The red pill

[The Snout]

http://www.speedtv.com/commentary/34678/

[climb]

Originally Posted by The Snout

http://www.speedtv.com/commentary/34678/

As usual CC-fan journalists shoot at IRL's real problems to ridicoulously hide CC's ones.

Really does CC have a lot of cars in the grid? And a few stars driving?
Can justin Wilson be considered a star?

Accusing IRL of prohibitive costs is clearly unfair: engine duration and chassis freeze have significantly diminished costs for teams in the last two years, whereas CC, with new cars to buy will be far more expensive. Of course a new chassis is an element of interest but certailnly not a way to save money.

As we say in Italy, if IRL cry, CC doesn't laugh.

[D.R.T.]

I dont really know much about the journo, how do you know he is a CC fan?

[Alex K]

How many signed drivers does Champ Car has :
How many fully backed teams does CC has :
I don't rate PT as bigger star or better driver than Haornish Jr., Castroneves, Wheldon, Dixon, etc.
Still IRL has confirmed full 2007 schedule, CC is still dreaming about Europe, knowing they don't have cash to do it.

[enemy-ace]

Uh. I seriously don't think Marshall Pruett is a Champ Car guy. His bio seems more SPEED GT and Touring related.

[drewdawg727]

Champ Car is in a reconstruction period...they have a future in store for them. Does the IRL have a future spelt out for them right now?

[Alex K]

Brighter than Champ Car, TG doesn't dream about Europe, still has Penske, Andretti, Ganassi, number of backers under his wing... Period.

[enemy-ace]

Originally Posted by Alex K

... Period.

Unfortunately neither series is in a position to put a 'period' on their status within the racing world. Seems more like a run-on sentence really.
To argue over which series has the advantage over the other is like arguing over who's girlfriend is the least ugly.

[BootsOntheSide]

ChampCar looks in the stronger position of the two at the moment, with a likely field of 18-22 cars, talented drivers from all over the world, and a future direction mapped out. The IRL is stuck in the same position of 2006 - a single engine and chassis due to others pulling out rather than by design, established teams dropping out, two teams dominating at the front, no real stars behind them bar Kanaan and perhaps Meira.

All the same, it's not wise for a championship to make too much of its disadvantages. There are plenty of positives for the IRL to maximise, and plenty of things which could go right in future,

[luke]

I'm not going to say anything other then watch Champ car in 2007 and IRL and see the difference in how much things have changed over the months and years steadily, be it driver talent throughout the field, car entrants, stability, global expansion etc.

[Kieran20]

One of te big things that is keeping the IRL alive is the indy 500, IRL is in no way dead, but TG needs to pull his finger out soon if he wants his series to survive, champ car are improving their series and have a new car next year. IRL nothing has changed, apart from the fact that there are many more road courses, which defines the point of the IRL being an oval series. i dont see much of a future for the IRL, sure they have some decent teams, but i would be suprised if they left.

[jhansen]

I can't comment on much, as neither holds much of my attention anymore. But I will say that chastising the IRL for running a dated car is a bit silly. How long did Champcar carry on with the same car-engine combo?

[Alex K]

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

no real stars behind them bar Kanaan and perhaps Meira.

OH MY GOD Jesus Maria. D'you know names like Hornish, Castroneves, Wheldon, Dixon, Manning ?

[D.R.T.]

Not meaning to be argumentative, but a few here seem to be more focused on CC than problems that face the IRL. I am not saying CC is rosey or anything like but those who are trying overlook any problem the IRL has because "CC has them too" isn't a good or effective way to improve things.

[baclightning]

Originally Posted by climb

Can justin Wilson be considered a star?

Yes. Next question?

[macdaddy]

enemy-ace:

To argue over which series has the advantage over the other is like arguing over who's girlfriend is the least ugly.

D.R.T:

...those who are trying overlook any problem the IRL has because "CC has them too" isn't a good or effective way to improve things.

[BootsOntheSide]

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

two teams dominating at the front, no real stars behind them bar Kanaan and perhaps Meira.

Alex, I'm well aware that Penske and Ganassi have 2 star drivers each. Try reading what I post before responding.

[climb]

Originally Posted by baclightning

Yes. Next question?

If you consider Justin Wilson a star, then CC is filled with stars, as well as Formula Renaul Monza, FF 1600 etc...

[climb]

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

ChampCar looks in the stronger position of the two at the moment, with a likely field of 18-22 cars, talented drivers from all over the world, and a future direction mapped out. The IRL is stuck in the same position of 2006 - a single engine and chassis due to others pulling out rather than by design, established teams dropping out, two teams dominating at the front, no real stars behind them bar Kanaan and perhaps Meira.

