So now we are designating people as "elitist snobs"??

[shawn67]

Because:

1.) Some people believe that USAC dirvers are not "entitled" to have a shot in the IRL.

2.) some people believe the car owners are the best judges of the racing talent pool available.

3.) some people believe the IRL is doing a terrific job in achieving it's goals- Lowering the costs of fielding a racing team, keeping the Indy 500 the preeminent open wheeled autoracing event in the western hemispere, having an enjoyable series in an oval track environment.

4.) some people believe that the American drivers slogan of the IRL was nothing more than a smokescreen and are fine with it.

5.) some people believe that if a driver is able to hustle some personal sponsorships for himself more power to him!

6.) some people believe that a front engined non-ground effects car has about as much relationship to a current IRL spec car as a John Deere riding lawnmower.

7.) some people believe that the majority of the American public could care less about USAC but those same people do care about the Indy 500 and could, if marketed properly, become fans of the IRL.

If I'm a "elitist snob" fine but I also believe I'm the type of person Tony G is marketing to.

Cheers
Shawn

[ January 21, 2002: Message edited by: shawn67 ]

[Racemind]

Are we to assume that you are one of these people?

I'm in agreement with you, I think on every point. I like watching USAC races, but I'm not crying when they choose to drive taxicabs. Formula cars are my favorite, and I see no reason to change the aero or engine configuration to accomodate the USAC guys.

[ January 21, 2002: Message edited by: Racemind ]

[Dr. Austin]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by shawn67:
[QB]Because:

" Some people believe"

I believe that Tony George is doing almost everything right. I like the direction that the IRL is headed in, but certainly there are issues that really need to be addressed. However, I am willings to give Tony george some more time. It took CART 22 years to get themselves into their position, and they took all of OW racing down with them. Tony had to start with what he could get, and only six years later, the IRL looks the more likely of the two to survive.

And who is Tony marketing to? Anyone who loves wheel to wheel, backs to the wall, 220+mkph hardcore action, that's who.

[lone_groover]

I'd respectfully suggest that there be clearly differentiated categories of elitist snobs - or at least that they be stratified into levels of elitism.

[rev-ed]

Originally posted by lone_groover:
<STRONG>I'd respectfully suggest that there be clearly differentiated categories of elitist snobs - or at least that they be stratified into levels of elitism.</STRONG>

My suggestion is that we stop worrying about classifying race fans.

[CamKing]

Originally posted by shawn67:
<STRONG>
If I'm a "elitist snob" fine but I also believe I'm the type of person Tony G is marketing to.

Cheers
Shawn
</STRONG>

I don't think TG is marketing the IRL to people who say "Cheers", that's CART's market.

Cheers

[carl s]

Originally posted by CamKing:
<STRONG>

I don't think TG is marketing the IRL to people who say "Cheers", that's CART's market.

Cheers</STRONG>

CamKing,
You're all over the track this AM. And I do believe you're working your way up to a nomination for "quip of the day"

Gotta get goin to the "Big & Tall" and exchange these Holiday gifts.
carl s
Indio, CA

[step33T]

There is arrogance and elitism in EVERY form of racing, and at EVERY race track on this planet.

The UMP modified guys look down on the street stock guys. The Sprint car guys look down on the modified guys. The late model guys and the sprint car guys look down on each other. The WoO guys look down on EVERYONE running dirt. The pavement guys look down on the dirt guys....... and so on and so forth.

Take your pick. You can find your elitist anywhere you want.

Frankly, I'm trying to become an elitist snob, but I haven't yet found the proper financing

[CamKing]

Originally posted by carl s:
<STRONG>

CamKing,
You're all over the track this AM. And I do believe you're working your way up to a nomination for "quip of the day"

</STRONG>

I was the punch-line from the "quip of the day" last week, so I'm trying hard to be on the other end for a change.

[Danny Noonan]

Until USAC decides to change the types of cars it runs, then we probably see very few drivers going from USAC into the IRL or even IRIPS. But I doubt if USAC really has a desire to change a successful forumla just to get more drivers into open-wheel. After all, USA is arguably as popular as the IRL.

At the same time, it's certainly not TG's job to make the road from USAC to the IRL easier. Although he has indirectly done that by going all ovals, lowering prices and starting the IRIPS.

[ January 21, 2002: Message edited by: Danny Noonan ]

[shawn67]

So Camking now you've figured a person's demographics and lifestory by a one word signature?!?! I met Tony George at the Indianapolis 500 Opening Luncheon at the Indianapolis Athletic Club a few years back. I talked to Mr.George for about 5 minutes about who he wanted the IRL to appeal to.

I stand by my initial post
Cheers
Shawn

[ January 21, 2002: Message edited by: shawn67 ]

[tom91]

Originally posted by Danny Noonan:
<STRONG>Until USAC decides to change the types of cars it runs, then we probably see very few drivers going from USAC into the IRL or even IRIPS. But I doubt if USAC really has a desire to change a successful forumla just to get more drivers into open-wheel. After all, USA is arguably as popular as the IRL.

At the same time, it's certainly not TG's job to make the road from USAC to the IRL easier. Although he has indirectly done that by going all ovals, lowering prices and starting the IRIPS.

[ January 21, 2002: Message edited by: Danny Noonan ]</STRONG>

I suspect you will see quite a few USAC vets in the IRIPS this year, just as there were in the IRL's first couple seasons. Whether the door between sprints/midgets and the IRL swings wide open will depend on the success of the guys who make the jump in the first couple of years.

Trouble is, USAC has always been satisfied with a moderate amount of success. If they really wanted to make their series "The Starting Line for Champions", they'd add a division of winged, rear-engined cars to prep drivers for the IRL. They'd invest in building tracks in new markets to raise the series' profile. But they never seem to do much of anything.

Now that IRIPS is in the works, Tony's done about everything he can to improve the odds for USAC drivers in the IRL. And I suspect we'll see more guys make the transition in the future. But it's up to USAC to meet the IRL halfway.

[Racewriter]

Originally posted by tom91:
<STRONG>

Trouble is, USAC has always been satisfied with a moderate amount of success. If they really wanted to make their series "The Starting Line for Champions", they'd add a division of winged, rear-engined cars to prep drivers for the IRL. </STRONG>

Actually, they have done this, more than once. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I remember USAC having an FF2000 series just a couple of years ago, and they sanctioned, along with the SCCA, the Super Vee series. Both died...

[Peter Olivola]

FF2k is alive and well and under the exclusive SCCA banner for 2002. Super Vee died for lack of manufacturer support. It had always been a heavily subsidized series by VW. When VW's U.S. fortunes went south in the U.S. and the companies focus shifted the money stopped flowing. Without the subsidies there were more cost efficient forms of racing, a lesson that is repeating itself at an even higher level.

Originally posted by Racewriter:
<STRONG>

Actually, they have done this, more than once. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I remember USAC having an FF2000 series just a couple of years ago, and they sanctioned, along with the SCCA, the Super Vee series. Both died...</STRONG>

[lone_groover]