The 2012 IndyCar Series thread

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 11 Oct 2012, 02:07

Ferrarist wrote:Does anyone know something about the rumours of a potential Mugello race in 2013? http://www.omnicorse.it/magazine/22101/ ... onato-2013

A race in Italy would only make sense if they have a top-line Italian driver, or an Italian manufacturer involved with IndyCar. IndyCar has neither in the moment...

Speed is reporting it too, but remember, SRT sponsored the Baltimore race this year. SRT is owned by Dodge... who is owned by Fiat. Dodge recently pulled out of NASCAR and I have heard a few things about a Dodge Cosworth, but none recently.

Make of that what you will.

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 11 Oct 2012, 21:16

Cynon wrote:
Ferrarist wrote:Does anyone know something about the rumours of a potential Mugello race in 2013? http://www.omnicorse.it/magazine/22101/ ... onato-2013

A race in Italy would only make sense if they have a top-line Italian driver, or an Italian manufacturer involved with IndyCar. IndyCar has neither in the moment...

Speed is reporting it too, but remember, SRT sponsored the Baltimore race this year. SRT is owned by Dodge... who is owned by Fiat. Dodge recently pulled out of NASCAR and I have heard a few things about a Dodge Cosworth, but none recently.

Make of that what you will.

IF this happens, please, PLEASE, PLEASE make it a European double-header with either Brands Hatch or Rockingham Motor Speedway... After all, Dario Franchitti, a multiple series champion, is British, as was the late Dan Wheldon (RIP). Dan Wheldon Memorial Cup Race?

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 11 Oct 2012, 21:21

dr-baker wrote:
Cynon wrote:
Ferrarist wrote:Does anyone know something about the rumours of a potential Mugello race in 2013? http://www.omnicorse.it/magazine/22101/ ... onato-2013

A race in Italy would only make sense if they have a top-line Italian driver, or an Italian manufacturer involved with IndyCar. IndyCar has neither in the moment...

Speed is reporting it too, but remember, SRT sponsored the Baltimore race this year. SRT is owned by Dodge... who is owned by Fiat. Dodge recently pulled out of NASCAR and I have heard a few things about a Dodge Cosworth, but none recently.

Make of that what you will.

IF this happens, please, PLEASE, PLEASE make it a European double-header with either Brands Hatch or Rockingham Motor Speedway... After all, Dario Franchitti, a multiple series champion, is British, as was the late Dan Wheldon (RIP). Dan Wheldon Memorial Cup Race?

I'd be fine with Brands Hatch if they used the full circuit, the "Indy" layout was really bad, even though it gave Bourdais his first win...

Rockingham would be more interesting, it's one of the more unique oval tracks in the world.

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 11 Oct 2012, 21:25

Cynon wrote:
dr-baker wrote:IF this happens, please, PLEASE, PLEASE make it a European double-header with either Brands Hatch or Rockingham Motor Speedway... After all, Dario Franchitti, a multiple series champion, is British, as was the late Dan Wheldon (RIP). Dan Wheldon Memorial Cup Race?

I'd be fine with Brands Hatch if they used the full circuit, the "Indy" layout was really bad, even though it gave Bourdais his first win...

Rockingham would be more interesting, it's one of the more unique oval tracks in the world.

I said Brands because I was there at the Champ Car race when SeeBass won. Apt if IndyCar then raced there too. But Rockingham really ought to be the British home of 21st Century IndyCar racing...

nome66 · Post by **nome66** » 11 Oct 2012, 21:30

Does anyone have an e-mail address of someone who works with,or better, IS someone at the top of IndyCzar management?
they really could use a race in britain or australia if Franchitti and Power are to be marketed as rivals.
most of IndyCar's current roster have been round Surfer's in the past so the racing will be close.

golic_2004 · Post by **golic_2004** » 15 Oct 2012, 23:41

Phoenix wrote:
Cynon wrote:Narain Karthikeyan is interested in IndyCar;

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ ... switch/P2/

He should. No matter how you regard it, it will surely be a move up, and he can't be worse than Milka Duno, can he?

He did quite decent in NASCAR, so why can't he do good in Indycar. Everyone in America loves him over here.

