Another towards 33

[Jim Wilke]

For some reason, I can't cut and paste from the IRL website but if you read down in this story, there is information regarding Playa del Racing:

link

PdR and John Herb's Racing Professionals team have joined operations and Herb will drive in the IPS for the new combo. Then they will field at least one car at Indy for Jaques Lazier and a second for Herb, who ran in the 2001 Indy 500. Herb qualified 18th - thanks to a healthy boost of Menard power - and ran near the middle of the field before crashing out.

Money may not be a big issue - if you look at the Forbes' annual billionaires' lists, many of the usual suspects thought to be very wealthy never appear. No sign of KK, GF or TG...........but John Herb's dad is there with a net worth listed at $1.1 billion.

[ICantDrive55]

For some reason, I can't cut and paste from the IRL website but if you read down in this story, there is information regarding Playa del Racing:

link

PdR and John Herb's Racing Professionals team have joined operations and Herb will drive in the IPS for the new combo. Then they will field at least one car at Indy for Jaques Lazier and a second for Herb, who ran in the 2001 Indy 500. Herb qualified 18th - thanks to a healthy boost of Menard power - and ran near the middle of the field before crashing out.

Money may not be a big issue - if you look at the Forbes' annual billionaires' lists, many of the usual suspects thought to be very wealthy never appear. No sign of KK, GF or TG...........but John Herb's dad is there with a net worth listed at $1.1 billion.

I thought ride buying for no-talent racers was a bad thing?

Change your mind?

[Defender]

They hit that '...there won't be 33' panic button exceedingly early this time (like before last Thanksgiving).

It appears once again all such fears and wailing are without merit as they have been for each year of the entire life of the IRL.

[badart]

What else can they say when you have only 10 cars ( I know, just as Indy will have 33, LB will have 18).

[Chitownfan]

For some reason, I can't cut and paste from the IRL website

What you have to do is hit the "print this story" button and then cut and paste it from that window.

[Tony Johns]

I thought ride buying for no-talent racers was a bad thing?

Change your mind?

The rules are different for Indy.

If ride-buyers, weak shoestring teams, "unofficial" series subsidies and so forth help get 33 at Indy, more power to 'em.

Just remember that those things are baaaaaaaaad for Champ Car and you'll be okay.

[dog-ring]

The rules are different for Indy.

If ride-buyers, weak shoestring teams, "unofficial" series subsidies and so forth help get 33 at Indy, more power to 'em.

Just remember that it's always been that way.................

[Chitownfan]

RM says TG is funding 10.

TONY TO PONY UP: With the IRL down to 18 regulars, the Indy 500 is really going to be hurting for cars so Tony George is funding 10 cars for May.

Bottom line: If he doesn't there can't be 33 starters

Speed

[Tony Johns]

Just remember that it's always been that way.................

Yeah I know... although the ratio of solvent teams to the stringers always seemed to be a little healthier in the gauze-wrapped reminisces of my mind.

Plus, I seem to remember entry surpluses. But that's gotta be a mistake...

[Tooonces]

18. Last I saw there was 20 expected for Homestead. 18 tested, Cheever wasn't there but will start and it seems the Ron and Chesson Show will be debuting there too.

Oh, that Robin - never does let reality get in the way of good rumor mongering.

[Jim Wilke]

Yeah I know... although the ratio of solvent teams to the stringers always seemed to be a little healthier in the gauze-wrapped reminisces of my mind.

Plus, I seem to remember entry surpluses. But that's gotta be a mistake...

It used to be a little easier to enter a car when you could take the engine out of a school bus....

[cheeseczar]

It used to be a little easier to enter a car when you could take the engine out of a school bus....

You are showing your age, Jim.
That seems to be frowned upon around here.

[stockblock]

You could even lead the Indy 500 with a school bus engine. Go Rager

[SportscarBruce]

How big were these school busses back then?

Thanks for the Indycar website tip Jim.

[indyracefan]

...I agree that the Indy 500 has always had it's one-offs by shoestring-budget teams with ride-buyin' wannabe drivers. And alot of times these were the underdog teams that many pulled for. I agree too that there were 'always' more entries, drivers, teams & cars to ever even contimplate on whether they're would be 33 or not.

Admittingly I'm not a big Jon Herb fan but at least I have respect and give him credit for continuing to follow a dream in racing in the Indy 500. At the same time I respect how with his experience & budget he's keeping with reality the rest of the season by sticking with the IPS. There have certainly been alot of other drivers who have tried and even qualified for the '500' who were far worse.

Great that Jacques will have a ride at Indy though I wish it were for the whole season. (BTW- I don't rate Jacques as a 'ride-buyin wannabe driver! )