Ims/ Gm

[Dizz Fan]

With GM away from the Speedway as an engine supplier, what happens with all of the support vehicles at the races.

The saftey crew, pace cars, hsopitality etc...The pure # of vehicles I've seen in all the years at the speedway, are always brand new, and always (if I recall) GM.

If IMS has to flip the bill for all of these, it could literally be millions on it's own.

Not a doom thread, just a question or thought.

I could see Honda supplying pace cars, hospitality, but a Honda safety truck, or tow truck just seems...odd.

I've always thought the $$ the George family/ IMS invests in collateral equipment has to be staggering, I hope this part dosen't change for them.


Dizz Fan

[Turn13]

Pretty expensive pace car, but what a beaut

[Plectraholica]

I dont see it changing with the "good ole boys" still running there in August. Im sure that you will continue to see pacecars, tow trucks et al remaining at IMS.

[Brantoc]

Where do I buy a IRL Safty Vehicle?? They look cool, and would be nice thing to show off around town!

[SamC]

All IMS vehicles are part of the deal to supply the pace car. In the old days, they were replaced every year.

Wrongly, IMHO, the IMS has stuck with GM vehicles during the IRL era. Won't buy D-C or FoMoCo, because they don't participate, and won't honor partners Honda and Toyota because of the thier "foreign" status (Toyota trucks, BTW, are made in INDIANA)

Obviously the 06 pace car and all of the accompanying other vehicles, should be Hondas.

[Tara]

I have to agree I think a Honda should be the 2006 Pace Car.

[flyingpylon]

[HerbieIsHere]

How about a snake bite!!

Viper Coupe 2006

[mstove]

All IMS vehicles are part of the deal to supply the pace car. In the old days, they were replaced every year.

Wrongly, IMHO, the IMS has stuck with GM vehicles during the IRL era. Won't buy D-C or FoMoCo, because they don't participate, and won't honor partners Honda and Toyota because of the thier "foreign" status (Toyota trucks, BTW, are made in INDIANA)

Obviously the 06 pace car and all of the accompanying other vehicles, should be Hondas.

I believe my Honda was made in Ohio.

[Doctorindy]

I believe my Honda was made in Ohio.

I've felt for a while now that since pretty much all the Hondas, etc. are built in the USA (Marysville, etc.) I have no problem with them as official vehicle status at Indianapolis.

[JoeBob]

Do they really need all of the courtesy vehicles?

They are a nice little bit of payola to the media, but when folks like Bruce Martin go wrapping them around trees....

[step33T]

Courtesy program has been on it's way out anyway, so that won't be a big deal.

My understanding is these are GM's vehicles. IMS just has to give them back. The safety vehicles would be a different deal, since they are all customized for their tasks. I doubt those would be changed immediately.

[WhirlinGraphics]

Wrongly, IMHO, the IMS has stuck with GM vehicles during the IRL era.

Yeah, it sucks when companies give money to support Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy Racing League!

[Rick Jones]

In 1996 the pace car was a Dodge Viper and I believe the support vehicles as well were Dodges. The cars that raced at Indy in '96 were running Fords and Menard engines. When Olds essentially became the main engine supplier for the IRL in 1997, IMS and the Indy 500 became a forum to promote GM products with the pace car and support vehicle programs. with GM leaving, I wouldn't mind seeing a variety of brands supply the pace cars and support vehicles once again. The new Mustang would be nice or the new Viper. It would do the Ford and Chrysler executives well to be hanging around the pits and garage at Indy for a month of May. It may open their eyes to what many of us already know, the Indy 500 remains the greatest race in the world!
Rick

[Rosco]

In 1996 the pace car was a Dodge Viper and I believe the support vehicles as well were Dodges. The cars that raced at Indy in '96 were running Fords and Menard engines. When Olds essentially became the main engine supplier for the IRL in 1997, IMS and the Indy 500 became a forum to promote GM products with the pace car and support vehicle programs.

What was Davy Jones running in 96?