Aerospeed · Post by **Aerospeed** » 15 Oct 2012, 23:45

Karthikeyan needs to keep up his Top-5 average in Indy!

nome66 · Post by **nome66** » 16 Oct 2012, 01:38

what we REALLY need is an IndyCar race on Brands' full circuit. not that ungodly short bout they wrongfully dubbed "indy".
what Brands needs is more angry Hondas!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJhwdy-J14A

Klon · Post by **Klon** » 16 Oct 2012, 17:20

nome66 wrote:what we REALLY need is an IndyCar race on Brands' full circuit. not that ungodly short bout they wrongfully dubbed "indy".
what Brands needs is more angry Hondas

Oh boy, if there ever is an IndyCar race on the full Brands Hatch circuit we might as well start betting on who's the next Dan Wheldon.

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 17 Oct 2012, 11:45

Klon wrote:
nome66 wrote:what we REALLY need is an IndyCar race on Brands' full circuit. not that ungodly short bout they wrongfully dubbed "indy".
what Brands needs is more angry Hondas

Oh boy, if there ever is an IndyCar race on the full Brands Hatch circuit we might as well start betting on who's the next Dan Wheldon.

Well, Chris van der Drift did have a lucky escape in the SuperLeague race the other year, although if that bridge was protected, he might have been less injured. And Henry Surtees's accident could have happened anywhere. But yeah, I would prefer it on the Indy loop simply so I could see more of the race from Paddock Hill grandstand! And it might annoy the local NIMBY residents a little less???

pasta_maldonado · Post by **pasta_maldonado** » 17 Oct 2012, 17:07

dr-baker wrote:
Klon wrote:
nome66 wrote:what we REALLY need is an IndyCar race on Brands' full circuit. not that ungodly short bout they wrongfully dubbed "indy".
what Brands needs is more angry Hondas

Oh boy, if there ever is an IndyCar race on the full Brands Hatch circuit we might as well start betting on who's the next Dan Wheldon.

Well, Chris van der Drift did have a lucky escape in the SuperLeague race the other year, although if that bridge was protected, he might have been less injured. And Henry Surtees's accident could have happened anywhere. But yeah, I would prefer it on the Indy loop simply so I could see more of the race from Paddock Hill grandstand! And it might annoy the local NIMBY residents a little less???

IMO it's the residents can't complain at all as they chose to live next to a race track that is used for most weekends of the season

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 17 Oct 2012, 17:25

pasta_maldonado wrote:IMO it's the residents can't complain at all as they chose to live next to a race track that is used for most weekends of the season

But that didn't stop lacal residents complaining about Zandvoort. Or Spa. Or Brands. Or Heathrow. Or many other examples that forumites might care to recall. It's NIMBYism gone mad, getting noise restrictions put in...

AndreaModa · Post by **AndreaModa** » 17 Oct 2012, 19:42

dr-baker wrote:
pasta_maldonado wrote:IMO it's the residents can't complain at all as they chose to live next to a race track that is used for most weekends of the season

But that didn't stop lacal residents complaining about Zandvoort. Or Spa. Or Brands. Or Heathrow. Or many other examples that forumites might care to recall. It's NIMBYism gone mad, getting noise restrictions put in...

You go to court though and it won't stand up at all. Wasn't it a speedway track or something over Peterborough way that people living close by were complaining about. Went to court and lost, because of course the track was there before them or the houses. The same should apply for Brands Hatch and anywhere else similar.

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 18 Oct 2012, 15:47

AndreaModa wrote:
dr-baker wrote:
pasta_maldonado wrote:IMO it's the residents can't complain at all as they chose to live next to a race track that is used for most weekends of the season

But that didn't stop lacal residents complaining about Zandvoort. Or Spa. Or Brands. Or Heathrow. Or many other examples that forumites might care to recall. It's NIMBYism gone mad, getting noise restrictions put in...

You go to court though and it won't stand up at all. Wasn't it a speedway track or something over Peterborough way that people living close by were complaining about. Went to court and lost, because of course the track was there before them or the houses. The same should apply for Brands Hatch and anywhere else similar.

You reckon? Really?

nome66 · Post by **nome66** » 18 Oct 2012, 19:14

damages? because of noise? i thought my country sued for everything, but even we know that's ridiculous.
across the pond, it seems they just have these tracks that have been there for years and years, then they build housing in the late 90's early 2000's, and the people and contractors who are technically intruding win the complaint suits. there should've been a law written against this kind of nonsense.
the only way this could hold up is with a street circuit.
if you choose to move close to a famous racetrack with lots of activity throughout the year, you have agreed to not complain about the noise.

