Walt Disney World

Knottsfreak · 18 Jan 2003, 06:23 (Ref:477953)

I was wondering why the IRL dosn't race at WDW anymore. I was looking at some IRL history since I am a CART fan and don't know much about the IRL. I was hoping someone can fill me in. I also noticed that the IRL ran there first race on my birthday, thanks for the present of seeing some really exciting oval racing. Thanks.

marcus · 24 Jan 2003, 00:43 (Ref:484076)

I liked the track at walt disney world , but I have no idea why they dont tun there anymore.

shame really cause I dont know if they get any other racing there either ???

gofastturnleft · 24 Jan 2003, 00:56 (Ref:484084)

The original glitch was when the IRL wanted to close the huge gap they had at the beginning of the season between the first and second race. Disney was adament about running the race on certain low traffic weekends to help drive up traffic at their complex. Ultimately the dates the IRL wanted and the dates that Disnet wanted didn't jive.

About the same time the IRL decided they were no longer in the business of being a promoter. In harder times they had been forced in to doing some track rentals like CART is having to do this year in order to have enough races for a season. Disney also balked at the idea of promoting the race themselves.

The third key in the deal was when ISC really became tight with the IRL a few years ago. With Daytona and Homestead in their fold already there really isn't room for another track to pull fan dollars from their facilities. While it has never been confirmed it has been thought that part of the ISC arrangement to support the IRL, the IRL would not run any additional races outside of their complexes.

As it stands now we have Homestead in South Florida hosting a race now and maybe Daytona hosting a race down the road. Just does not paint an optimistic picture of ever seeing Disney back on the IRL schedule.

Never say never we have learned though.

Dan

JamesJimmy · 24 Jan 2003, 04:12 (Ref:484164)

The only thing I ever hear of them doing at the Disney track since the IRL left is the "Richard Petty Driving Experience," which (as you may know) is kind of a driving school for Winston Cup-style stock cars. Not sure if they do anything else with it.

racer69 · 24 Jan 2003, 14:17 (Ref:484524)

I was in America in 1996, at Disney World, not sure about the date of the first ever IRL race, but i was in Florida around during the very late March-early April period.

I bought a matchbox Indycar painted in Walt Disney Indy 200 colours. I still have it as well.

marcus · 24 Jan 2003, 19:34 (Ref:484863)

"January 27th 1996 - The first IRL (Indy racing league) race was held at Walt Disney world speedway in Florida"

close racer , would have been nice to be there for the first one though

double00 · 17 Feb 2003, 05:59 (Ref:509170)

does anyone have a tape of the first IRL event @ WDW Speedway? I really need a copy.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
A World Champ ALWAYS rates over a non World Champ - Discuss	John Turner	Formula One	120	14 Aug 2005 21:42
Greetings From The Cruise Ship Disney Wonder	Team Owner	IRL Indycar Series	13	2 Nov 2004 07:33
Indy 200 at Disney...the first ever IRL race	Down F0rce	IRL Indycar Series	26	8 Feb 2004 09:35