Paul Page on Indy

I'm sure most of us agree with this:from AP on AOL --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

Ok im confused...I thought IRL had a deal with FOX Sports to cover theyre races? 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

>Paul Page is no longer the voice of the Indy 500 >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. Wonderfull news, now I'm looking forward to watching. If we could get him off the CART races, life would be much better. Don McCorkle Libertarian Motorsports

>Ok im confused...I thought IRL had a deal with FOX Sports to cover theyre >races? The Chicago Tribune had an article about this very thing in today's issue. ABC will cover the Indy500 until the year 2004 at a cost of $13-$14 Million per year. 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. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<[ /./. [- < ]>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

No offense, but like THIS is a real freaking news flash.... As always, thanks for that brilliant insight, Paul Page! :-) --Dave

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>I'm sure most of us agree with this:from AP on AOL >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- >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.

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> % 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....

Am I the only one that got the implied reference that JV being Canadian is the closest to being in the USA that there is right now in F1?

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

Hi Karissa, I can't get your web page anymore, did you take it down? JM

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> > % 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.... > Am I the only one that got the implied reference that JV being Canadian is > the closest to being in the USA that there is right now in F1?

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

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> > 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. > 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. > > Villeneuve is Canadian, BTW. > Yup, that he is.

IMS doesn't know how to market or manage it seems. They didn't have to until CART left Indy as it was a big draw. CART legends would be anyone that could qualify for legendary status that raced within the CART guidelines...so that would be Al Unser, Mario Andretti, Emmo, Roger Mears, etc. <chuckles> Actually the "fan-base" argument is NOT weak. Perhaps the fan-base within the US has dwindled for CART, but the fan base across the world is growing. <shrugs> No matter what, CART's fan base is still larger than IRL's by a good chunk of change. Similar in design does not mean that the IRL chassis would meet CART guidelines (not taking into account dimensions). Half-truths? Or opinions. I'll consider them opinions, since your post had no more validity in full-truth than mine did. And public opinon would not swing against them if they had more credibility but considering the numberous screw-ups they've had I'm surprised it hasn't swung even more against them. track dog. <rolls his eyes> Competive with whom? Yeah, it will go down in history as once again one of the biggest flops in racing history. Not to mention it will have a nice little black spot buy it as the an Indy500 that almost didn't get any media coverage due to IMS "playing" at censorship. Btw, let me know how much a ticket is running on the street, maybe I'll wander over on Memorial weekend and buy a dozen or so. :?

Why? Then you would need a Road Drivers championship. Besides, its sorta silly....CART is built in such a way you need to be able to master all forms of the different track types in order to win the CART Championship. This is how it should be.

> Seems that Andretti, Unser and Vasser are the best we have...:) And all along I thought it was Billy Boat. Damn. ;) Personally I cant wait to see the highlights of the Indy 500 where the announcers say: "This capacity crowd is on its feet..." and the camera scans across the bleechers and everyone is just sitting there. ROFLMAO I remember when CNNSI showed that last year and the sportscaster were busting on them for saying that. Then again.. what do you expect from the IRL and all 12 of its fans ;) <G> Scott PA-Scott -- Scott B. Husted ICQ# 4395450

>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. I wish I was old enough to REMEMBER the late 60's races... :) __ Put your message in a modem, and throw it in the ***-sea... remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

>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... Just curious - How did you feel when Teo Fabi won the pole? He was almost a no-name at the time... Eldred __ Put your message in a modem, and throw it in the ***-sea... remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

>Just curious - How did you feel when Teo Fabi won the pole? He was almost a >no-name at the time... He was in fact ex F1. Not quite a no name. Maybe a no name in the US but he was a back marker in F1 for quite some time. -- Header address intentionally scrambled to ward off the spamming hordes. cisko [AT] ix [DOT] netcom [DOT] com

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> >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. > I wish I was old enough to REMEMBER the late 60's races... :)

Me too - I wish they'd captured more on film so we could watch them now! - Michael

Who cares what country a driver is born in, what should matter is their driving talent and bravery not whether they're "Uhhmericun" or "Furriners" (as that so elegant IRL buffoon A.J.Foyt calls them) And anyways that kind of jingoistic stupidity that some of the IRL supporters spout hasn't kept "Furriners" like Lyendik (sp?), Brack and Moreno from beating some of those "Local Boys" in the IRL so far. Personally I would love to see CART show up at Indy and have that "imported" Juan Pablo Montoya run laps around those "local boys". Racing drivers earn my respect based on merit not on nationality or even what racing series they compete in. Right now the Indy500 is an embarrassment to a once great tradition. Seeyas on the track. --John (Joao) Silva