Wallio · Post by **Wallio** » 18 Oct 2012, 20:46

nome66 wrote:damages? because of noise? i thought my country sued for everything, but even we know that's ridiculous.
across the pond, it seems they just have these tracks that have been there for years and years, then they build housing in the late 90's early 2000's, and the people and contractors who are technically intruding win the complaint suits. there should've been a law written against this kind of nonsense.
the only way this could hold up is with a street circuit.
if you choose to move close to a famous racetrack with lots of activity throughout the year, you have agreed to not complain about the noise.

Eh, this happens over here too, quite a bit actually. Tracks have actually been closed and bulldozed because of it. Many tracks have limited days of running and noise restrictions because of it (Lime Rock and Laguna Seca spring to mind, as do dozens of Drag Strips). Sadly, the most extreme example was at Englishtown, where the neighbors built so close and complained so much, the wall ended up being built at the end of the strip to keep cars of some Stepford-ville. This wall killed Scott Kalleta, and lead to NHRA Drag Racing being neutered.

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 18 Oct 2012, 21:47

golic_2004 wrote:
Phoenix wrote:
Cynon wrote:Narain Karthikeyan is interested in IndyCar;

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ ... switch/P2/

He should. No matter how you regard it, it will surely be a move up, and he can't be worse than Milka Duno, can he?

He did quite decent in NASCAR, so why can't he do good in Indycar. Everyone in America loves him over here.

His Truck races went primetime on Indian TV, and the Most Popular Driver award could be voted on from anywhere in the world. Karthikeyan was a bit of a wrecking ball but the speed (in the truck, anyway) was clearly there. He probably wouldn't be that great in IndyCar, he'd just... kinda be there.

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 19 Oct 2012, 03:55

It's been reported before, but you may now begin shouting obscenities.

nome66 · Post by **nome66** » 19 Oct 2012, 05:01

[b][b]WHY CAN'T OPEN WHEEL RACING IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA EVER BE A GOOD THING?[/b][/b]
what i'm going to do is build a time machine, go back to 1993, Tell Senna to switch to CART, put Gaffer Tape over Tony George's mouth, and watch the new alternate reality flower into a beautiful industry. trust me it will be good.

Ferrarist · Post by **Ferrarist** » 19 Oct 2012, 07:17

Tony George wants to be like Vince McMahon, yet in the end always comes off as Eric Bischoff. If TG does indeed buy IndyCar, IndyCar is probably doomed to stay the auto racing equivalent of TNA forever. I guess, we can just hope that the Speedway clinges on to IndyCar.

F1000X · Post by **F1000X** » 19 Oct 2012, 17:28

Cynon wrote:It's been reported before, but you may now begin shouting obscenities.

SPEED is on its way out, ALMS and Grand Am are merging, which might spell the end for Daytona Prototypes (I hope not), and now this bullshit?

American racing may be on the verge of some very troubled times.

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 20 Oct 2012, 03:48

F1000X wrote:
Cynon wrote:It's been reported before, but you may now begin shouting obscenities.

SPEED is on its way out, ALMS and Grand Am are merging, which might spell the end for Daytona Prototypes (I hope not), and now this bullshit?

American racing may be on the verge of some very troubled times.

DPs aren't going anywhere. If anything, LMP1 and LMP2 are in trouble. NBC Sports is where most of the motorsport coverage is headed -- of all places.

More on the Tony George story...

http://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/ ... n-company/

nome66 · Post by **nome66** » 20 Oct 2012, 04:15

Jeff Belskus, Hulman & Company president and CEO again stated the same comments that IndyCar is “not for sale and no offers to sell it have been considered or are being considered.” On behalf of the Hulman – George family and of course the company, Belskus added “we applaud Tony's efforts to resolve the appearance of a conflict and appreciate the gravity of this decision."

WHEW what a relief. i knew they were smarter than he was. Trying to step down form the board, then buy the rights and company from the outside because you can't from the inside was a very clever way of going about things. but luckily, they said nope. your damage has been done

F1000X · Post by **F1000X** » 20 Oct 2012, 05:37

Cynon wrote: DPs aren't going anywhere. If anything, LMP1 and LMP2 are in trouble. NBC Sports is where most of the motorsport coverage is headed -- of all places.

Nobody gives a bathplug about LMP2 or LMPC, I'll be glad to see them go. It would be a shame if the top tier was left off the grid however, I'd like Audi/Toyota/Porsche to be given the chance to make their appearances at the Rolex/Sebring/and Petits if they are so inclined.