All the same, it's not wise for a championship to make too much of its disadvantages. There are plenty of positives for the IRL to maximise, and plenty of things which could go right in future,

For once Boots, I don't agree with you.

About the supposed talented drivers , well I'll wait for the incoming season to see some; and about dominant teams in IRL, well, just count the teams in condition to fight for the title in 2006:

IRL: Ganassi, Penske, Andretti, and a real competition inside these teams
CC: Newman-Haas
F1: Renault,Ferrari (with no competition inside these teams)


Just to enlarge the comparison:
BF3: Double R, Carlin
EuroF3: ASM, Manor

Among the major open wheel series, IRL is by lightyears the most competitive, and I expect things to stay more or less the same for 2007

[Mystery]

The only reason N-H are dominating CC the way they are is because Bourdais belongs in F1. And besides this season Forsythe and RuSport have been right up there. It was a shame to lose Allmendinger but dollars speak louder than words sometimes.

I think IRL and CCWS will be about equally competetive this year. IRL will no doubt have some great racing especially if AGR get their act together a bit more this season.

However, so should CCWS - Bourdais did not have it all his own way last year. Wilson, Allmendinger and Tracy all had the legs of him on occasion. Philippe and Clarke (fingers crossed) should be ones to watch because Keith Wiggins knows how to run a successful team and they have both proven themselves to be blindingly quick on occasion.

For the future I do have brighter hopes for CCWS because the organisers feel they know the way forward and are on the right path and aren't afraid to talk about it. For the IRL it either feels it is where it needs to be (surely not!) or TG is just not being particularly open about his plans - but why should he be really!

Personally, I'll be watching both with great interest.

[Snips1]

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

ChampCar looks in the stronger position of the two at the moment, with a likely field of 18-22 cars, talented drivers from all over the world, and a future direction mapped out. The IRL is stuck in the same position of 2006 - a single engine and chassis due to others pulling out rather than by design, established teams dropping out, two teams dominating at the front, no real stars behind them bar Kanaan and perhaps Meira.

All the same, it's not wise for a championship to make too much of its disadvantages. There are plenty of positives for the IRL to maximise, and plenty of things which could go right in future,

D-A-N-I-C-A P-A-T-R-I-C-K

[paul-collins]

Originally Posted by climb

For once Boots, I don't agree with you.

About the supposed talented drivers , well I'll wait for the incoming season to see some; and about dominant teams in IRL, well, just count the teams in condition to fight for the title in 2006:

IRL: Ganassi, Penske, Andretti, and a real competition inside these teams
CC: Newman-Haas
F1: Renault,Ferrari (with no competition inside these teams)

Unfair, climb, as Forsythe was in it once Allmendinger showed his form.

[Mystery]

Originally Posted by Snips1

D-A-N-I-C-A P-A-T-R-I-C-K

Could perhaps expand a touch on your comment

FWIW I don't believe Danica is a positive for the IRL any longer - she's just another driver in the series. When (if) she starts winning races then I'll be interested but even the TV companies got fed up of showing her battles for 18th place last year so she's got to progress now if she wants the world to take notice.

[climb]

Originally Posted by paul-collins

Unfair, climb, as Forsythe was in it once Allmendinger showed his form.

IMHO it turned out to be nothing more than a paper fire, seb's empteenth title was never at risk, with the winner marking 30% more points than the runner-up.

For the records, the IRL final standings, the winner had the same points of the runner-up.

[luke]

Some unfair comments to say the least and no dis respect to anyone especially climb but I don't agree with you're saying mate...

We all thoughT the IRL would struggle to field 13 cars, a bit unfair as by March yet again they would probably find 17 or along those lines. But they are being filled up with un talented drivers. Midiscure to say the least.
And as pointed out, to say everything is all rosey and Champ Car has loads of problems maybe you should look at your own...

The difference Champ Car is attracting big names. Many from Europe. Many GP2 drivers, F3 etc. Even ex F1 team Minardi have made the plunge and Paul said on Autosport it wouldn't be impossible for another f1 team and not as unlikely as it may seem to some.

Champ Car has many new teams, look at what the difference the new car has made, there should be for the first time in a long time, consistently ever 20 cars. The building blocks since 2004 are now starting to show.

Champ Car has only one star team? You'll see many new teams and stars born this year with the more competitive chassis with less adjustments allowed. Some great and good talent from Europe, just look at the names this year in Champ Car from the front to the back of the field. Do the same with the IRL, then you'll see what I'm talking about.

The IRL has four big teams? They are good teams but they are all running old Honda engines as is the whole field. And old Dallaras...Lets not forget they are all ex Champ Car teams (which defines the original point of the IRL IMHO) before they fled for the money etc..And as mentioned they will stay in the IRL.