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Champcar is, in my opinion, engaged in one last-ditched attempt at outsmarting the IRL and getting as much as it can in a “merger” of the open wheel series. Let’s look at the facts:
1. The idea of a merger gets leaked to a major publication. Champcar publicly whines about how the leak “damages the potential of a merger.” But what was contained in a leak—a 50/50 split being discussed—is clearly favorable to them. By leaking the story, the agenda is set around a 50/50 split (which appeals to a subjective, and wrong, notion of fairness) which clearly favors Champcar. Champcar’s assets would not make up 50% of a “merged” series, so why should they get 50% of the benefit?
2. Robin Miller and crew are ready with the “The IRL will struggle to get 18 at Homestead and 33 at Indy,” garbage. Fact: There are 19 confirmed cars for Homestead, 27 for Indy, with 3 more unannounced but likely…33 (maybe even 34 or 35) will be arrived at. Miller is also protesting that Champcar will bring 25 cars to the IRL…how many confirmed cars does Champcar have 9, 10? How many cars in Champcar aren’t supported by the series owners?
3. This is the third year in a row “merger” discussions have been started in February. The reason: it links Champcar to Indy. They realize their series isn’t worth much without the 500, and this is the only way they can still be related—if only tangentially—to the 500. At the same time they’re crowing about a “merger” they’re running a race on pole day, making it almost impossible for their teams to run Indy.
4. Champcar says that a new chassis is a big deal for the IRL. But their chassis was designed to run on road courses. The current IRL cars put on great oval shows. A no-pass, follow the leader 500 wouldn’t help anyone. I’m sure the new Panoz could be modified, but really what’s wrong with the old Panoz and Dallara? The answer is nothing.
5. KK is now protesting that “both sides have to win.” But with the agenda set at a 50/50 split—which is far more than he deserves to get—he’s set his side up to claim the lions share of the benefit, and really set the IRL up to lose.
To me, this is a clear case of Champcar using shrewd, if questionable, negotiating tactics to try and maximize their gains. The IRL shouldn’t negotiate as long as things are being leaked to the press, and this 50/50 notion keeps being bandied about by Champcar. The IRL has more assets, and therefore deserves more than 50% of any “merged” series.
1. The idea of a merger gets leaked to a major publication. Champcar publicly whines about how the leak “damages the potential of a merger.” But what was contained in a leak—a 50/50 split being discussed—is clearly favorable to them. By leaking the story, the agenda is set around a 50/50 split (which appeals to a subjective, and wrong, notion of fairness) which clearly favors Champcar. Champcar’s assets would not make up 50% of a “merged” series, so why should they get 50% of the benefit?
2. Robin Miller and crew are ready with the “The IRL will struggle to get 18 at Homestead and 33 at Indy,” garbage. Fact: There are 19 confirmed cars for Homestead, 27 for Indy, with 3 more unannounced but likely…33 (maybe even 34 or 35) will be arrived at. Miller is also protesting that Champcar will bring 25 cars to the IRL…how many confirmed cars does Champcar have 9, 10? How many cars in Champcar aren’t supported by the series owners?
3. This is the third year in a row “merger” discussions have been started in February. The reason: it links Champcar to Indy. They realize their series isn’t worth much without the 500, and this is the only way they can still be related—if only tangentially—to the 500. At the same time they’re crowing about a “merger” they’re running a race on pole day, making it almost impossible for their teams to run Indy.
4. Champcar says that a new chassis is a big deal for the IRL. But their chassis was designed to run on road courses. The current IRL cars put on great oval shows. A no-pass, follow the leader 500 wouldn’t help anyone. I’m sure the new Panoz could be modified, but really what’s wrong with the old Panoz and Dallara? The answer is nothing.
5. KK is now protesting that “both sides have to win.” But with the agenda set at a 50/50 split—which is far more than he deserves to get—he’s set his side up to claim the lions share of the benefit, and really set the IRL up to lose.
To me, this is a clear case of Champcar using shrewd, if questionable, negotiating tactics to try and maximize their gains. The IRL shouldn’t negotiate as long as things are being leaked to the press, and this 50/50 notion keeps being bandied about by Champcar. The IRL has more assets, and therefore deserves more than 50% of any “merged” series.
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