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>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

> CART legends would be anyone that could qualify for legendary status that > raced within the CART guidelines...so that would be Al Unser, Mario > Andretti, Emmo, Roger Mears, etc. Again, you illustrate your ignorance. <music on>...one of these things is not like the other....<music off>. Regardless, you illustrate my point. Without Indy, these names would mean somewhat less, particularly Unser and <that would be Rick> Mears . If you are implying that Indy ran ever under CART rules during this era, you are simply wrong. Neither has a great fan base and both have poor TV ratings. Ask Andrew Craig if he's proud of CART's TV ratings. Nor would a CART chassis meet IRL guidelines. ;-) Yes, the IRL has made big mistakes that have contributed to their image. See my original point. I'm not sure how a race with 350,000 in attendance and a 5+ TV rating is a flop. Yep, IMS was wrong to attempt to censor. Naaah...why don't you spend the weekend with that CART legend, Roger Mears. Does Michael Jordan have a brother? ;-) Jim

There will never be a reconcilliation between Cart and IRL as long as Tony George has control of the IMS. The man is an idiot. This whole brooha started because the boy wonder felt he wasn't being treated with enough respect by CART owners. Uh huh. Unlike race tracks, respect is earned, not inherited. Without his band of advisors-who convinced him to seek NASCAR and F1 sanctioned events-George would have already run the Speedway straight to the egde of financial disaster. He may still get the job done if he continues to***off the networks, Time Warner and Sports Illustrated. I'll bey Tony Hulman is spinning in his grave. Shame on you, George, you half witted, arrogant, incompetent shithead!!!! P.S. Wasn't Indy great? There were almsot as many wrecks in the pits as there were on the track. Oh well, at leat they didn't kill any spectators this year. And hey, that suspension impact retaining system really works. Great! Maybe they ought to add traing wheels and throttle governors too.

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>There will never be a reconcilliation between Cart and IRL as long as >Tony George has control of the IMS. The man is an idiot. This whole >brooha started because the boy wonder felt he wasn't being treated with >enough respect by CART owners. Uh huh. Unlike race tracks, respect is >earned, not inherited. Without his band of advisors-who convinced him to >seek NASCAR and F1 sanctioned events-George would have already run the >Speedway straight to the egde of financial disaster. He may still get >the job done if he continues to***off the networks, Time Warner and >Sports Illustrated. I'll bey Tony Hulman is spinning in his grave. Shame >on you, George, you half witted, arrogant, incompetent shithead!!!! >P.S. Wasn't Indy great? There were almsot as many wrecks in the pits as >there were on the track. Oh well, at leat they didn't kill any >spectators this year. And hey, that suspension impact retaining system >really works. Great! Maybe they ought to add traing wheels and throttle >governors too.

You apparently meant to post this in the rec.autos.sport.indy newsgroup, because your post has nothing to do with race sims, and therefore has no place in the rec.autos.simulations newsgroup. If you did indeed mean to post this message here, then I'm sure everybody appreciates your efforts to keep us informed -- and hopefully they'll take the time to properly shower you with their gratitude. -- John Bodin Publisher, The IRL Insider Magazine http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/ P.S. Yes, Indy was great -- there were only 8 caution flags for a total of 42 laps (out of 200 total); that means that 21% of the race was run under yellow. Saturday's Motorola 300 CART race, on the other hand, featured 9 yellows for a total of 72 laps (out of 236 total), which means that 30.5% of the CART race was run under yellow. Was one race better than the other? That's all a matter of opinion and preference -- both were great races, and I personally felt that this year's 500 was the most exciting in a long time, with a real nail-biter finish (EVERYBODY in the stands was on their feet for the last 5 laps). As for your incredibly insensitive remark about fan fatalities, need I remind you of the '98 CART season?

funny...but I bet alot of people are of the same opinion as him........because he speaks the truth....and as you stated in your post...you have a bias.....what's wrong?..doesnt IRL have a newsgroup or is it because no one would subscribe???

