Interesting Item on New Chassis in Indy Star (Merged) - Page 2

mountainstar · 24 Nov 2009, 16:51 (Ref:2588510)

Quote:

Originally Posted by climb

right point, but I think you're underrating his current/potential influence

I don't think he has a leg to stand on anymore. They did the tony experiment for 15 years to disastrous effect. The money is gone.

**bjohnsonsmith** · 25 Nov 2009, 02:23 (Ref:2588768)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainstar

Whether any, part or none of that is true, at the end of the day for 15 years tony george had his say and look where we are now. Not even in the toilet but down in the sewer. Anyone that would listen to him would have to be crazy. Even his most fervent supporters would have to admit that he had the time and money to do what he want, it didn't work and it was time for a change.

Interestingly, this could equally be applied to Bernie Ecclestone. The current agreement in F1 runs out in 2012, people are fed up with Ecclestone's constant interference, over the last few years and want change.

mountainstar · 25 Nov 2009, 04:00 (Ref:2588791)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Interestingly, this could equally be applied to Bernie Ecclestone. The current agreement in F1 runs out in 2012, people are fed up with Ecclestone's constant interference, over the last few years and want change.

Change, at some point, is good, whether politics, motorsport, jobs, what you have for lunch, etc.

I was reading today in the latest issue of Motorsport a column from N. Roebuck about how F1 has stagnated with all the long time regulars and how all the absolute power AND money has been corrupting.

I see the same with the speedway and the irl, time for change. You have to give credit to the hulman clan for "saving" the speedway in 1945, but it's been the same groupthink for 65 years. Time for new ideas and new people and especially considering the deplorable condition of the irl, it needs to be on a radical scale.

Nascar I think sensed that potential stagnation in the 1990's so they started opening up the upper management and markets and ideas. Granted I think they've turned it into too much of a circus, but then again it's probably time for an adjustment and change again.

**bjohnsonsmith** · 25 Nov 2009, 05:04 (Ref:2588821)

I agree, change is good and I don't think anyone is calling for a revolution but what is interesting is how similar is/was TG's agenda to Bernie's - My way or the Highway, If you don't like it lump it, and in Bernie's case threatening the British GP.

climb · 25 Nov 2009, 10:37 (Ref:2588949)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainstar

I don't think he has a leg to stand on anymore. They did the tony experiment for 15 years to disastrous effect. The money is gone.

once again good point but I still think you're a bit too optimist.

the fact that one thing is good doesn't necessarly mean it will happen

mountainstar · 26 Nov 2009, 02:29 (Ref:2589351)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

I agree, change is good and I don't think anyone is calling for a revolution but what is interesting is how similar is/was TG's agenda to Bernie's - My way or the Highway, If you don't like it lump it, and in Bernie's case threatening the British GP.

But there is one key difference. Bernie spent many long quiet years building influence and power, slowly accumulating all the marbles of F1.

tony george came in as a young, indignant, inexperienced man and demanded all the CART marbles for a cut rate price.

Big difference.

climb · 26 Nov 2009, 13:51 (Ref:2589684)

OMG ms, please let's not get back to the Tg vs CART saga, we ha discussed it 1.000.000.000.000.000 times!

miatanut · 27 Nov 2009, 20:04 (Ref:2590368)

There are still a lot of folks upset about what happened to a once great racing series. It will take a while to get past that.

**bjohnsonsmith** · 30 Nov 2009, 00:37 (Ref:2591480)

There are a lot of upset folks, me included but hopefully with a series the prospect of new engine manufcturers and a new chassis will be a step in the right direction. The altrnative is it stays as it is and stagnates.

Juarez Jed · 7 Dec 2009, 20:40 (Ref:2595680)

With all this talk of the series potentially falling over and the pros and cons of the new chassis, I have been wondering how do you sustain the jewel in the crown (the Indy 500) if the rest of the series is not viable .?
Would it be posible to run the Indy 500 for cars based around modern-day asphalt modifieds, and you could run sprintcars for some of the shorter tracks in the series for variety.
I would love to see Ganassi, Andretti and Penske prepared modifieds at Indy, and they could use Nascar or silver crown drivers for one-off drives if the series wasn't attractive to them as a whole. The series could be left to the privateers.
Team owners could decide whether to run Goodyears, Firestone or Hoosiers. They would have the choice of engines from Ford, GM, Dodge, Mercedes, Hyundai........Cummins diesels !!
Owners could spend squillions, but there would also be privateer battler owner/drivers in the field from Iowa and Nebraska.
Anyway, just throwing out some ideas, I will go and get my 1/18 Watson and Kurtis Kraft replicas, take my next dose of medications, and go and have a nice long lie down. Sweet dreams !!

**bjohnsonsmith** · 7 Dec 2009, 21:11 (Ref:2595703)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juarez Jed

I would love to see Ganassi, Andretti and Penske prepared modifieds at Indy, and they could use Nascar or silver crown drivers for one-off drives if the series wasn't attractive to them as a whole.

Are these modified Dallara's? As for using Nascar drivers, would they would have the time? Their race schedule is fairly comprehensive.

Juarez Jed · 7 Dec 2009, 21:45 (Ref:2595732)

I only meant Nascar drivers for the 500, Silver crown drivers or dirt track modified guys for the rest.
If a fleet of helicopters and Learjets couldn't make that possible for current Nascar drivers then let the Nationwide boys fight out the 500 ! Or better still, bring back DW and Jimmy Spencer, and Billy Boat

Juarez Jed · 7 Dec 2009, 21:53 (Ref:2595739)

[QUOTE=bjohnsonsmith;2595703]Are these modified Dallara's?

