Indycar News & Rumors.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Mosport’s run off is a lot bigger than it used to be, but I don’t think it’s had any major motorsport meeting in recent times, so not sure how it would do now

Huh? IMSA, SRO GT America and NASCAR Truck series all run at the track. Yes, they aren't bringing the F1 circus to town anymore but those aren't small local club events.

[S griffin]

Wasn’t sure about IMSA, I knew the old ALMS raced there. That sportscars are one thing, single seaters are another

[broadrun96]

Gotcha, so you just have to be right then? If IMSA and Indy cars can race on a majority of the same tracks and test on all bar of the same, I think they can race on the same tracks. No need to add extra arguments you've left out completely because you must be right.

And, if you have been keeping up, Indy's powers that be are and have been interested and discussed it amongst themselves but they doubt there's a good date and draw. If Toronto with history has struggled why would a new venue suddenly solve things?

[S griffin]

No need for that, it’s just that I can’t remember the last time a major single seater series raced at Mosport. So we won’t know for sure if it will still suit Indycars. Not saying it won’t though

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Wasn’t sure about IMSA, I knew the old ALMS raced there. That sportscars are one thing, single seaters are another

ALMS merged with the Grand-Am Rolex series back in 2014, to become the United SportsCar Championship, which is sponsored by WeatherTech and sanctioned by IMSA.

[S griffin]

Yeah, I knew that. It’s actually become a very strong series since the merging

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Yeah, I knew that. It’s actually become a very strong series since the merging

It's just that in your post #4802, you said you weren't sure about IMSA.

[mstets]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Gotcha, so you just have to be right then? If IMSA and Indy cars can race on a majority of the same tracks and test on all bar of the same, I think they can race on the same tracks. No need to add extra arguments you've left out completely because you must be right.

And, if you have been keeping up, Indy's powers that be are and have been interested and discussed it amongst themselves but they doubt there's a good date and draw. If Toronto with history has struggled why would a new venue suddenly solve things?

I wasn't aware that Toronto was struggling in terms of the crowd it draws. Thought the issues were more about current lack of pit space and possible new downtown development making the race difficult/impractical to continue. If they are having trouble getting enough spectators I agree that a race at Mosport probably wouldn't be well attended. I have good memories from both tracks so would like to see the series continue in the area.


If Toronto doesn't continue and Mosport is out, what fills the date in the schedule? Pocono seems to be out due to poor attendance and questionable safety. Any chance of returning to Watkins Glen? I'd like to see a race at the Milwaukee Mile, but it seems that isn't going to happen barring a large investment of cash from a promoter.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

It's just that in your post #4802, you said you weren't sure about IMSA.

I wasn’t sure that they raced at Mosport until it was said. My bad

[bjohnsonsmith]

There's been a declaration of a state of emergency in Austin Texas and though this article doean't mention the 4th round of this year's IndyCar season, which is at COTA on April 26, MotoGP's new season-opener, which is due to take place on April 5th is in doubt. The city will now suspend any events with 2,500 or more people in attendance, unless event organisers are able to prove to the Public Health Department that appropriate measures will be in place to contain the spread of contagious diseases. I would presume that will include the 4th round at COTA.

https://www.autosport.com/motogp/new...w-under-threat

[broadrun96]

Yeah, it will be cancelled not postponed. The reasons make zero sense as they have not had a single case yet in the area but they are pretending people don't travel to any of the businesses in the area. It's a pathetic attempt to placate the stupid.

But they've cancelled SXSW already, cancelling a minor event like a race isn't even on the town's radar as a problem relative SXSW.

[HighParker]

Regarding the likely lack of pit boxes in Toronto, I suppose one possibility could be another smaller pit area, though I'm not sure it would be the most practical solution. There is always an escape road left for cars reaching Turn 1 where they can go through the Princes' Gates to Strachan Avenue and rejoin at Turn 2. The cars using it during it the race would have to be stopped for more time to make sure they wouldn't gain an advantage because of using this shorter pit lane, along with only being allowed to rejoin when no other cars were approaching.

[bjohnsonsmith]

This is the state of play regarding the forth coming season and the coronavirus.

https://racer.com/2020/03/09/indycar...pete-indy-500/

[broadrun96]

Conor Daly to run the full season between road and street courses & Indy 500 with ECR and the remaining ovals in Max Chilton's seat with Carlin.

https://racer.com/2020/03/10/daly-to...s-with-carlin/

[bjohnsonsmith]

According to RACER "COTA has already been in touch with local authorities regarding the IndyCar race, and with a proper mitigation plan in place, the likelihood of receiving a permit to continue with the race as scheduled is said to be highly favorable."

https://racer.com/2020/03/10/cota-in...irus-measures/

[rwintle]

Originally Posted by HighParker

Regarding the likely lack of pit boxes in Toronto, I suppose one possibility could be another smaller pit area, though I'm not sure it would be the most practical solution. There is always an escape road left for cars reaching Turn 1 where they can go through the Princes' Gates to Strachan Avenue and rejoin at Turn 2. The cars using it during it the race would have to be stopped for more time to make sure they wouldn't gain an advantage because of using this shorter pit lane, along with only being allowed to rejoin when no other cars were approaching.

That's a very inventive idea. However...



It would need extra timing loops for pit lane speed, additional safety personnel and officials, and so forth. Plus that escape road is there for a very good reason - having it double as a pit in would be insanely dangerous. And pit gear would have to get there down the front straight. Plus the re-join at turn 2 is pretty badly sighted as I recall. And there would need to be a ton of extra security making sure people weren't peeking over the crowd fences backing onto Strachan Avenue.

I do think the pit box issue is a real one. A friend of mine suggested that perhaps one of the smaller teams might elect to give Toronto a pass. Not sure how likely that is, either.

[rwintle]

Also - Felipe Nasr confirmed in the #31 Carlin car for St. Pete only (so far).


https://racer.com/2020/03/10/nasr-co...st-petersburg/

[S griffin]

Nice to see Nasr being given a go, even for only one race. A talented driver who never got the breaks he needed to get far in F1

[bjohnsonsmith]

According to Autosport, Long Beach has been cancelled.

https://www.autosport.com/indycar/ne...to-coronavirus

[bjohnsonsmith]

IndyCar have released an official statement saying, all NTT INDYCAR Series events through April will be cancelled, including this weekend's opening round at St. Petersburg.

http://view.email.brickyard.com/?qs=...0d4d65c1639c44

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

IndyCar have released an official statement saying, all NTT INDYCAR Series events through April will be cancelled, including this weekend's opening round at St. Petersburg.

http://view.email.brickyard.com/?qs=...0d4d65c1639c44

Most sensible thing to I reckon

[S griffin]

I just hope everything returns to normal sooner rather than later, as people need it more than ever.

[Armco Bender]

Indy 500 looking doubtful too?..

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I just hope everything returns to normal sooner rather than later, as people need it more than ever.

When things return to normal, we will no longer need them to.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Armco Bender

Indy 500 looking doubtful too?..

If they also have to postpone the GMR Grand Prix on May 9th, then I would have thought so.