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> >There will never be a reconcilliation between Cart and IRL as long as > >Tony George has control of the IMS. The man is an idiot. This whole > >brooha started because the boy wonder felt he wasn't being treated with > >enough respect by CART owners. Uh huh. Unlike race tracks, respect is > >earned, not inherited. Without his band of advisors-who convinced him to > >seek NASCAR and F1 sanctioned events-George would have already run the > >Speedway straight to the egde of financial disaster. He may still get > >the job done if he continues to***off the networks, Time Warner and > >Sports Illustrated. I'll bey Tony Hulman is spinning in his grave. Shame > >on you, George, you half witted, arrogant, incompetent shithead!!!! > >P.S. Wasn't Indy great? There were almsot as many wrecks in the pits as > >there were on the track. Oh well, at leat they didn't kill any > >spectators this year. And hey, that suspension impact retaining system > >really works. Great! Maybe they ought to add traing wheels and throttle > >governors too. > You apparently meant to post this in the rec.autos.sport.indy > newsgroup, because your post has nothing to do with race sims, and > therefore has no place in the rec.autos.simulations newsgroup. If you > did indeed mean to post this message here, then I'm sure everybody > appreciates your efforts to keep us informed -- and hopefully they'll > take the time to properly shower you with their gratitude. > -- John Bodin > Publisher, The IRL Insider Magazine > http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/ > P.S. Yes, Indy was great -- there were only 8 caution flags for a > total of 42 laps (out of 200 total); that means that 21% of the race > was run under yellow. Saturday's Motorola 300 CART race, on the other > hand, featured 9 yellows for a total of 72 laps (out of 236 total), > which means that 30.5% of the CART race was run under yellow. Was one > race better than the other? That's all a matter of opinion and > preference -- both were great races, and I personally felt that this > year's 500 was the most exciting in a long time, with a real > nail-biter finish (EVERYBODY in the stands was on their feet for the > last 5 laps). As for your incredibly insensitive remark about fan > fatalities, need I remind you of the '98 CART season?

How about treating the smaller media people better as well. I had the good fortune to visit Indy with media credentials back in '93. We got there to find that there was a mix up. Rather than simply working with myself and the cameraman, these clowns gave us bare bones access (read: nowhere). Thank goodness someone from Pennzoil handed some tickets around and we got two. Couldn't shoot anything, but at least we saw the race. This "holier than thou" attitude from IMS has darkened my opinion of the whole "spectacle" and I have since refused to attend. Shame on you, IMS. Glenn

And funny too, that a lot of people agree with John. And they DO have a newsgroup, rec.autos.sport.indy . There aren't seperate CART and IRL newsgroups, both use that one. Notice something ironic. John has an opinion, and it's his "obvious bias". You and the other poster have an opinion, and you "speak the truth". Seems to me he didn't say anything negative about CART or it's race. He can enjoy a race if HE wants to and doesn't need your or anyone elses approval. I think I see who has a bias, and it ain't John Bodin..... And, in regards to his original statement, this stuff IS OFF TOPIC HERE. Take it to the newsgroup he informed y'all about and USE THAT ONE. The end. -- Ken's Sig 3.0 "Who is the more foolish? The fool, or the fool who follows him?" - Obi-Wan Kenobi Go #43 and #44! volksy (at) geocities (dot) com volksy (at) yahoo (dot) com >funny...but I bet alot of people are of the same opinion as >him........because he speaks the truth....and as you stated in your >post...you have a bias.....what's wrong?..doesnt IRL have a newsgroup or >is it because no one would subscribe???

I had the good fortune to visit Indy PERIOD in '93 :) I was 9 yrs old!! I had a blast!! Shoot Tony George and get the CART drivers back, and I'll pay my own way this time! :) -- Kirk Lane ICQ: 28171652 RMRL #119 >How about treating the smaller media people better as well. >I had the good fortune to visit Indy with media credentials back in '93. We >got there to find that there was a mix up. Rather than simply working with >myself and the cameraman, these clowns gave us bare bones access (read: >nowhere). Thank goodness someone from Pennzoil handed some tickets around >and we got two. Couldn't shoot anything, but at least we saw the race. >This "holier than thou" attitude from IMS has darkened my opinion of the >whole "spectacle" and I have since refused to attend. >Shame on you, IMS. >Glenn

