The Delta Wing and Fan Age Demographics

[WxTurtle]

Given all the pomp and circumstance of the DW unveiling yesterday, we sure have a lot of opinions dominating the Indycar boards. Not that this is to be construed as a bad thing, as TF was actually knocked offline for a little while around 12:30 CST yesterday; that's how many people were interesting in looking at and talking about the concept.

Bowlby and some other people such as KK have come out and said that technology like the DW is what is necessary for IndyCar to become relevant to today's society and younger (aka new) fans. Other people (especially guys who follow the series on a daily basis like pressdog, etc.) have come out vehemently against the car for it's unappealing aesthetics and said that current fans will jump ship if the car (or something like it) is put into place in 2012.

As is the case with a lot of discussions at TF, I'm very interesting in seeing the age breakdown. It's a component that seems to be sorely lacking in the sanctioning bodies research over the past 10 years; not just in terms of age, but across a whole host of other demographic classifications. This is a very, very, very informal poll, but I'm wondering if it will help shed light on whether the "longtime" fans are truly "sticks in the mud" or rather they are the whole core of ICS fans in general; and without them, there truly would be no ICS.

At the very least, this should make for some interesting discussion.

EDIT:

Just for clarification, for each age bracket (randomly picked; I have no clue how to split up TF members into true thirds without knowing their ages beforehand ) you can vote...

YES on the "concept" and YES on the car
YES on the "concept" and NO on the car
NO on the "concept" and NO on the car
(I didn't think there was a need for NO on the concept and YES on the car since there seems to be no one with that sentiment, but you can "write it in" in the thread if you'd like).

The concept is pretty much what Bowlby discusses in the RM article. efficiency, V4, environmentally friendly, etc.

The car is pretty much what it says; the car that we all so yesterday at the Chicago Auto Show.

[Tabernerus]

I'm 30, and I voted for like the concept and dislike the car, but my dislike is fairly mild. There are some things about it I like, and other I might grow to like over time. The current Dallara has grown on me over time, too.

[WxTurtle]

I should point out that it's not really AGE we care about; but AGE is the best proxy for "what eras have Indycar racing have you been a fan through?" It gives us a litmus for what the long-time fans feel as well as the new ones.

I figured it was easier than trying to separate everyone into decades when they first started watching, or something to that effect.

[Myopia]

For the record, I asked my 10 year old, and her response was "eewww, thats ugly!!!" She much prefers the aesthetics of the current formula car design.

[Formula Indy]

I'm 34 and the car is growing on me. At first, I thought it was ugly. Watching the sims helped.

[Turn13]

I can't vote for one of those options, as I am still trying to keep an open mind and see where this goes.

53 in April... outwardly. Still 19 in many inward ways

[MichaelP]

42 and I love it. My favorite time period of the sport is 1964-1972 (and to a lesser extent up to 1980)... why? Because of the radical change that came about just about every year. Stagnation is bad - we currently run a design that hasn't significantly changed in 25 years.

[hollywood56]

I hate the car and the concept, and I don't see it growing on me over time!

[Tabernerus]

53 in April... outwardly. Still 19 in many inward ways

And god bless you for it!

[gonzo]

I like the "concept" but dislike the car

[flyfishin]

As a lifelong indycar fan I will never attend another Indy 500, Race, or watch/follow the sport on television if this abomination is allowed to run.

Never have been more embarrassed to be an AOW fan.

[Grizzlor]

From what I've seen over the last few days, I've found almost no one is against the concept. The look, eh, another story.

[hollywood56]

As a lifelong indycar fan I will never attend another Indy 500, Race, or watch/follow the sport on television if this abomination is allowed to run.

Never have been more embarrassed to be an AOW fan.

You aren't the only one!

[Mercury]

I am nearing 50 and as long as I can remember, the Indy Cars that I watched had some form of wings on them. So, when I first saw the DeltaWing car, I thought NO WAY I would ever like this car, because the Indy Car races which I have enjoyed have all had wings. Now that I have had some time to think about this, I think it is probably a similar situation to what the people who post on the forum who complain about the engine being in the back faced when I was too young to remember. Or the racers that I have heard complain that real sprint cars don't have wings. Some people might have even laughed when Jim Hall introduced ground effects, (until he kicked their butts). Over time we make improvements and move forward. I would like to stay open minded and would very much enjoy seeing an exhibition race between a couple of these cars before I decide. And for sure, I applaud Ben Bowlby for having the cajones to step forward with his bold ideas.

[TripleFive]

As a lifelong indycar fan I will never attend another Indy 500, Race, or watch/follow the sport on television if this abomination is allowed to run.

Never have been more embarrassed to be an AOW fan.

Its a concept. You are embarrassed, because someone had an idea and the product didn't look like the same regurgitated garbage you are so used to seeing week in and week out?

I don't know what to say to someone whos fandom is so shallow that the aesthetics of a car will drive them away forever.

[gonzo]

Its a concept. You are embarrassed, because someone had an idea and the product didn't look like the same regurgitated garbage you are so used to seeing week in and week out?

I don't know what to say to someone whos fandom is so shallow that the aesthetics of a car will drive them away forever.

What if the aesthetics attracted them to the sport in the first place?

[MichaelP]

What if the aesthetics attracted them to the sport in the first place?

Then they should be tired of seeing the same car now for the last 25 years.

[Doc Austin]

Its a concept. You are embarrassed, because someone had an idea and the product didn't look like the same regurgitated garbage you are so used to seeing week in and week out?

You're right. It's not regurgitated garbage. It looks like it came out the other end.

[Leadfoot]

I'm 34 and the car is growing on me.

Well, if I had one of those things growing on me I'd run to the hospital and have it removed! Or, I'd just save time and money and cut it off myself....

[Crashcab Dummy]

I think this thread hits the point that most are missing. Has anyone asked themselves why Hot Wheels makes a toy cars that look like this. I have to believe that it is because they sell!!! I would guess that most kids who would see this car would think that it is awesome and futuristic.