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16 Apr 2022, 04:26 (Ref:4106976) | #5976 | ||
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You make some interesting points. I can't think of many unsponsored cars recently other than Enerson in 2020. When were there 8 cars without major sponsorship? I remember cars practicing in the CART era without sponsorship but if they qualified they generally picked up a sponsor by race day. I think back then, there were sponsors looking to get their name on a car if it qualified even if they weren't willing to back a team before the car was qualified. If I recall correctly the VDS team ran the month of May in 1983 unsponsored with Geoff Brabham, then picked up sponsorship for the race. VDS traditionally ran F5000 and CanAm with no major sponsor. I was told at the time that the sponsor never paid despite a 4th place finish. In 1985, Scott Brayton didn't pick up Hardee's sponsorship until after he had qualified on the front row. Granted my examples are from another era, but could be repeated if the series can continue to gain exposure. As I stated before, I wouldn't be concerned if only the 27 full time cars started this year's race. It's more important that the TV audience grows, which will attract more and bigger sponsors in the future. There are lots of more important factors that will influence viewership other than number of starters. The average viewer isn't aware that 33 cars usually start the race and the regular fans of the series are going to watch regardless. More important is coverage of qualifying, promotion, and the weather on race day. If it's raining on race day everywhere but Indy, viewership will be boosted. |
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16 Apr 2022, 08:58 (Ref:4106982) | #5977 | |
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Yes these are valid points. It's hard to do it without a sponsor. You need those backers to compete in the race. It was probably easier in the CART days, seeing as publicity was just as important and it got picked up by the sponsor. There was always the attraction of racing in the Indy 500, so some would do whatever means necessary. But those days are done. Money is more important than ever. Running these cars ain't cheap. But it's not all doom and gloom
Really there's something wrong if we can't get 33 cars, even if there are some drivers on the grid who you wouldn't normally choose to race in Indycars. The series needs to keep a careful eye over what's happening. The spectacle of the Indy 500 is still there, so hope for a good one, but it is still a worry if they can't get a full grid |
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16 Apr 2022, 15:52 (Ref:4107001) | #5978 | |||
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No one is whingeing doom and gloom, all that's been said is it doesn't look good for the health of the series if they can't fill the grid with 33 cars. So in that regard, the sponsors who are involved with the race and series promotion, namely Gainbridge and NTT will give a rip if there aren't 33 cars on the grid. However, regarding the sponsors for the actual teams and drivers, like DHL, Hy Vee, Verizon etc., their primary concern is if their car and driver wins the race, or has a good result. As it is, it looks like there may be some contenders for the 33 slot. https://racer.com/2022/04/13/juncos-...lis-500-entry/ |
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"If you're not winning you're not trying." Colin Chapman. |
19 Apr 2022, 02:18 (Ref:4107214) | #5979 | |
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Looks like the guys at the offices listen and watched, Nashville getting some tweaks to the track.
Start line just after the bridge to be used for start of race and all restarts, finish line stays where it was. T11, final corner, is getting slightly opened for visibility and possiblity better line. https://racer.com/2022/04/18/nashvil...dycars-return/ |
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19 Apr 2022, 03:52 (Ref:4107216) | #5980 | |||
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33 cars at Indy is neccessary, however its not a pointer to the health of the series. If anything it shows how teams have raised there own standards to the point that they dont want/need to run a half arsed entry destined for last place anymore. |
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Upon entry into the Bathurst 1000, it should be mandatory to view the compelling "Moffat - Man and the Mountain" film |
19 Apr 2022, 13:12 (Ref:4107261) | #5981 | |
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I think there's enough quality in the field, although maybe not every driver. It's a specialised series, but the attraction of the Indy 500 means there will always be a good grid
Hopefully we get a full grid at Indy, it wouldn't be the same without it, even if we get some drivers and teams of lesser quality. But we don't really get that many of those anyway |
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20 Apr 2022, 01:47 (Ref:4107333) | #5982 | |
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McLaren hitting the Twitter machine for 500 liveries
Rosenqvist https://twitter.com/ArrowMcLarenSP/s...aJoR-s57ZWCNSg O'Ward https://twitter.com/ArrowMcLarenSP/s...0I4v2p8jPooyHA And the old veteran https://twitter.com/ArrowMcLarenSP/s...H_1Z8aK-7ulwLg |
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20 Apr 2022, 01:50 (Ref:4107334) | #5983 | |
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And other McLaren news, reports say Rossi has signed with them for next year. Supposedly there's a clause that says he can't talk with other teams until later this year though so....
https://racer.com/2022/04/19/andrett...claren-rumors/ |
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20 Apr 2022, 14:32 (Ref:4107392) | #5984 | ||
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I like green and orange. But olive? Ewww!
