Kannan)

[GP Racer]

Originally posted by Snrub
I almost don't like to see it happen to early-day IRL fans because they're so hopeful that it would never happen, but it's pretty clear that the IRL is to become what CART was and is nearly there.

So when the IRL becomes CART, does that mean you'll become a fan Snrub?

[Snrub]

I'm a fan of racing. Consistantly show good races and I'll watch.

[Kicking-back]

So you'll have been watching every IndyCar IRL race this year....

[luke]

Practicurly all the 101 IRL races have had good racing.

[GP Racer]

Originally posted by Snrub
I'm a fan of racing. Consistantly show good races and I'll watch.

Hmmm, I don't really know what more you can want in a race series that the IRL isn't giving you.

I know you have a problem with the aero package, and thats cool, but that aside, you simply cannot deny that the IRL is putting on the most exciting racing to be found in any series today. It boggles my mind, when I see how ridiculously popular NASCAR is. Fans are willing to sit through a 4-5hr. marathon snoozfest, instead of watching a fast and furious, 2 hr. IndyCar race that guarantees a great show.

Entertainment wise, I'd put the IRL up against any series.

Now, enough of this, come on over to the "dark side" already!

I did, and I've been a happy race fan ever since!

[luke]

Well I have as well. Right from Disney World Speedway On January in 1996 and 101 races latter......as loyal as ever!

[Hazza]

Light side dark side, there is no side.

There is motorsport.

End the hate.


To Obi-Haz you will listen.

[rustyfan]

Originally posted by GP Racer
It boggles my mind, when I see how ridiculously popular NASCAR is. Fans are willing to sit through a 4-5hr. marathon snoozfest, instead of watching a fast and furious, 2 hr. IndyCar race that guarantees a great show.

Far from all NASCAR races are 'snoozefests'.

Also, the type of racing that seemingly has inspired IndyCar in many ways - side-by-side pack-racing where it's hard to make proper passes - will be put on display this weekend at Talladega, and with the Chase in full effect I reckon it will be just as fast and furious as your everyday IndyCar race

[GP Racer]

Well, all series put on some good shows, and that includes NASCAR. Talladega is a good one.

But when all the announcers have to talk about is which car is tight, and which car is loose for 3-4hrs and which car took 4 new tires, and which took only 2, I mean just shoot me already! Those guys make Jack Arute and Scott Goodyear look like Mr. Entertainment in comparison

[Snrub]

The whole point is that huge aero, flatout through the corner stinks so they've got to change that for me to be more interested. I find I'll watch one IRL race that makes me want to watch again and then they do one that I don't like so I then miss a bunch of races.

I haven't watched any Nascar this year, but I hate restrictor plate racing. I think Rustyfan is spot on, I think restrictor plate racing inspired what we see happening in open wheel. One thing I really like about open wheel cars is how nimble they are, how they can make manouvers impossible for any other kind of car. Open wheel is not well served by attempting to mimic the race dynamics of a 3500lbs car with suspension from the 1950s.