Should the Indy 500 become an independent event?

[Turrell Sporano]

The negative politics that plague the IRL are having a negative effect on the 500. Also, the IRL rules package does not allow any mechanical innovation in the (now inaccurately-named) "Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

In my opinion, the 500 needs to become an independent, "run what ya brung" event to restore its former glory.

If it does become an independent event, it could still easily be a points-paying event if enough Indy teams show up.

Sounds like a win-win.

[ttturner68]

H

Liability and entry numbers makes the entire concept impossible.

[doitagain]

Series Direction, or Racing Biz?

Lemme know

[Proveapoint]

The negative politics that plague the IRL are having a negative effect on the 500. Also, the IRL rules package does not allow any mechanical innovation in the (now inaccurately-named) "Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

In my opinion, the 500 needs to become an independent, "run what ya brung" event to restore its former glory.

If it does become an independent event, it could still easily be a points-paying event if enough Indy teams show up.

Sounds like a win-win.

Without sounding too negative- we had the Indy 500 independent from the 'series' between 1979 and 1995, and it wasn't a points race the first few years of that time period (until '83 IIRC). Eventually, we ended up in this mess as a indirect/direct result of that period. Right or wrong, I don't think IMS wants to just run the 500 anymore without significant control of the series around it (unless the company line has changed in the last 5 or so years).

The idea may be sound, my concern is chicken-egg-> if the 500 sets the rules, does the 'series' around it follow and use similar rules to Indy, or does the 500 match rules to the series (again, what got us in this mess). The worst scenario is the rules differ, and cause two different cars/engines needed throughout the year to be competitive, which would either force a team to be uncompetitive by running on set all season that fits all the rules, or spend a lot of cash to run both.

Now, if somehow the folks at IMS and the 'new' racing series were able to collaborate well, this would work great in theory. Yet we're dealing with people, who want money and have egos, so while this arrangement could work for a while, we would be headed straight for a third split (I count USAC-CART in '79 as one) at some point (that point could be 1 year down the road or 20, but at some point when money and control are at stake, things would go south).

I don't think the idea is that bad on paper, but many ideas don't translate well from paper to reality (Socialism, true democracy and the Cubs winning a world series).

EDIT: And I'm sure I'll follow this talk in a subforum soon

[ramberg]

Can we please stop calling the series IRL?????? Please?

[Rick Mears 500]

Years ago, the Indianapolis 500 was an independent event separate from the CART IndyCar schedule. It paid it's own points & had it's own numbering system. The winning Indy driver from the year before would carry the number 1 for that race only regardless of if he won the previous years season title. I guess the owners or something didn't like it so it went away. I don't think they'll do it again...

[ASM]

Can we please stop calling the series IRL?????? Please?

I wish we could.

[NoviVespa]

The negative politics that plague the IRL are having a negative effect on the 500. Also, the IRL rules package does not allow any mechanical innovation in the (now inaccurately-named) "Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

In my opinion, the 500 needs to become an independent, "run what ya brung" event to restore its former glory.

If it does become an independent event, it could still easily be a points-paying event if enough Indy teams show up.

Sounds like a win-win.

Everyone wants this independent thing with innovation.

No team right now has the money, lets say like a F1 team, to do that.

[ramberg]

dba IndyCar...

I wish we could.

[HunterG]

If IndyCar is losing a lot of money and dragging down the 500, I would be ok with it.

[Jacoby]

I say keep the Indy 500 as it is, but I think the Speedway should add the Electric 500. The only rules should be for safety. I think we would see some amazing things happen, with innovators from around the world developing or improving existing technology. IndyCar could shape their schedule around such a race so teams could hire IndyCar drivers for the event, if they choose. Why not?

[OpenWheelBill]

I say keep the Indy 500 as it is, but I think the Speedway should add the Electric 500. The only rules should be for safety. I think we would see some amazing things happen, with innovators from around the world developing or improving existing technology. IndyCar could shape their schedule around such a race so teams could hire IndyCar drivers for the event, if they choose. Why not?

i like it, bout id like to see alternative sources of power of all kinds, not just electric

[Jacoby]

i like it, bout id like to see alternative sources of power of all kinds, not just electric

I would go along with that.

[Indyknut]

What's an IRL?

[kevin99]

What's an IRL?

It rides around in a cart.