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 20 Oct 2012, 05:39

F1000X wrote:
Cynon wrote: DPs aren't going anywhere. If anything, LMP1 and LMP2 are in trouble. NBC Sports is where most of the motorsport coverage is headed -- of all places.

Nobody gives a bathplug about LMP2 or LMPC, I'll be glad to see them go. It would be a shame if the top tier was left off the grid however, I'd like Audi/Toyota/Porsche to be given the chance to make their appearances at the Rolex/Sebring/and Petits if they are so inclined.

If LMP2 gets culled, that'll spell the the beginning end of prototype endurance racing. Full stop, new paragraph

RealRacingRoots · Post by **RealRacingRoots** » 20 Oct 2012, 06:06

Wizzie wrote:
F1000X wrote:
Cynon wrote: DPs aren't going anywhere. If anything, LMP1 and LMP2 are in trouble. NBC Sports is where most of the motorsport coverage is headed -- of all places.

Nobody gives a bathplug about LMP2 or LMPC, I'll be glad to see them go. It would be a shame if the top tier was left off the grid however, I'd like Audi/Toyota/Porsche to be given the chance to make their appearances at the Rolex/Sebring/and Petits if they are so inclined.

If LMP2 gets culled, that'll spell the the beginning end of prototype endurance racing. Full stop, new paragraph

LMP2 was the only thing the Euro Le Mans Series had before this season went belly up, and is showing signs of promise in America (Tucker is a Meanie-pants racing, Conquest, McDreamy, Starworks in WEC, maybe ALMS next yeat). LMP2 is in a really good way right now, DP I'm not so sure on. LMP1 has always been on life support since Audi pulled the plug in America. If the right moves are made with the merge, we could get a cracking series. But there is a thread for Le Mans racing here, right?

Wallio · Post by **Wallio** » 20 Oct 2012, 12:22

Everything I've read about this "merger" (which is actually Grand-Am/NASCAR buying out ALMS and Sebring and Road Atlanta, for a song) says LMP1 will be scrapped, LMP2 and LMPC will be merged into just "LMP" DP's will be separate. Their will be one GT class somehow balanced between ALMS GT and GTE, Grand-Am GT, GT3 and possibly GT4. Theres also rumors of the new DTM USA getting a class. Take all these with huge doses of salt though. Even Grand-Am doesn't know what it'll do yet.

I personally would have liked to see LMP2/LMPC/DP merged into one class (with engine restrictor adjustments and weight tweaks it could easily happen). I'm also for DTM tagging along, as they're gonna be the closest thing to true GT1/GTS cars were gonna get over here.

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 21 Oct 2012, 23:50

nome66 wrote:
Jeff Belskus, Hulman & Company president and CEO again stated the same comments that IndyCar is “not for sale and no offers to sell it have been considered or are being considered.” On behalf of the Hulman – George family and of course the company, Belskus added “we applaud Tony's efforts to resolve the appearance of a conflict and appreciate the gravity of this decision."

WHEW what a relief. i knew they were smarter than he was. Trying to step down form the board, then buy the rights and company from the outside because you can't from the inside was a very clever way of going about things. but luckily, they said nope. your damage has been done

Tony George may not have formally made his offer yet. Otherwise, Jeff Belskus may be slamming TG here by saying that he's so lowly that he isn't even considered a "serious offer". Don't know if Belskus is the type of person who would subtly be a dick to TG in public.

Wallio · Post by **Wallio** » 27 Oct 2012, 19:35

http://espn.go.com/racing/indycar/story ... n-co-board

REJOICE! Looks like George did make his offer, and it wasn't considered serious. Also The IICS board has shot down the Indy Star report that Randy is fired, although they strangely said "Randy Bernard has not been fired this week". Some vote of confidence.

Aerospeed · Post by **Aerospeed** » 27 Oct 2012, 21:50

Wallio wrote:http://espn.go.com/racing/indycar/story/_/id/8525429/indycar-founder-tony-george-resigns-hulman-co-board

REJOICE!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 27 Oct 2012, 22:52

Wallio wrote:http://espn.go.com/racing/indycar/story/_/id/8525429/indycar-founder-tony-george-resigns-hulman-co-board

REJOICE! Looks like George did make his offer, and it wasn't considered serious. Also The IICS board has shot down the Indy Star report that Randy is fired, although they strangely said "Randy Bernard has not been fired this week". Some vote of confidence.