Off topic? May I point out, Mr. Bodin, that my message was in reply to a previously posted communication in this group. No one objected to the original being here because the CART/IRL fracas DIRECTLY affects the development of every sim planned in the genre. I would also ask you to scan the group for subjet matter; you'll find about 10% meet your definition of inappropriate material. That's 750 additional sinners who need salvation. As for my observation about fan fatalities, there was nothing irreverent about it. "Insensitivity" has quickly become one of those buzz words that has been so abused that it has lost all meaning. What I consider inexcusable is exposing unprotected observers to bits flying off 230 mph missles driven by incompetent amateurs. Before you criticse me for that last remark, believe me when I say that there are a great many talented IRL drivers who could hold their own in any type of racing, bar none. Trouble is, there just aren't enough of them. A few notable people share my opinion, including Robby Gordon and Arie Luyendyke. As for the much touted restoration of the League's All American aspect, I'm glad to see a home grown Yankee by the name of Kenny Breck get his likeness soldered to the Borg Warner trophy. Isn't Sweden somewhere in Nebraska? I live within a forty minute drive of the Speedway, and have the honor of knowing many of the stewards, officals and even a few drivers. George's reign of terror has impacted every one of them. Nobody likes what he's doing (except A.J.Foyt), but organized resistance can hardly be expected when one considers the tactics T.G. uses. If you doubt me, just ask Carl Hughness. In closing, let me state that I do not bear you, or any other IRL fan hard feelings. You have right to support whom you please. I also apologize for calling T.G. names. That's not acceptable behavior in a civil society, and I'll make this my last missive concerning auto racing's tragic civil war. Now, to keep things narrowly "on topic," let me finish by saying I've just seen some screen shots of World Circuit 3, and they're fantastic! Given Geoff Crammond's past record, you'll probably need a 400 mhz Pentium 2 with 64 megs of ram to run the thing at a decent frame rate, but it'll be worth it.

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>Off topic? May I point out, Mr. Bodin, that my message was in reply to a >previously posted communication in this group. No one objected to >the original being here because the CART/IRL fracas DIRECTLY affects the >development of every sim planned in the genre. I would also ask you to >scan the group for subjet matter; you'll find about 10% meet your >definition of inappropriate material. That's 750 additional sinners who >need salvation. >As for my observation about fan fatalities, there was nothing irreverent >about it. "Insensitivity" has quickly become one of those buzz words >that has been so abused that it has lost all meaning. What I consider >inexcusable is exposing unprotected observers to bits flying off 230 mph >missles driven by incompetent amateurs. Before you criticse me for that >last remark, believe me when I say that there are a great many talented >IRL drivers who could hold their own in any type of racing, bar none. >Trouble is, there just aren't enough of them. A few notable people share >my opinion, including Robby Gordon and Arie Luyendyke. As for the much >touted restoration of the League's All American aspect, I'm glad to see >a home grown Yankee by the name of Kenny Breck get his likeness soldered >to the Borg Warner trophy. Isn't Sweden somewhere in Nebraska? >I live within a forty minute drive of the Speedway, and have the honor >of knowing many of the stewards, officals and even a few drivers. >George's reign of terror has impacted every one of them. Nobody likes >what he's doing (except A.J.Foyt), but organized resistance can hardly >be expected when one considers the tactics T.G. uses. If you doubt me, >just ask Carl Hughness. >In closing, let me state that I do not bear you, or any other IRL fan >hard feelings. You have right to support whom you please. I also >apologize for calling T.G. names. That's not acceptable behavior in a >civil society, and I'll make this my last missive concerning auto >racing's tragic civil war. >Now, to keep things narrowly "on topic," let me finish by saying I've >just seen some screen shots of World Circuit 3, and they're fantastic! >Given Geoff Crammond's past record, you'll probably need a 400 mhz >Pentium 2 with 64 megs of ram to run the thing at a decent frame rate, >but it'll be worth it.

Well, I don't advocate being "narrow," but I've been very guilty myself of making IRL/CART posts here that are really more suitable for the RASI newsgroup, and I hate to see this forum become just another battleground. Here, we're all sim racing fans who presumably share a love of motorsports in whatever various form we prefer -- elsewhere we can argue our views about particular series, but this forum is about sims, which are really games, which should be fun. Now, as for the "on-topic" portion of your post (thanks for getting us back on-track again, BTW!), GP3 sounds great. I've been afraid it will be too hardware-intensive, like GP2 was (who really wants to have to buy a PIII-550 just for a new game?), but if the basic requirement is a 400 MHz PII, then more people should find it accessible, which is great! -- JB

That would be an improvement - with my P2 450, I still can't turn on all graphics and stay at <= 100% occupancy with GP2. BTW, can you share the location you saw the screenshots? Please, please, please, ... Brian > Now, to keep things narrowly "on topic," let me finish by saying I've > just seen some screen shots of World Circuit 3, and they're fantastic! > Given Geoff Crammond's past record, you'll probably need a 400 mhz > Pentium 2 with 64 megs of ram to run the thing at a decent frame rate, > but it'll be worth it.

