TBA race...

[Kicking-back]

The run-off where Moore crashed was changed as a result, and since then Fontana has provided good racing.

[drewdawg727]

I miss Michigan more than Fontana...for some reason that race seemed a lot more interesting then California

Actually i wish that we had MORE superspeedways in CART...perhaps that would show some blossoming of the midpack runners and people would get points up the wazoo for leading a lap

[Amar7605]

Originally posted by drewdawg727
Actually i wish that we had MORE superspeedways in CART...perhaps that would show some blossoming of the midpack runners and people would get points up the wazoo for leading a lap

So do I. Perhaps Vegas is the first step in getting more superspeedways. After all, those who own the speedways are not dealing with CART anymore, they are dealing with OWRS.

Speaking of that, just out of curiousity, does anyone think that Champ Car could draw crowds in any of the Southern speedways (ie Atlanta, Charlotte, Rockingham, etc) or in places like Kansas or Chicagoland?

[macdaddy]

Las Vegas should be a 500-miler.
They're unique in that they test the machinery as much as the men.

Drewdawg... I miss Michigan, too. I think most of us do.

[indycool]

Charlotte won't be doing open wheel any more since the spectator tragedy. Atlanta was tried by both CART and IRL through the years but it's such a terrible sports town that nothing works there.....the Braves can't even sell out a major league playoff game. Rockingham was tested by CART in the mid-'80s and found it didn't work....it's owned by ISC and that may be a factor now. Kansas and Chicagoland both have IRL events and would seem unlikely to also book OWRS.

[Mike_Wooshy]

why not look at other ovals around the world .... rockingham (uk, and have it the same weekend as ascar that would bring in crowds) and lautizring spring to mind maybe some others around the world (south america, south africa) .....

[Dov]

I believe that OWRS/CCWS see's Europe and South America in it's future, however they will PROBABLY lean more towards the street & road courses.

[Mags]

Originally posted by Dov
I believe that OWRS/CCWS see's Europe and South America in it's future, however they will PROBABLY lean more towards the street & road courses.

There was NOTHING like all those Super-Ovals in 1999, 2000.

My Boy Patrick won his first race in Michigan. But after that handford device.. it became boring!

I loved watching all those lead changes.. OH and Greg Moore.

[Flatspot]

I was more than half expecting the final TBA to go away after the announcement of Las Vegas, however, at the fan forum in Denver Champ Car's John Lopes said that the announcement should come within a week and that the die hard Champ Car fans will be very pleased. He gave no clue as to where but it was interesting to me that he had genuine exitement in his tone as he was talking about it.

My guess is...Fontana. It's completely open in November. It's race ready and can draw a crowd on quick notice and strategically, what better way to counter the "we're going road racing" card played by the competition.

[Mags]

Not completly - the DP's are running there the first weekend in November. And I just can't see going back there when a) Cart is being sued by them and b) the track is owned by Penske, isn't it?

[cartpix]

Originally posted by Mags
b) the track is owned by Penske, isn't it?

Nope, he sold it a few years back to ISC.

I hope they go there. It's about 60 miles from my house. I went to the last race there & was very disappointed when it was canceled, last year. If they come, I will be there.

Jeff

[Dov]

I just finished watching Robin Miller on Wind Tunnel and he said that the IRL should announce a week from now that they will be racing in ST. Pete during the spring of 2005. He also mentiond that OWRS/CCWS will respond by starting a new event in Tampa Bay. This is gonna get interesting!

[Amar7605]

I like Robin Miller as a journalist, but that seems rather far-fetched to me. And as great as it sounds that Champ Car does not want to give up the Tampa Bay/St Pete market, the thing that I wonder is whether the public is going to have enough money to goto both races. I mean, of course I would want people to go to the Champ Car race, but assuming that the IRL race is a success will people be able to go to both races?

[billkirbywofb]

I believe that the cost of tickets to both events will not be a big problem if the two events in the Tampa/St. Pete area are 4-5 months apart. If the IRL is in April an August or September Champ Car event would be do-able for spectators.

[cartpix]

Have you ever been in Florida, in August or September? Nothing is really do-able, there, at that time of year. RM said, CC whould do the race around the same time (same month). But then again, I take what Miller says, with a LARGE grain of salt.

Jeff

[Tim Northcutt]

Originally posted by cartpix
Have you ever been in Florida, in August or September? Nothing is really do-able, there, at that time of year. RM said, CC whould do the race around the same time (same month). But then again, I take what Miller says, with a LARGE grain of salt.

Jeff

I echo that assessment.....

To race in Florida, the dates must be late Feb., March, early-mid april, or into October or early November....

August or September are not only awful (hot, daily afternoon storms or rain, etc.), but August and/or September are the peak of the Hurricane season....that rist is very real...as we saw last weekend...

I also say the same...until this is "officially announced" by either Series or by St. Pete itself, it is still just a rumor...

[indycool]

If IRL schedules St. Pete and OWRS schedules Tampa against it, OWRS is following in the footsteps of Pook, who destroyed the Mid-Ohio race by stupidly scheduling it opposite Kentucky's IRL race, and Craig, who scheduled races opposite IRl where he could in the early years of IRL. Fine grandstanding, but not very smart.

[brightline]

Back at full speed, although there are a lot of people down here without power, from Punta Gorda all through Orlando. One of my sales reps will not regain power until this weekend! Over a week without power!

Anyways, Camel GT used to race at the Florida State Fairgrounds in the 80's before I lived here. I can see that being an option possibly going around the new FORD Ampitheater. Pure speculation on that one. I did email the St. Pete city council without reply. The Fairgrounds are located right off of I-4, and is easily accessible. This would also go great with the Motorock concept (if still in existence). The ampitheater is a great new venue (I saw Rush play there a couple of weeks ago, just the 4th show at the venue). Also right next door is the new hard rock hotel/casino (former Seminole Indian Casino). How about the Hard Rock Hotel Grand Prix of Tampa presented by Ford.

Late fall or late winter/early spring are the best times for a race around here. The heat is really insane even for locals sometimes. Most of the country has 90+ degree heat but we also has near 100% humidity.

[Omega99]

Originally posted by indycool
If IRL schedules St. Pete and OWRS schedules Tampa against it, OWRS is following in the footsteps of Pook, who destroyed the Mid-Ohio race by stupidly scheduling it opposite Kentucky's IRL race, and Craig, who scheduled races opposite IRl where he could in the early years of IRL. Fine grandstanding, but not very smart.

Agreed. OWRS needs to work to make their own events succeed, not the IRL events fail. But, as everyone else has said so far, who knows if it's even an issue here.

[The Snout]

If OWRS wants to be in the Florida and can't get St.Pete then they need to look at other options. Tampa may provide the opportunity.

[Mags]

Champ Cars have proven Street Races are thier life blood. So I say, bring on every single one they can, and Party Party!

[The Snout]

The IRL also really needs to land St.Pete this time. After the smoke and mirrors routine of Portland, if this ends up being another race where they weren't serious after all, it may further damage their credibility with promoters to be taken seriously in negotiations. OWRS will be watching with interest.

[luke]

The Champcar world series should race on over half a dozen street circuits a season from a round the world but if there micky mouse circuits like miami then there is no reason to. If theres a great atmosphere and a respectable number of fans with local media interest and a great but tricky circuit in a good market area why not.

[Tenoch]

As proven by Denver former mickey mouse circuits can turn into actual races.

[luke]

Any way back to the topic has it been comfermed that Pureto Rico will host the TBA race in november along side Trans-AM.