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Nitropteron - Fly fast or get crushed! by NaBUrean Prodooktionz naburu38.itch.io |
20 Apr 2022, 15:27 (Ref:4107400) | #5985 | |||
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''if IndyCar is trying to grow, trying to promote its value and improved season-long car counts and TV ratings, what kind of message does it send by accepting a reduced car count at its biggest and most popular race? If they throw in the towel on its tradition of 33 starters, they open themselves up to big questions from sponsors, promoters, and their main corporate partners about the true health of the series.'' https://racer.com/2022/04/13/the-rac...ag-april-13/3/ On a completely different note. The 2 day open test at IMS has started. |
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"If you're not winning you're not trying." Colin Chapman. |
20 Apr 2022, 17:49 (Ref:4107415) | #5986 | |||
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Quote:
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20 Apr 2022, 18:34 (Ref:4107422) | #5987 | |||
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In the April 13 The Racer Mailbag, Marshall Pruett recounts what it was like to be a crew member at his first Indy 500 in 1997, with a small team on a shoestring budget. So taking those two examples I would say yes. |
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"If you're not winning you're not trying." Colin Chapman. |
20 Apr 2022, 20:17 (Ref:4107440) | #5988 | ||
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20 Apr 2022, 20:47 (Ref:4107444) | #5989 | |
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Well keep your DW12 parts cause the teams might want them, Indy will continue to use it through the 2024 season at least. Roger doesn't feel the need to spend more money on a new car just yet. Also would be the year for the new powertrain installation, but we've heard the teams crying about the costs to do both at the same time. Wonder how long the DW12 will continue on with added weight of sidepod intrusion, aeroscreen and possibly the new engine/hybrid combo.
https://racer.com/2022/04/20/indycar...at-least-2024/ |
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20 Apr 2022, 22:39 (Ref:4107454) | #5990 | |||
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You asked if I could bring up a single entry within the last 2 chassis that showed up with an underfunded car and did anything? Well I have and it won. in 2011 Bryan Herta Autosport had one car, a Dallara IR-05, which was shared between Alex Tagliani and the late Dan Wheldon, who raced it in the 95th running of the Indy 500 and won. If there have been teams without pole day setups, just rolling in with race setup, is that such a bad thing? Having their car and driver on the front row of the grid, doesn't guarantee a win. In the history of the Indy 500, only 22 drivers have won from pole. Well, if less than 25% of sponsors know the grid is made up of 33 cars, or half of them could not care any less, all I can say is that's a little sad. |
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21 Apr 2022, 07:37 (Ref:4107468) | #5991 | |
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To be fair, I don't think there's been many mediocre entries that have qualified for the 500 in recent years. So I don't think there's a problem still allowing 33 cars
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He who dares wins! He who hesitates is lost! |
21 Apr 2022, 12:27 (Ref:4107496) | #5992 | ||
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22 Apr 2022, 08:32 (Ref:4107569) | #5993 | |||
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By the same token, do you think any of the sponsors aren't fans of the racing? I wouldn't expect every sponsor to necessarily be a race fan. However, I would be a little surprised if some of those sponsors who are involved in the automotive industry weren't. Agreed, sponsors are concerned with who is watching, particularly with those watching on TV. Sponsoring is a form of marketing and its purpose is to create brand and product awareness, which hopefully will result in sales. Therefore, if a sporting series or event starts to diminish and viewing figures decline, those sponsors are going to be looking elsewhere to advertise their product, which is why having 33 cars on the grid is important for the health of IndyCar. |
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"If you're not winning you're not trying." Colin Chapman. |
22 Apr 2022, 08:37 (Ref:4107570) | #5994 | ||
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Josef Newgarden pushes the speed limit past 229 Mph at the Indy Open Test.
https://www.indycar.com/news/2022/04...yaxBHAata7818M |
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"If you're not winning you're not trying." Colin Chapman. |
22 Apr 2022, 12:09 (Ref:4107593) | #5995 | ||
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Changing the conversation a bit, I had to get 3 new tires for 3 different vehicles at work. There is a Firestone tire shop a couple blocks away and I've always had great service there. In the waiting/lobby area there are advertisements plastered everywhere for Firestone tires, but as i looked around there weren't any advertisements with Indycar on them!
I looked again, and there is nothing that has an indycar on it, nothing with the series name, but finally i found a small ad for the Firestone credit card that had a picture of Will Power from behind, but if you didn't know who it was you wouldn't know. I just felt like this is a missed opportunity for the series! Maybe it is just this location that doesn't have the indycar ads, but who knows. |
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22 Apr 2022, 13:14 (Ref:4107600) | #5996 | |
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22 Apr 2022, 20:29 (Ref:4107638) | #5997 | ||
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Question for those who have been to Indy, I have the opportunity to attend either the Indy GP (road course) or Indy 500 Qualifying. Tickets are cheaper for qualifying, but it isn't a race...
Thoughts on which one to attend? I'll already be in the area, and going to the 500 isn't an option. |
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23 Apr 2022, 05:13 (Ref:4107649) | #5998 | ||
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I haven't participated at IMS in 35 years but at that time qualifying was worth attending. With the present format I would rather attend the GP, though I have never attended it myself. |
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23 Apr 2022, 09:03 (Ref:4107657) | #5999 | ||
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23 Apr 2022, 18:17 (Ref:4107714) | #6000 | ||
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The GP has a full slate of races in addition to IndyCar. I recommend that weekend.
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Nitropteron - Fly fast or get crushed! by NaBUrean Prodooktionz naburu38.itch.io |
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