What is a Champ Car?

[¡As-de-mim!]

If you ever need to get someone up to speed quickly on what Champ Cars are, send them to this site. IMO, it's pretty good.

http://www.howstuffworks.com/champ-car.htm

[Russfeld]

Or just tell them its an Indycar and they'll instantly know what it is.

[¡As-de-mim!]

And now with the most famous words in motorsports, Ms. Mari Hulman George..."Drivers....start your crapwagons."

[Russfeld]

An Indy/Champcar is a **** wagon compared to a Grand Prix machine. In some areas it has less technology than a Le Mans winning car. Its all relative.

[¡As-de-mim!]

I agree, so why should I tell them that it is something which is it not?

[Russfeld]

Because the differences between an oval Champcar and an IRL car are neglible at best. The more you guys try to **** on each other series, the more you're going to alienate the new fans you're trying to impress

[f1manoz]

A CHAMPCAR is not an INDYCAR... An INDYCAR is a CRAPWAGON that the IRL uses. They look completely different and the machinery is not identical.

Forget bull**** relatism. CART is no longer anyway associated with INDYCAR. So why say the cars are?

[Russfeld]

Because whether you like it or not, thats where the public heritage is. They were and are the cars that race at Indianapolis. Thats what put them into public prominence. Who knows what a Champcar is? A lot of people i know dont even know what an F1 car is. But ive never met anyone who didnt know what an Indycar is. And you wont ever change that. Because Indy's been around for 90 years, and CART has barely been around for 20

[¡As-de-mim!]

I understand what you are saying, but as of Monday or Tuesday, it is no longer PC (or legal) to refer to Champ Cars as IndyCars; and since the two series are going their separates ways and creating their own identities, we need not refer to Champs Cars as IndyCars.

[¡As-de-mim!]

The Champs Cars have been around since the the USAC days, the current IndyCars have nothing to do with the 90 year heritage of Indianapolis.

[Flatspot]

Originally posted by Russfeld

They were and are the cars that race at Indianapolis.

The operative word here is "were"..."and are" is simply a misstatement. The IRL, NASCAR & F1 now drive at Indy, none of which are ChampCars.

Heritage is a fluid thing. 90 years from now what will the heritage of ChampCars look like?

I agree that the average joe doesn't know the differences between the cars and if they were shown any open wheel, winged car they are likely to call it an IndyCar. It makes sense to me however to take the time with anyone who bothered to ask what a ChampCar is, to educate them correctly. They're not your average joe.