Sorry mate, I didn't mean modified Dallaras, I meant Modifieds, as in Bicknells of Gamblers or whatever. Real cars made out of aluminium.......or even wood if you like

Juarez Jed · 8 Dec 2009, 21:47 (Ref:2596336)

So I've given you all a day, and no- one has come out in support of my "vision". Now i know how Tony George felt

Well, this is your last chance to join me as I put the pedal to the metal and drive hell for leather off into the future, with my eyes focused solely on the rear-view mirror !!

Purist · 9 Dec 2009, 21:12 (Ref:2596909)

Sorry, roadsters and modifieds have their place, but that place is NOT IndyCar, as far I'm concerned.

Juarez Jed · 10 Dec 2009, 00:59 (Ref:2597048)

Thanks for at least bothering to contribute Purist.
I was obviously playing devil's advocate, there's no way the cars I suggested would be safe on a superspeedway anyway.
I was just wondering that if the IRL ceased to exist in its current form, the Honda engine disappeared and/or the new chassis didn't eventuate, what would contest the Indy 500?

A) Ancient Dallaras held together with string
B) God forbid, NASCAR COT's
C) Insert your suggestion here. (I suggested asphalt modifieds sanctioned by Nascar).

I'm interested to get some opinions on option C.

Thanks

Down F0rce · 10 Dec 2009, 01:08 (Ref:2597054)

My option C would be a "run what ya brung" race for single seaters. Like it used to be.

rush1 · 10 Dec 2009, 03:14 (Ref:2597085)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Are these modified Dallara's? As for using Nascar drivers, would they would have the time? Their race schedule is fairly comprehensive.

NASCAR drivers are not going to come to Indianapolis, take rookie orientation and than zoom around at 220 mph. It didn't happen in the days of Richard Petty or Dale Earnhardt and it will not happen now.

Some journalist will ask as NASCAR driver if they would ever want to compete in an Indy car and or enter the Indianapolis 500. Some might say yes, but actions speak louder than words.

Its like Kyle Bush and F1. He says something in an interview and the media runs with it. Of course it will never happen.

William Dale Jr · 10 Dec 2009, 03:45 (Ref:2597091)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rush1

It didn't happen in the days of Richard Petty or Dale Earnhardt and it will not happen now.

So Cale Yarborough, Lee Roy Yarborough and Bobby Allison racing at Indy didn't really happen?

As it stands now, I'm sure there probably are a couple of NASCAR drivers who would want to have a run in the 500 - Stewart, Gordon X2, Johnson, etc - but undoubtedly each would want to do it properly. That means a lot of testing to get seat time in the car, and probably a race or two prior to Indy. On top of a full NASCAR schedule, where would they find the time to fit an Indy program?

If their NASCAR commitments don't preclude them from doing it, surely their sponsors would have something to say about it. Unless, of course, they were to sponsor the Indy rides as well and benefit from the extra exposure and media interest in their driver trying to do the double.

mountainstar · 10 Dec 2009, 04:42 (Ref:2597102)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rush1

NASCAR drivers are not going to come to Indianapolis, take rookie orientation and than zoom around at 220 mph. It didn't happen in the days of Richard Petty or Dale Earnhardt and it will not happen now.

Some journalist will ask as NASCAR driver if they would ever want to compete in an Indy car and or enter the Indianapolis 500. Some might say yes, but actions speak louder than words.

Its like Kyle Bush and F1. He says something in an interview and the media runs with it. Of course it will never happen.

Well they have in the past come to indy. Not in large #'s but they have.

Now indy is small beans and scheduling/sponsorship issues would preclude any nascar driver from participating.

I think they are facing an interesting dilemma. Clearly running old bangers like silver crown cars is out. And the current formula is a dog no one except a few in indy care about anymore. Manufacturers aren't interested. I was talking with someone connected to VW motorsport last week and basically they pitch all kinds of stuff which the bean counters shut down and it looks like the proposed indy engine deal aint gonna happen, at least at the current moment. Honda cut 2 years off it's deal so they are likely gone.

They are going to have to come up with something and soon because time and money is running out quick.

Juarez Jed · 10 Dec 2009, 11:17 (Ref:2597235)

Is the 500 really a nothing event in the States now is it ? If that is true that is really sad.
I knew that the TV ratings and crowds for the IRL as a whole were pathetic but I thought the 500 would still attract enough once a year viewers to make it all worthwhile.
I am surprised that most Nascar guys would have no interest in winning the 500, they always seem to respect the history and the aura of the place when the Brickyard 400 is on.
I have spent many hours in the Hall of Fame, I love the place so my feelings are quite heartfelt.

William Dale Jr · 11 Dec 2009, 01:12 (Ref:2597616)

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...-the-2012-car/

Now, if only they could show us a picture! I wonder if pictures of this proposal will see the light of day if it isn't selected?

rush1 · 11 Dec 2009, 04:24 (Ref:2597696)

Quote:

Originally Posted by William Dale Jr

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...-the-2012-car/

Now, if only they could show us a picture! I wonder if pictures of this proposal will see the light of day if it isn't selected?

This is going to happen. I think we can now assume that indy cars are going to be radically changed and we are going to enter a new era of racing with this car development. The days of an IRL spec series are ending. Something very close to Bowlby's design is coming to fruition.

Did you see who is behind this conceptual car? Tony George, Kevin Kalkhoven, Andrertti, Ganassi, Penske. It looks like we have near unanimous agreement on this radical departure from the big players in the IRL.

This is the biggest news to come out of open wheel racing since the unification of Champ Cars and the IRL, in my opinion.

Juarez Jed · 11 Dec 2009, 06:27 (Ref:2597729)

Wow !
My spirits have been lifted

Thanks for that link William

**bjohnsonsmith** · 11 Dec 2009, 07:34 (Ref:2597752)

I've seen this bandied around:

and this:

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