Let the rescue ship leave GF behind; end the split.

[Grinder-Tank]

Open Wheel unification can be achieved by getting Conquest and Haas to leave Champ Car. They don't have to join the Indy Car Series, but it would help.

If they were to join Indy Car, that would essentially leave GF as the nowhere man. KK being new, does not have roots in the sport that can be tied to the PPG Indy Car Series.

Get those teams to join and then pile on the press about the end of the split. Because GF being the lone team owner holding out can't be seen as an elemet of a split, not if the information is presented to sposors and the pubilc.

One series is closer than you think. I say get it done!!

[Jim Wilke]

Hard to say what GF wants - surely even he can see there is little hope of CC turning things around but that may not matter to him.

I no longer have the link but in November of '03 when there was still some doubt as to who would end up with the remains of CART, Gerry told a Canadian newspaper that if he and his partners were not successful in their bid to acquire CART, he was prepared to start another series. In those days, Gerry owned enough Reynards to fill a grid and he was apparently all set to make sure that there was an alternative of some kind to the IRL. Of course, 5 years of losing millions may have changed his attitude but maybe not.

[aportinga]

Open Wheel unification can be achieved by getting Conquest and Haas to leave Champ Car. They don't have to join the Indy Car Series, but it would help.

If they were to join Indy Car, that would essentially leave GF as the nowhere man. KK being new, does not have roots in the sport that can be tied to the PPG Indy Car Series.

Get those teams to join and then pile on the press about the end of the split. Because GF being the lone team owner holding out can't be seen as an elemet of a split, not if the information is presented to sposors and the pubilc.

One series is closer than you think. I say get it done!!

Again - the plan is Minardi and Walker.

[jmart]

Again - the plan is Minardi and Walker.

I luv it when a plan comes together.........

[aportinga]

:d

[Z28]

If only the Grinder-Tank wishes would come true.

After all these years at this point I don't think the actions of anyone other than Forsythe and Kalkoven will have any influence on anything happening to CC. No matter what tracks, teams, sponsors, manufacturers come or go will ever have any effect on what those two are willing to do to continue their series in some form or even maybe like JW said start another. Not exactly a new year's resolution but I have given up trying to comprehend what those two are thinking in continuing. I don't think I'll ever get onboard that they're doing it to spite Tony George, that would seem to border on insanity for the money spent and be something more likely found in a bad comedy made for TV movie. It's sure not because they have the burning love of the sport, as much as they are embarassing it. Of the major players in the sport like tracks, sanctioning bodies, suppliers the only working relationships that they seem to have are with the ALMS and Don Panoz.

It might sound 'bear'ish to suggest but Panoz might be the only one who could somehow craft a solution that would get to the one series situation. And then he would have to want to and there hasn't been any real sign of that. Once the picture doesn't include Forsythe and Kalakoven Tony George can become part of the equation for moving into the one series future but it's obvious he doesn't want to be involved with the CC owners any more than they want to deal with him.

I can waste my time suggesting the IRL get with it and do a better job for themselves and not spend an ounce of effort worrying about CC but they haven't listened yet.

It's just what it is and there's no end in sight.

[Danny Noonan]

I agree that if even a single 2-car Champ Car team were to defect, it would open the flood gates again like in 02-03. However, as far as non-3 amigo owned teams, likely only NHL would have the funds to make the move. The CCWS teams basically get free engines and chassis. Buying IRL equipment would be added expenses that teams struggling to stay afloat in CCWS wouldn't be able to spend.

GF and KK have put themselves in a situation where it might actually be more expensive to cancel the series because of all their direct business dealings as owners of Cosworth, promoting events, leasing Panoz's etc. They have a lot of sunk costs and would certainly get sued for potentially tens of millions of dollars for various contracts, so it is a really difficult situation they've put themselves in.

[Dennis H.]

It will only end when KK and GF decides that it will end, I don't think any amount of team departures will decide it. I think they could fund the series indefinitely but I don't know if they want to or not.

[fivehundred2go]

If Champcar ended the "split," would anyone outside of Trackforum know it ended"

Reminds me something about a tree falling in the forest and sound.


Actually there is no split, Cart is gone, and a new business tried to open doors in the vacated "building."

[Gomer Simpson]

Not exactly a new year's resolution but I have given up trying to comprehend what those two are thinking in continuing. I don't think I'll ever get onboard that they're doing it to spite Tony George, that would seem to border on insanity for the money spent and be something more likely found in a bad comedy made for TV movie. It's sure not because they have the burning love of the sport, as much as they are embarassing it.

