Cavin Today....
That’s the word on the street and while that would be great for race fans, it will be a financial bath for IndyCar. Here’s why: The sanctioning fee for the China race is believed to be north of $8 million. IndyCar likely would have to go to Road America (or any other place) mostly on its own dime. So even conservatively, that’s a $10 million swing. Chew on that for a while. It might be a backup plan to satisfy television and sponsor contracts, but it’s not a good financial plan.
Wanker!
Dont we already know that China is paying arms and legs for that race? It shouldnt come to a surprise to anyone that Indycar will actually suffer if it goes to Road America this year...
That is very interesting. One might wonder if Randy Bernard is unhappy enough with Michael Andretti, that he has changed his mind about delaying a possible race at Road America to benefit Milwaukee?Originally Posted by Grizzlor
Here is an article from the Detroit Free Press with a little more information on the track at Belle Isle:
http://www.freep.com/article/2012060...aster-strongerWork to replace sections of the circuit that came apart at the seams Sunday during the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix and to add a long straightaway on the back of the track will start this summer or early fall, said Bud Denker, chairman of the Detroit Grand Prix Association Inc.
Cost of the construction, Denker said, would have to be shared by the Detroit GP Association, the City of Detroit and the state.
There is more information in the linked article.
Milwaukee is in a couple weeks, announcing a Road America race now really won't "hurt" the sales there. Even though I repeat it doesn't affect it.
Here is a little info from Curt Cavin's Indystar Q&A today"
http://blogs.indystar.com/racingexpe...and-auto-club/I’m not sure what the “backup plan” is, but I also don’t think it’s Phoenix or Richmond because my various sources know of no such plan. I’ll also say this: If IndyCar has a race after Fontana, it’s pulled a dirty trick on Auto Club Speedway. Officials at that track and its fans have been led to believe it’s the season finale. Randy Bernard might be right in saying there’s nothing in the contract that specifies that, but it will be wrong to put another points-paying race at the end of the season. Could it be a non-points race? I’m sure it could be, but how does that satisfy contracts that call for 16 races? A race, by my definition, is one that pays points and counts toward the championship.
I haven't commented about Randy Bernard's performance up to this point, but he has made a lot of IMO bad comments and decisions. I have kept an open mind about Randy Bernard from when he started. I am not saying whether I believe he should stay or go, but I wonder if he will make it to the end of his contract.
If the China race is moved until after Fontana, then Fontana is still the last race for most part. No one will notice if China occurs or not.
Cavin is an idiot. "Dirty Trick"
Cavin has made his point clear that he's doesn't support Randy. I think he's still mad Barnhart is gone, when the old IRL guys got fired, his sources dried up.
The Original Fan of Kimi "The Iceman" Raikkonen 2007 World Driving Champion: 20 Wins---72 Podiums---16 Pole Positions---38 Fastest Laps ---1 Gorilla Suit 2013 Australian Grand Prix CHAMPION
Not sure about the second part but Cavin does seem to be very overly critical at times for the series as a whole. He uses some very pointed language in some of his articles.
Actually Cavin was really vocal last night in support of aero kits, even after a team owner texted and called him on the phone. But to say it's IndyCar's fault because Fontana might be the finale and now isn't, is stupid. Kevin Lee flat out told him Fontana was NOT marketing the race as the finale.
This is not the thread to argue this point, but that comment is a bunch of bull. Curt Cavin has never said he doesn't support Randy Bernard. All he has reported are facts. I agree that Randy Bernard has made several big mistakes, that doesn't mean I don't support him.
Give Texas a second race again! Speaking as a Dallas resident, I'm not biased.
This years race may be the last at TMS:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mor...-the-track.eceThe tension surrounding Texas Motor Speedway began in the off-season, when drivers still reeling from the death of Dan Wheldon questioned the compatibility of IndyCar and high-banked ovals.
It’s led to a conflict between a track promoter who champions himself a longtime IndyCar supporter and the stars of the series who want to ensure they will be safe Saturday night when racing returns to Texas for a 16th consecutive year.
When the checkered flag falls Saturday night, the 24th running at Texas could very well be the final race around the 1.5-mile oval for IndyCar.
“We’ve had no discussion about anything, and as far as I’m concerned, we’re running the race and we’ll address 2013 when the race is over,” TMS President Eddie Gossage said Friday. “I run a race track. I want to run races, and we’ve had spectacular races over the years. But at the same time there it has grown increasingly difficult in dealing with these folks. And, at some point, you have to decide if the pain is worth the trouble.
“What has happened of late really just sucks the passion out of you, and it’s really hard to be passionate when you have been there and supported — some may even say saved IndyCar racing — and you feel like you are due a little respect and loyalty and courtesy. I don’t think we are alone in this category of feeling this way, and it’s absolutely puzzling.”
TMS and IndyCar are dealing with several issues. Among them is the high sanctioning fee the series charges the track, and a date shift this year that gave Belle Isle the slot after the Indianapolis 500 that Texas usually held. Gossage did not think a different race date warranted the same fee from IndyCar.
