Johnny Herbert to the Indy 500

[Ted]

http://www.autosport.com/newsitem.cf...7650&series=18

Another cherrypicker?
Who will he race for?
Can he win?
Is this good for the 500?
Is this good for the IRL?

[Railbird]

"The concentration required for driving on an oval is, in some respects, more demanding because the races are longer and the speeds are so much higher," he said. "It's made more difficult because you are passing a lot of cars consistently through the race. From my experience in testing, I've no worries about the proximity of the walls, but I haven't hit one yet. Maybe then I'll change my mind!"

[frodo13]

I can't wait to see Indy 500 on May![*]http://te1tmb.freeservers.com/images/dogg.jpg

[sf-indy-fan]

Originally posted by Ted:
<STRONG>http://www.autosport.com/newsitem.cf...7650&series=18

Another cherrypicker?</STRONG>

So, let me get this straight: Jim Clark was a great Indy champion, but this guy is just a cherry-picker, right? Hmmm...

[Ted]

Johnny Herbert and Jim Clark in the same breath?

[GrandView]

Originally posted by sf-indy-fan:


So, let me get this straight: Jim Clark was a great Indy champion, but this guy is just a cherry-picker, right?

Jim Clark was a great Indy champion, and by the generally accepted definition of the term, he was also a cherry-picker.



GV

[slinger]

Herbert has actual credentials.I don't mind this sort of cherrypicker and the 500 has always welcomed them.Some people may try to make something out of this,but Herbert in the 500 does not make some sort of political statement.All it does is say the 500 is still the 800 pound gorilla of the racing world.

I'm very curious to see what car he drives,if in fact this really happens.I guess we'll all stay tuned.

[bkeske]

Originally posted by GrandView:
<STRONG>Jim Clark was a great Indy champion, and by the generally accepted definition of the term, he was also a cherry-picker.



GV</STRONG>

Lets not forget, the Indy 500 is an invitational race. If Herbert gets in, then it must be at the blessing of Tony G. No different than others years except when the 25/...... well you know.

[Jim Wilke]

I believe the invitations go to the teams, not the drivers. It would seem likely that Herbert already has a deal in his pocket with a team that has such an invitation.

[bkeske]

Exactly. And I would hardly call a team to be invited a 'cherry picking' situation. It still has the acceptance of TG.

There have been many drivers over the years to run at Indy, but none of the other 'Indy' series races.

[SteveH]

When Jim Clark raced at Indy 63 - 67), wasn't Indy considered as part of world drivers championship - or whatever it was called? If so, would be hard to call him a cherry picker as he earned points towards his series for Indy participation. Same with Graham Hill and Jackie Stewart.

[ensign14]

The Indy 500 was counted as a round in the F1 World Championship from 1950-1960. This was because in the early years all the Grands Prix were in Europe and it needed a race on another continent to count as a 'world' title. By 1960 GPs had been held in the States, Argentina and even Morocco so the 500 was not needed.

As you will all have noticed, ironically the 500 ceased to be a Championship round just as the Eurpoeans became interested.

As for Herbert - he was a superb driver, but was never the same after someone forced him off at Brands in 1988 and shattered his legs. Even then, good enough to win 2 more GPs than Eddie Cheever...

[SteveH]

thanka, couldn't recall the years involved. The thre driver I cited all competed mid to late 60's.