Randy's fate is uncertain, but I won't believe that he is fired unless Indycar makes an official release and tells him to get out. Bernard has the most thankless job in motorsports. Easily.

Ferrarist · Post by **Ferrarist** » 28 Oct 2012, 11:52

Cynon wrote:
Wallio wrote:http://espn.go.com/racing/indycar/story/_/id/8525429/indycar-founder-tony-george-resigns-hulman-co-board

REJOICE! Looks like George did make his offer, and it wasn't considered serious. Also The IICS board has shot down the Indy Star report that Randy is fired, although they strangely said "Randy Bernard has not been fired this week". Some vote of confidence.

Randy's fate is uncertain, but I won't believe that he is fired unless Indycar makes an official release and tells him to get out. Bernard has the most thankless job in motorsports. Easily.

Nah, it could be worse. For once, Randy isn't in danger to get jailed for bribery in Germany. :mrgreen:

On the hand, I really think IndyCar should be taken from the IMS. I mean, what's the purpose of IndyCar? To provide a full grid for the 500, but that's something another series could provide. Sure, some teams are getting subsidies from the speedway, but if they can't afford IndyCar, they should bugger off and do another series instead. Someone else (with more knowledge about running a business) will probably take over.
Ironically, as much as I want the speedway to restrict its influence of IndyCar racing, the Indy 500 should still lay the groundwork for the revitalization of IndyCar racing. Unfortunately, USAC doesn't sanction Indy anymore, or else they would have opened up the regs a bit. The sad thing is, it just needs relatively few changes, to get the ball rolling. Just allow different chassis manufacturers to enter, and allow different engine choices (Why not a 3.8l-V8 N/A (Based off a turbo factor of 1.7) engine as a supplement to the V6 turbos). Unfortunately, reason seems to be a foreign word in Indiana...

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 28 Oct 2012, 17:39

Is there any more rumours/news surrounding the proposed race in Italy yet? If it goes ahead, I am so wanting to organise a uni road trip to it to coincide with the end of the summer holidays, just before next academic year starts. Bound to be cheaper the the F1 race at Monza, right?

nome66 · Post by **nome66** » 28 Oct 2012, 20:17

well i know one ticket to Austin costs more than three full-access-three-day tickets to Baltimore so.... probably

deCrasheris · Post by **deCrasheris** » 28 Oct 2012, 22:29

Well the inevitable happened http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ ... d-meeting/

nome66 · Post by **nome66** » 28 Oct 2012, 22:39

Kabang! Two Down!

SimtekFan32 · Post by **SimtekFan32** » 29 Oct 2012, 01:57

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9yin ... 1_1280.png

I think this says it all. GOB Bluth said it best. Expect fan fallout. I've actually talked to a fan that said he's refusing to attend or watch races next year due to this decision. RIP IndyCar, it's been nice watching you since 1998.

Whitfield OUT!!

Wallio · Post by **Wallio** » 29 Oct 2012, 02:16

deCrasheris wrote:Well the inevitable happened http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ ... d-meeting/

What the bathplug? Seriously? I was going to Pocono next year, now I'm not so sure.....

deCrasheris · Post by **deCrasheris** » 29 Oct 2012, 02:56

Wallio wrote:
deCrasheris wrote:Well the inevitable happened http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ ... d-meeting/

What the bathplug? Seriously? I was going to Pocono next year, now I'm not so sure.....

Ditto! I'm not too happy about this and my trip to Pocono maybe cancelled now! Not sure if I can support Indycar anymore after this bout of foolishness

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 29 Oct 2012, 05:35

You want to take the IndyCar series out of the hands of the IMS board but leave them in charge of the Indy 500? Yeah, that's what created the split in the first place.

deCrasheris wrote:
Wallio wrote:
deCrasheris wrote:Well the inevitable happened http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ ... d-meeting/

What the bathplug? Seriously? I was going to Pocono next year, now I'm not so sure.....

Ditto! I'm not too happy about this and my trip to Pocono maybe cancelled now! Not sure if I can support Indycar anymore after this bout of foolishness

When Roger Penske is quoted as saying the IMS board is a bunch of tards, that's saying something. Especially since he was none too pleased with Bernard either at one point. I'm no fan of the politics but if there was a race I could feasibly go to (classwork kept me away from Milwaukee :evil:

), I would go anyway.

Not until the product changes radically. As it stands, I doubt that will happen.