rec.autos.simulators

TURNING THE PAGE: Paul Page is no longer the voice of the Indy 500, but he
knows exactly why the race isn't as popular as it used to be.

``When the split between the CART series and the IRL happened, fans started
taking sides and it really got ugly,'' said Page, who won't work the Indy 500
on May 30, after calling the race for the last 10 years for ABC. ``As a result,
they walked away from both.''

NASCAR picked up many of the disgruntled fans when the leagues split in 1996
and has been booming ever since.

Because the CART series and IRL want their own broadcasters and there are so
few IRL races on ABC, Page moved to the CART series. Bob Jenkins takes over his
play-by-play duties.

The Indy 500 had a 5.5 rating last year, the lowest mark on its regularly
scheduled day. In 1997, when it was delayed until Tuesday because of rain, the
race had a 5.0.

__

Put your message in a modem, and throw it in the ***-sea...
remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

Sad but true, I think.  This is something that the IRL and CART should
be addressing jointly.  

ABC is still in for the long-haul, though.  ABC Sports, broadcast home
of the Indianapolis 500 for nearly 35 years, has given the green light
to continued Indy Racing coverage, agreeing to a long-term partnership
with the Pep Boys Indy Racing League to carry all of the series' races
live on ABC Sports, ESPN or ESPN2.  

The multimillion-dollar broadcast partnership is the largest in Pep
Boys Indy Racing League history. The five-year deal gives ABC Sports
broadcast rights for the Indianapolis 500 and five other races, while
the remainder of the IRL events will be carried on either ESPN or
ESPN2.

-- JB

Anyways the idea that Indy is less than it was doesnt really hold up (in my
book).  I like that the local heroes like Kinser, Boat, Stewart, and the likes
are getting a shot at Indy.  Thats the way it used to be and i feel its the way
it should be.  Now if CART would use American driver instead of imports (Juan
who??) it would interrest me more.  This is the exact reason i hold little
interrest in F1 racing...no American drivers (Villenuve is the best we
got...and he got screwed).  I guess its a matter of opinion.  I think it gives
more drivers hope of someday making Indy without having a name like Andretti,
Unser, or being associated with Penske or one of the other hotshoes that own
cars (well Menard is still there but...).  Like i said....matter of opinion i
guess.

Chris

The main point is though, that a classic race like the Indy 500 should
feature the best drivers in the world, period. No one has any problem
with everybody having a shot at qualifying for the race - you could have
60 cars aiming for the 33 slots and everyone would be happy. The 500's
profile was never higher than when European F1 drivers would come over
and pit their skills against America's finest.

CART does feature many American drivers, but also many overseas drivers,
this gives the series far more respect on the world stage.

I think the CART/IRL split is the worst thing that has ever happened to
American open-wheel racing and can't wait for the day when the two series
fix their differences and combine. Only then will open-wheel be able to
compete with NASCAR for the public's attention.

Villeneuve is Canadian, BTW.

- Michael

Don McCorkle
Libertarian Motorsports

They also explained that Tony George is now letting that SI reporter
cover the Indy500. Apparently they originally turned down his PRESS
credentials because he wrote a negative story for Sports Illistrated
concerning the crash on May 1st which killed 3 people. Others
started boycotting the race in protest and would not be covering the
event. Indy relented and is now letting the SI reporter credentials.

way

The fact that some no-name like Billy Boat got the pole last year
sums up how screwed it really is. Then one of my washed up F1
heros (eddie Cheever) wins the race?!***that crap...

gives

Since Villenuve is Canadian he is not an american either. But, how exactly
did he get screwed???

I guess. It is a pretty screwed opinion (IMHO).

--

Header address intentionally scrambled to ward off the spamming hordes.

cisko [AT] ix [DOT] netcom [DOT] com

Now if the American drivers just would be better and faster than the
Juanwhos from South America, Europe, Japan or Down Under.
Americans seem to like competition only when they can beat it easily -
else they whine.

America is such a big market that every team and sponsor in any racing
series would like to have American drivers: lots of $ .
Bernie Ecclestone certainly would like to have an Andretti like the
1970s one, but certainly not an Andretti like the 1990s model, thanks.

The US motorsport might produce good riders of high powered bikes, but
as car drivers are concerned, they seem only to be able to turn left
at 200mph or guide a dragster to 300mph.

--
Matthias Flatt

Heh?  Do you not pay attention?  The 1990s CART Andretti model is the
current all time winningest driver in CART history and he's like 3rd I
believe all time.  Perhaps his skills are starting to diminish a bit
especially when CART has more and more very competive young drivers, but
give the guy a break.

Seems that Andretti, Unser and Vasser are the best we have...:)

Yes, it was the worst thing that happened to American open-wheel racing. But
in no way should the two series fix their differences and combine.    CART
has the history, the names, the legends.  It a very large corporate base and
a good sized fan base world-wide.  Equipment is good, varied track selection
is the best of any racing league.  What does IRL offer?  Equipment that
could not meet CART's more stringent rules.  About the only thing IRL offers
is an end to the open-wheel split and some perhaps ok American
drivers....oh, I suppose cost factor.  But then again, why would you want
just anyone to be able to field a race team that will be driving at speed of
around 200mph and above -- you don't.  If anything, IRL could just fold into
another feeder league like the Toyota Atlantic or IndyLIghts series....its
about on the same level.

Yup, that he is.

% Listen closely.....

% [whispering]

% Villeneuve is not an American....

And Canada is not in North America and come to think of it Mexico and
Brazil are not Americas either....

--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
     Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<[ /./.  [-  < ]>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

As always, thanks for that brilliant insight, Paul Page!

:-)

--Dave

Well, when I say combine, I would imagine that only 2 or 3 drivers from
IRL would be able to compete at the level of CART. And I agree - they
should use the CART rulebook.

One concession - they could have an Oval Drivers championship within the
series as well as an Overall CART champion.

- Michael

This post illustrates the largest part of the problem - IMS has not done an
adequate job of anticipating and managing how the series is perceived,
regardless of the product.

As far as CART's "legends," just who are they?  Now if you are talking about the
entire history of Indy/Championship racing, uhhh...how many "legends of CART"
did not build their legend at 16th and Georgetown?  What are "CART's more
stringent rules?"  The chassis are very similar (see April's Racer magazine
article).  CART's engines are turbocharged.  The IRL's aren't.  The gearboxes
are different.  That's different - not conforming to some "more stringent"
standard.  Your point on the fan-base is also weak.  In reality, both the IRL
and CART fan bases have dwindled.

Yes,  the IRL and IMS have issues - many of which they have given themselves.
They have their hand full with dealing with public opinion, especially when the
public posts half-truths like this.  Do your homework on this one, Chris.  Now,
I'll see you later.  I have to head over to 16th & Georgetown to watch practice
for what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive Indy 500's
top-to-bottom in history.  I'll meet you there sometime and buy you a track dog.
:-)

Jim