Should the MIPS be a..........

[dog-ring]

destination series for some drivers or just an feeder series for up and coming young potential ICS drivers?

No flames just your thoughts please.

[step33T]

It should be BOTH!!!

For some racers, it should provide a way for them to run high speed ovals.

It can be a way for racers that don't have quite the talent for the ICS to continue racing.

It should also be a training ground for young driver's, mechanics, owners, and even spotters.

[ovals rule]

Originally posted by step33T
It should be BOTH!!!

For some racers, it should provide a way for them to run high speed ovals.

It can be a way for racers that don't have quite the talent for the ICS to continue racing.

It should also be a training ground for young driver's, mechanics, owners, and even spotters.

I agree. IMO it would difficult to have a quakity car count without the guys looking at the MIPS as a destination.

[IndyJim]

Both - The Busch series is probably filled with 20-25 guys who won't ever run Nascar full time.

[badart]

both.

[headstrong]

I would look at it as a training/transition series. Isn't that what it was made for in the first place? To get guys used to rear engined, winged open wheeled cars? It also serves as a 'cheaper' Indycar series for guys who don't have the $10 million budget.

I look at it as a feeder series, but that doesn't demean it in the least. Every drivers goal is to race in the top level of talent and competition. But it takes steps to get there. The IPS is a good penultimate step to Indycar, but I can guarantee those guys are still having the time of their lives in the IPS.

It kind of has the 'Old School IRL' feel to it. Lot of no-names with a few big ones thrown in. Affordable and gives guys the opprotunity that they wouldn't normally have. It's a great series and it's growing.

[CrewChief]

I also see it as both, a place for guy like a Dr Jack or DeVries in the future that can make it a destination while the up and comers can use it as a training ground. A lot of people are saying like the Busch series, I see it almost more like an ARCA series in that you have a core group, hopefully 10 or 12, weekend warriors that run it every year and finance most of their rides themselves and maybe another 6 to 8 young guys coming up and trying to get exposure to move to IndyCars.

[Dan77]

I hate to say it but it has to be a feeder series only. This is because its too expensive to run "on a lark." There are not enough cars for someone to be playing around with an IPS car and there are not enough races to justify the sponsor's money being spent.

I wish it weren't so. The IPS does have the potential to run good races anywhere on pavement. They could run 2 75-100 mile heat races as a main show (a la F5000). They could (in theory) run road course races that would not be served if a certain other series doesn't ring the bell next year.

But it is marketed (as was Indy Lights) only as a feeder for ICS.

[rev-ed]

Re: Should the MIPS be a..........

Originally posted by dog-ring
destination series for some drivers or just an feeder series for up and coming young potential ICS drivers?

Yes.

See Busch series for another example.

[KnockOff]

Well, I have mixed feelings on this subject.

But when a Mod suggests a thread deserves more posts, I posts!

[DonnieB]

In order to make it as a destination series, it has to make it as a standalone series, able to consistently draw 15-30k paying spectators. It can't be a destination until it is actually possible for a driver to make a living doing it. A driver who can't move up in a season or two won't be hanging around in buy-a-ride mode, when there are less expensive buy-a-ride series at the lower levels.

[Dan77]

Originally posted by DonnieB
In order to make it as a destination series, it has to make it as a standalone series, able to consistently draw 15-30k paying spectators. It can't be a destination until it is actually possible for a driver to make a living doing it. A driver who can't move up in a season or two won't be hanging around in buy-a-ride mode, when there are less expensive buy-a-ride series at the lower levels.

I agree absolutely. Now, how does the IRL do that? Is it possible that the formula (i.e. spec chassis) is wrong for the series? I know that since the mid 80's the rage has been spec series with limited adjustments for feeder classes. This would mean that a good driver and team combination would do well. It also means that the driver or engineer only learns a certain amount of technical data. If you have the ability to experiment, the driver (and team) will learn a lot more and make the driver more well rounded.

Could it be that all of the good talented American drivers were hampered by inadequate preparation in spec feeder series?

[slinger]

The IPS cars are fairly cheap for a carbon fiber, big engine, thoroughly modern race car. However, the problem is that they are still too expensive for a feeder and there is not enough ROI to be a destination.

[mnkywrch]

It should be a feeder for young talent and a destination for ride buying vvankers who hit the lotto of life and feel like blowing their wad of cash on going fast.

Jason Priestly is who is coming to mind. Perfect for the Pro Series.

Dr. Jack? John DeVries? Perfect for the Pro Series.

[SPM]

No pit stops = feeder series.