Let talk about Roger Bailey (IPS)

[HerbieIsHere]

He has got to be one happy camper. He is getting the teams to join and seems to have a tremendous handle on the series. Most folks here thought the IPS would be a disaster, yet that doesn't seem to be the case. Whatever he is doing, he is doing it right!!!!!

[mattndallas]

The IPS is CRITICAL to the survival of the original goals of the IRL.

USACers need a clear "road to Indy".

IPS is the bridge from USAC to Indy. Formerlly, those rapid waters had to be traversed by alternative methods (with a hefty toll). The IPS makes it affordable, and therefore largely open to anyone with talent.

[Fueler]

Roger Bailey is (and always has been) a class act. He knows the racers, understands them, and they trust and believe in him. When CART lost him, they lost more than simply the director of the Indy Lights series... they lost a mature, competent, and stabilizing hand at the helm as well as a trusted advisor to sponsors, promoters, owners and drivers. The IRL is lucky to have him aboard.

[trow]

You know fueler, I had that impression of Bailey. He seems like a leader who can wear both hats, well. Those kinds of folks are rare but a jewel to have as part of any team. I'm glad you are able to give us "mushrooms" an idea of how good this guy is and the impact his addition will have on IPS, as well as the IRL.

The IPS added Roaquin Motorsports I see, they made it a point to say the support received from Bailey and Tony factored in to their decision process.

[Peter Olivola]

If you see the IRL as the only possible next step for a midget/sprint/sc driver then I can understand why you would say this, but there have been well affordable alternative steps to bridge the gap for a very long time and many have taken them to their advantage.

I would suggest, however, that the IPS will rapidly become just another rung on the rear engined/road racing driver's ladder to the top as they will arrive with a much more higly developed ability to work with the equipment and communicate effectively with the crew. The midget/sprint/sc drivers will continue to have an uphill battle and, I suspect, the complaints will continue as well.

Originally posted by mattndallas:
<STRONG>The IPS is CRITICAL to the survival of the original goals of the IRL.

USACers need a clear "road to Indy".

IPS is the bridge from USAC to Indy. Formerlly, those rapid waters had to be traversed by alternative methods (with a hefty toll). The IPS makes it affordable, and therefore largely open to anyone with talent.</STRONG>

[jandj]

Why would a driver that plans a career in series' consisting of road courses want to compete in an all oval feeder? I just don't see why drivers who's sights are CART or higher would have an interest in the IPS.

[Peter Olivola]

Why did sprint/midget/sc drivers go to NASCAR? Remember, the answer to any question that begins with the word "why" is money. When a driver is finished with his two years in Barber and two years in Atlantics and still can't land a CART ride he'll do what he has to to keep his career moving. Many times that means changing series just to avoid being stamped over the hill by staying in one too long. (See Empringham, David and a whole laundry list of driver's who hung on in the ladders too long.)

Originally posted by jandj:
<STRONG>Why would a driver that plans a career in series' consisting of road courses want to compete in an all oval feeder? I just don't see why drivers who's sights are CART or higher would have an interest in the IPS.</STRONG>

[jandj]

Good point. I guess what I'd like to see ( as an IRL fan ) is a goodly number of teams in the IPS have moving up to the IRL as a goal , ( or being aligned with / owned by current IRL teams ). It would be to their advantage to have a driver from an oval discipline they could take with them. As you said , $$ is always the issue.If this scenario comes to pass , then the short trackers would benefit , IMHO .

[ovals rule]

Originally posted by Peter Olivola:
<STRONG>Why did sprint/midget/sc drivers go to NASCAR? Remember, the answer to any question that begins with the word "why" is money. When a driver is finished with his two years in Barber and two years in Atlantics and still can't land a CART ride he'll do what he has to to keep his career moving. Many times that means changing series just to avoid being stamped over the hill by staying in one too long. (See Empringham, David and a whole laundry list of driver's who hung on in the ladders too long.)

</STRONG>

Just wanted to thank PO for not "POing" me with his tone. Glad to see you playing nice. Your opinion is welcome here when presented in the correct tone.