EGO

[MarkDonohueFan]

I don't think I'll ever get onboard that they're doing it to spite Tony George

That was believable in the CART era from 1995 to about 2000 when the upper hand was with CART. Since it has been a spiral (2000 to 2003) then an exercise in ego (2004 to current).

This has been all about ego and spiting Tony George since the day they decided to do more with CART's assets than run a few teams and meld into the Indy Car Series as event promoters and engine developers. When they decided series, they sealed their fate as obstructionists with only one aim: to spite Tony George.

Running a competitive, let alone entertaining, racing series was within the top five reasons. But toward the top was always to be a thorn in the side of Tony George.

What a waste of money.

[Grinder-Tank]

I don't care what Gerald Forsythe does. If, and I'll add in, Walker along with Haas and Conquest, say a few solid teams leave champ car, then GF will be exposed as the nowhere man.

At that point, it's time to send the van and the men in white coats to pick him up. He can buy the Champ Car Long beach slot car set and start his new series in the rubber room.

[jeffracer]

He can buy the Champ Car Long beach slot car set and start his new series in the rubber room.

Hold it now, don't get GF involved in slot car racing! Slot cars are the only true racing I have left, no split, no politics, no ***, no inflated attendance, no ratings, no reunification, just racing.

Send GF to the rubber room with a oija board or crazy eights.

[Doc Austin]

Hold it now, don't get GF involved in slot car racing! Slot cars are the only true racing I have left, no split.........

A split is nothing. The squeeze is much worse.

[indycool]

KK has been VERY quiet since before the JDSU trial. Maybe he's counting penguins again. As G-T said to open the thread, it appears like the baton has been passed to Forsythe to make it work. So, what changes? Cotman quits, Matos tells 'em to stick $2 million and the TV schedule is worthless. Bad start.

[numrounofan]

looks like daddy warbucks maybe looking for a new mistress.....one younger and sexier and doesn't whine and ask for cash all the time...

[Saw150]

I envision a LBGP with 10 Atlantics filling the field with tacked on CC bodywork to make it look like real DP 01s, just like in the movie "Grand Prix"

They dressed up the F2 cars to look like F1s, with fake exhausts and velocity stacks...made me puke.

[indycool]

Well, looks like Jani's out of CC.......

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/64808

[aportinga]

I am shooked!

[Indymarlin1]

Let the rescue ship leave GF behind; end the split.

Looks like you got your title wrong. It maybe should have read "Let the rescue ship leave KK behind; end the split.

From Cavin's Q&A:

Question: If Champ Car folds, would Jerry Forsythe dare to step foot in an IRL paddock? (Robert, San Antonio, Texas)
Answer: I think it's possible he'd field a team. My spies said he's been in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway offices in the past few weeks -- although I haven't been able to confirm that -- so that ought to be worth something.

[numrounofan]

I am shooked!

and I'm shaken..........(cue Eddie Money)

[numrounofan]

Well, looks like Jani's out of CC.......

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/64808

maybe INDYCar should look to merge with A1GP?

[ToddBenne]

It seems at times only some of the drivers are thinking like business men. Guys like Jani and the like who acknowledge CCWS is uncertain and make a move that is more stable and sound for them on all fronts. They get a pay check, don't have to bring the team's budget, know exactly where they will be racing-no fear of cancellations, etc etc. Then of course the fanatics put the proverbial F in front of their name and pontificate about what a loser they are.

I think CCWS ownership is making decisions based out of ego, arrogance, lack of motorsports skills and emotion based on sticking it to someone...anyone.

[kikigirl]

and I'm shaken..........(cue Eddie Money)

but not stirred (cue James Bond)

Goodness knows we need to insert a little humor into this dismal CC situation.

[numrounofan]

but not stirred (cue James Bond)

Goodness knows we need to insert a little humor into this dismal CC situation.

[MoparsRule]

If Champcar ended the "split," would anyone outside of Trackforum know it ended"

Reminds me something about a tree falling in the forest and sound.


Actually there is no split, Cart is gone, and a new business tried to open doors in the vacated "building."

Agreed.

[jdessar]

Reminds me something about a tree falling in the forest and sound.

When I think of "ChampCar" and "tree" this is what I picture.