Blowing it all up

[BSJracing]

Among the posts I've read recently here most seem centered around how the IRL must change or die. I just don't see that.

The IRL offers some of the best, if not the best racing in the world, 2002 was an anomoly I believe, because it quite possibly offered the best oval racing ever presented anywhere. Sure there was going to be a fall off for 2003, 2003 would have had to have been perfect to even compare. ESPN did a survey recently that showed the IRL to be growing and I believe slow and steady growth has been occuring since 1996 or the league would have died years ago. Am I looking at the world through Rose Colored glasses? No, I believe attendance is looking better, but I know that TV ratings need to improve. I'm not going to start off on some tangent about marketing this or not marketing that. The whole point of this thread is that there is growth, and to blow up the product and start all over to try to appeal to what the current US market wants is crazy, because in America these days, what America wants changes with the winds. One year being down does not warrant tearing it up and starting over....end rant.....

[jZink]

Meeting the needs of the customers isn't important to the survival of business??

I've seen some far-fetched posts here but yours denies a few hundred years of supply and demand business rules.

[MichaelP]

Originally posted by jZink
Meeting the needs of the customers isn't important to the survival of business??

I've seen some far-fetched posts here but yours denies a few hundred years of supply and demand business rules.

Agreed. If what America wants changes with the wind, then so must the product. Case in point, people aren't gonna keep shooting film cameras because Kodak still wants to sell film - in 5 years digital will have at least 90% of the market.

Where is the growth in TV ratings? Or public awareness? A few more butts in the seats at some races does not constitute growth and it overlooks the declining ticket sales at the 500. Flame me if you want, but there were a lot of empty seats in the tower terrace this year (and I'm not just referring to the ones above the suites).

You say you're not wearing rose colored glasses, but an ESPN survey (more than likely commissioned by the IRL) is not a stat to sell your product on. Media coverage and TV ratings are - and both are lacking and/or declining.

You're optimism and the reality do not seem to be correlating.

[IndyJim]

Put on the best open wheel racing, set up a series with a set of rules that allows all teams access to the equipment, and have a big party every year called the Indy 500.

That is what the IRL has been doing since 1996, and why they have grown as much as they have, and why ABC has a signed contract thru 2007, and why Honda and Toyota have come on board.

The incredible racing we have witnessed the last few years has been amazing. The teams have done a great job, the mechanical breakdowns are at an all time low in this sport.

There are way too many CART only fans out there on the internet who are understandibly crying in their coffee, so you have to take a grain of salt with what is said when it comes to knocking the IRL.

It has always been about Indy, and always will be. Those that did not believe that will perish "ben franklin"

[MichaelP]

Originally posted by IndyJim
That is what the IRL has been doing since 1996, and why they have grown as much as they have, and why ABC has a signed contract thru 2007, and why Honda and Toyota have come on board.

Again, where is this growth? How can you overlook tv ratings and declining 500 ticket sales and say the league is growing? Saying it is, doesn't make it so. T&H only means Tony doesn't have to fund as many teams because someone else is doing it now.

I love the 500 as much as life itself, but I won't let my love distort my perspective of reality.

[IndyJim]

Ok, open your eyes and observe the growth.

1995 - IRL exists only on paper
2004 - IRL exists as premier open wheel series in this country. 17 solid dates, league has no financial issues making next years season in doubt. 3 engine manufactures, 2 chassis manufacturers, every race on live tv.

If you don't see the growth, I can't help you. TV ratings have been beat to death. Other than Tiger Woods and Nascar, all TV sports and TV in general are down overall due to the incredible number of choices available. The World Series this year was the third lowest rated series in history.

Like I said before, as an IRL fan, are you prepared to accept you are a fan of a relatively niche sport? Can you live with 17 or more open wheel indy car events that have you on the edge of your seat? The cost to attend these events is very affordable for the average person compared to other entertainment choices. I spent $50 for my son and I to attend MIS for two days. I spent $90 last year to see Paul McCartney.

I am, and I enjoy it. The fact that 100 more people buy Britney Spears albums rather than Al DiMeola does not make my enjoyment of his flaming guitar licks one bit less, and the same goes for my choice of salad dressings and racing series.

Let the bean counters worry about the rest, and enjoy the great racing.

[MicroRacer]

I've been the one of the biggest IRL fans, but I have reached my limit. I've spent more money on the IRL than I can think off, but next year my money is going to Putmanville, and the TH Action track.

Last year I had one remaining hope that the IRL could turn around, but after the hiring’s of the Panther team, I no longer possess such hope. The IRL is doing exactly the same things that used to turn me off about CART.

I know longer care about the supposed top echeloned of open wheel racing any more and I got to say for the first time in my life I have no enthusiasm for next years Indy 500.