But the greatest concern is safety, stemming from Wheldon’s fatal October accident at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The two-time Indianapolis 500 winner died when his head hit a fence post, but there were several mitigating factors that the accident report cited as contributing to the 15-car accident.
,and a date shift this year that gave Belle Isle the slot after the Indianapolis 500 that Texas usually held. Gossage did not think a different race date warranted the same fee from IndyCar.
That is not true. Texas has been two weeks after Indy for a while now. I do recall it being moved up once a couple of years back to be one week after Indy but they have said before they like being the first race , but two weeks after Indy. From a fans stand point, I like having a race right after Indy to keep the excitement flowing not two weeks later. I am sure Eddie has is reasons for wanting that, I just don't recall why.
And nothing keeps the excitement flowing like Belle Isle.
The problem is without the China payday, there are several events which become tenuous, due to sanction fees the crowd size doesn't cover.
Some like Eddie Gossage himself, obviously.some may even say saved IndyCar racing
MotorRacingblog.nl | Kwaliteitsblog
China was not a dumb decision after all... So why dont we hope China will continue for a while to keep the series healthy. Who knows might find an audience in Asia... I also hear Qatar is offering a large sum of money too but I dont think Randy's talking to them anymore. Shame, losail is a great track
Agreed
"...American open-wheel racing is based around the most famous oval track in the world -- the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. So how in the world does it make sense to center the majority of the IndyCar Series on street courses, road courses and foreign events?..." Terry Blount, ESPN
The decision to have the street parade borefest after Indy was ridiculous. Texas does a great job of promotion and in the past the racing had been great. That race should have followed Indy
This whole Texas deal just pretty much sums up Indycar....whenever anything is remotely good they find a way to **** it away. I think the drivers owners etc are allergic to success...go ahead and pursue the want to be f1 schedule and see where that gets you. The direction this series has taken is nothing but a joke and frankly how it remains to exist is really beyond me.
I'm gonna wiggle it at 'em, you cheap b@st@rd. Be prepared, because when I yank it out, everybody in that audience except my wife is gonna be runnin' for the exits.
If it sustains other races, then I'm begrudgingly for it. Hope all you or I want, but this is China, contracts are worth nothing. If the new mayor doesn't want them there, that as they say, is that.
As I said, if the bargain rate sanction continues, Gossage would be foolish to cancel the race. It's a two way street though, remember Gossage ranted and raved to get Milwaukee moved in the schedule, and screamed about adding Houston, a market that really doesn't affect him.
How does Indycar suffer if it goes to Road America, exactly? I understand the monetary bath the series would take if it does not go to China. But how is racing at the best road course in North America a bad thing for Indycar?
From a fan's perspective it's not. It's the swing of an $8Million payday versus having to spend money to get everybody and everything to Elkhart Lake, then rent the track. All the while not having much time to promote the race and sell tix.
A quickie event still has normal costs, with shrunk income.
Should they take it on the chin in the hopes that an outstanding race might sell future tix at R/A and elsewhere?
Well.... yeah....
If the race is successful for both parties I don't think we'll have to worry about Indycar being back next year.
https://twitter.com/#!/curtcavinOn returning to Texas, @RBINDYCAR makes it clear it will be a financial decision. Also, he said there's "tremendous" interest from Austin.
You'd have to imagine an Austin and Houston race would make Gossage less than happy...
From a couch in North Dakota
It's financial. People just don't realize the amount of red ink TG spilled.
I wish it worked that way..unfortunately I think the return of this race has more to do with driver opinion than financials.
https://twitter.com/#!/curtcavinOn returning to Texas, @RBINDYCAR makes it clear it will be a financial decision. Also, he said there's "tremendous" interest from Austin.
Easy. IndyCar pays out of its pocket for Road America which would mean it'll have to pay 10 mil where as if it goes to RA but it would get 8 mil if it goes to China. The racing might (or might even not we haven't see how good the chinese street course is) be better but if no one shows up and it doesn't have the finances to pay for itself then it won't be good for the series at all.
For godsake Grizzlor China is only one race. You guys seriously act as if IndyCar is suddenly moving 60% of the schedule to China. It's one race people and if that one race means that we get to keep awesome tracks like Texas and go to more awesome tracks in the US and Canada then it's a good thing. Who the hell cares if it's China, or Qatar or Iran for that matter. If it goes to a few foreign venue that helps support the series financially then it's a good thing.
Who knows, expand IndyCar's international appeal as well. If the majority of Americans will suddenly become disinterested JUST because a few races are foreign then I'm sorry that's one of the most closed minded thinking I've ever had the misfortune of running into and I hope you people leave the IndyCar fanbase.
Also, if China doesn't pay. Sure axe it. You'll see no complaints from me if China doesn't pay and we can't go there anymore. Seriously I have never seen a group of people that whine and ***** more about a race series that goes a little more international than IndyCar and NASCAR fans. I'm sure Indy wont go overseas for the heck of it. If they go overseas they will likely be for a good reason (unless Terry Angstadt's involved but he's not around anymore is he).
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