1996--the beginning or the end of a Era??

[kmchow]

1996 marked the arrival of ST in North America, South America and Central Europe. Back then, in my opinion, it looked like ST could become the premiere global racing series, the "F3000 of touring cars". The beginning of 1997 looked even better. But by the end of '97, the North American ST series was in trouble, despite the increasing interest in it in '98. Part of me still stubbornly thinks what could have been. The French ST series started having trouble.

But what did you guys see in Europe during '96 and '97?? The beginning of the decline (of competitivenes) ST?? In other words, a bright future or a dark one? Could things have been handled better to make it last longer or even perhaps grow?