I say this as a former Crew member and the 50th to sign up on this board.

[Feed 'em Beans T]

I don't believe anything necessarily broken. However, I long for the day when the IndyCar series surrounds an Indy 500 that showcases as much racing talent and personality as this one did:

1993 Indy 500 Drivers (sorted by finish):

Emerson Fittipaldi
Arie Luyendyk
Nigel Mansell
Raul Boesel
Mario Andretti
Scott Brayton
Scott Goodyear
Al Unser Sr.
Teo Fabi
John Andretti
Stefan Johansson
Al Unser Jr.
Jimmy Vasser
Kevin Cogan
Davy Jones
Eddie Cheever
Gary Bettenhausen
Hiro Matsushita
Stephan Gregoire
Tony Bettenhausen
Willy T. Ribbs
Didier Theys
Dominic Dobson
Jim Crawford
Lyn St. James
Geoff Brabham
Robby Gordon
Roberto Guerrero
Jeff Andretti
Paul Tracy
Stan Fox
Nelson Piquet
Danny Sullivan

F1 world champions, F1 rejects, multiple 500 Champions, IndyCar series champions, dirt racers, ride-buyin' road racin' furriners, an African American and a chick.

Cheers,

Beans

[MichaelP]

Originally posted by IndyJim
2004 - IRL exists as premier open wheel series in this country. 17 solid dates, league has no financial issues making next years season in doubt. 3 engine manufactures, 2 chassis manufacturers, every race on live tv.

Just like CART in 1995 but without the ratings, attendance, and public awareness.

[jZink]

Originally posted by MichaelP
Just like CART in 1995 but without the ratings, attendance, and public awareness.

You're quite right Michael and Indy centricity blinds the league from the vision needed to grow outside of 16th and Georgetown. In some respects, the 500 has become an anchor to growth.

[bondo]

If they do blow it up, will liability be the primary factor? They wont blow it up just to get a fractional increase in ratings. The IRL is at a crossroads. TG has shown he will do what it takes to protect the 500, and the sport.
He could do nothing, not likley. He could make small changes and hope for the best, but the liability risk could still kill open wheel racing. Or, he can do something revolutionary. And since we havent heard a peep from anyone, who knows where this goes.

[Doc Austin]

, moan, , whine. Pick, pick, pick. Harp, cry, wail.


Get a life people. You can celebrate what's good or you can be miserable. Some of you probably don't even like good sex.

And that's the edited version.

[MichaelP]

Originally posted by Doc Austin
Get a life people. You can celebrate what's good [/B]

Which is why I'm not going to any IRL races next year outside of Indy. I'm gonna go hike some canyons instead.

[Doc Austin]

Originally posted by MichaelP
[B]Which is why I'm not going to any IRL races next year outside of Indy.

Legitimate criticisms of a series are always welcome, if indeed you are a fan of that series

I'm gonna go hike some canyons instead.

you out west? Awesome, but I can't take it when it's cold. Loved Grand Junction. Got a great story about a 3.2 bar, twelve pitchers of beer and the ladies room, but this ain't the place for it.

It's really good to get out and sweat. Today is my 50 mile day and I'm kind of sitting here trying to find a reason to avoid it. I just need to take my beating and get it over with.

As far as the canyons, there is one in Grand Mesa National Park (the one outside of Grand Junction) that I'm planning to base jump this summer. Yeah, I'll probably get killed, but it will be more fun that dying here from all the doom and gloom.

[IndyJim]

"THE IRL is just like CART in 1995".

This is the only remaining battle cry of the 1996-2003 CART only fans.

They went from doubting the IRL would turn a wheel to witnessing today a 17 race season, a solid consistent schedule, 3 engine makers, 2 chassis makers, and the best open wheel racing we have witnesses in quite a while.

How do they justify the above? Easy, "the IRL is just like CART in 1995". It is the last gasp before they and their beliefs go under the water for the last time. If it makes it easier, hey, no problem.


Being an IRL fan is like life guys. You can find and focus on the weaknesses, or you can focus on the positives. It is the hardest thing to do, believe me, I am as guilty as anyone about telling my wife the one thing she didn't do, like the dishes, and forgetting the fact she hauled the kids all over the place, went shopping for groceries, and made it home in time for the Direct TV installer to hook up my new big screen.

Be a fan, enjoy the great racing, and don't spend so much time on something you don't enjoy, as it will rob you of time you could spend on things you really do enjoy.

And if you don't think going from a series on paper in 1995 to the IRL of today is growth, you are just lying to yourself, plain and simple.

But us IRL fans have dealt with that since 96 and we will till the sun goes down.