Let's hope Geoff takes good advantage of 3D acceleration for this one.... -- Ken's Sig 3.0 "Who is the more foolish? The fool, or the fool who follows him?" - Obi-Wan Kenobi Go #43 and #44! volksy (at) geocities (dot) com volksy (at) yahoo (dot) com >That would be an improvement - with my P2 450, I still can't turn on all >graphics and stay at <= 100% occupancy with GP2. >BTW, can you share the location you saw the screenshots? Please, please, >please, ... >Brian >> Now, to keep things narrowly "on topic," let me finish by saying I've >> just seen some screen shots of World Circuit 3, and they're fantastic! >> Given Geoff Crammond's past record, you'll probably need a 400 mhz >> Pentium 2 with 64 megs of ram to run the thing at a decent frame rate, >> but it'll be worth it.

On Sat, 5 Jun 1999 12:26:40 -0400, "Ken Beard" >Let's hope Geoff takes good advantage of 3D acceleration for this one.... That's going to be the key to making GP3 work on today's systems. GP2 looked so good in the pre-3D hardware era, I can't wait to see what they come up with given today's technology! -- JB

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>Ken's Sig 3.0 >"Who is the more foolish? The fool, or the fool who follows him?" - Obi-Wan >Kenobi >Go #43 and #44! >volksy (at) geocities (dot) com >volksy (at) yahoo (dot) com >>That would be an improvement - with my P2 450, I still can't turn on all >>graphics and stay at <= 100% occupancy with GP2. >>BTW, can you share the location you saw the screenshots? Please, please, >>please, ... >>Brian >>> Now, to keep things narrowly "on topic," let me finish by saying I've >>> just seen some screen shots of World Circuit 3, and they're fantastic! >>> Given Geoff Crammond's past record, you'll probably need a 400 mhz >>> Pentium 2 with 64 megs of ram to run the thing at a decent frame rate, >>> but it'll be worth it.

Brian: Micropose DK (their German site) posted two pictures purporting to be from GP3. When I went back to check the URL, I found that they were no longer there. I don't know whether this should be taken as a good sign or not. GP2 was delayed almost ten months because of technical problems. I hope history isn't repeating itself. The good news is that the game will support the VooDoo2 chipset for full 3D effects. It will also include a paint progarm. The calendar\cars will be based on the 97 season, and will include a pace car. Force feedback will also be supported. Minimum requirements were given as a 200 mhz pentium, Win9+ DirectX with no mention of memory needs, but you can bet it should go at least 32. If everything goes according to plan, the game should hit the store shelves sometime in October, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Crammond is a perfectionist who loathes patches. Good for him.

The same happened with the press release. It was there at one point and then the next day the link had been removed from the news page. However the page does still exist on their server. --------- http://www.grandprix1.com - Everything for Microprose F1GP http://www.gp3.org - The Grand Prix 3 Site http://www.racinglinks.net - Racing Sim Banner Exchange

> ... > The good news is that the game will support the VooDoo2 chipset for full > 3D effects. How can this be good news? Voodoo 2 is hardly cutting edge anymore. Will it be a glide only game ?!!??!? TF

>Let's hope Geoff takes good advantage of 3D acceleration for this one.... >-- >Ken's Sig 3.0 I'm a bit leery. Isn't GP2 coded in Assembly(a machine level language) I don't think the current batch of 3d accelerators work with assembly code. I seem to remember the F22 II flight sim that was also an assembly product and they claimed they couldn't use the 3d accel because of that. anyone with a real clue?? (unlike me :> )

Well, I bought an AMD K6-2 350 just for GPL, but I hope to be buying a hous this year, so the PIII-550 will have to wait... :-) Eldred __ Put your message in a modem, and throw it in the ***-sea... remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

Hi Torgeir. Ikke mange her fra Norge. :D Regarding the Glide only option. GP3 is most likly to be based on Directx technology. I guess the minimum requirements on 3D cards will be a Voodoo2. There is still no information if they are going to suport GLIDE. It would be most doubtfull. It would be alot of extra time to optimize the game for one spesific 3D accl. Regards Radnor

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> > ... > > The good news is that the game will support the VooDoo2 chipset for full > > 3D effects. > How can this be good news? Voodoo 2 is hardly cutting edge anymore. Will it > be a glide only game ?!!??!? > TF