Interesting quote from Graham Rahal

[billf]

Rahal, the 17-year-old son of 1986 500 winner Bobby Rahal, said racing Indy cars doesn't interest him, even though his father owns a team.

Those guys are insane on ovals," he said. "It takes someone equally as insane, and I'm not at that point.

It's official, IRL drivers are insane. I suspected as such. I wonder when Rahal will be at "that point"? From the article, it sounds like Graham is targeting Formula 1. Ryan Briscoe is also mentioned. I'd like to see Ryan get a ride for the 500.

Link

[cheeseczar]

Insanely great!

[OWNUT]

Does this kid really think he is going to make it into F1. I could be wrong, but has he really done anything to expect he will be in F1. He thinks the IRL drivers are insane. Has he really watched an F1 race lately. They are great drivers, but something tells me they are nuts also.

[jetdoc]

I wonder when Rahal will be at "that point"?

As soon as Daddy's MONEY says he's that insane!!!!

[Horrible Hagar]

Does this kid really think he is going to make it into F1. I could be wrong, but has he really done anything to expect he will be in F1. He thinks the IRL drivers are insane. Has he really watched an F1 race lately. They are great drivers, but something tells me they are nuts also.

It's hard to say. He is relatively young, and he was a front runner in the Star Mazda series, which was impressive given how many cars were in that field. Mind you, he didn't show awesome speed, but he managed to stay out of trouble and collect a lot of points and podiums. Kinda sounds like his old man

But if he was serious about F1 that would be at least 3-4 years down the road at the earliest and there is a lot of learning still left to do. He would have to leave his Dad's team and go to Europe, and that could make or break him.

[Booster]

It's why I respect Indycar drivers so much. Those "guys" may be insane, but there is a "gal" that's insane too. I've heard this from other drivers also, Indycars take a lot of guts, and some racers just don't have it.

[Chitownfan]

In other words, he's afraid.

[fatlantic]

Or smart

[Cant_hit_apex]

In a world of pre-programmed sound bites, a little honesty is refreshing.

[Jamski]

Thought he looked pretty good in the A1GP race at Laguna Seca...though I must admit to being puzzled he was driving Lebanon's car...Lebanese roots notwithstanding...

[indycool]

Graham has made similar comments in the past and he's not doing himself any favors in his future marketplace. It just doesn't do him any good. His dad fields a woman in the IRL who's six years older than him and she doesn't wuss.

Here's a 17-year-old with the great wisdom to say that 90-plus years of oval track racing is "insane." Who's sponsoring him? Mark C.?

Reminds me of the first F1 race at Indy and Eddie Irvine was mouthing off about they shouldn't run there, they go so fast, all these walls around, etc. That was the same year a 19-year-old American college girl named Sarah Fisher hauled her butt around the oval at a qualifying average of 225 or so and she didn't wuss, either.

Can you imagine what A.J., Foyt would say to Graham's comments if they were made by one of his kids?

[MacSparty]

Can you imagine what A.J., Foyt would say to Graham's comments if they were made by one of his kids?

I don't think A.J. would say anything. He'd slap that kid across the head to spin him around, then boot him in the butt.

[Field of 33]

Some people just don't have what it takes. Graham is obviously one of those people. More power to him. At least he isn't taking a spot away from someone who does have the kahunas to run at speed just because he has a name.

[sf-indy-fan]

I don't really see it as a put-down of the IRL to say that the drivers are "insane." Sounds more like admiration to me, kind of like Rusty's comments. I sure hope folks aren't seeing it as a put-down because the kid's last name is Rahal, because that's just plain dumb. Water under the bridge and all that.

[Broadway Joe]

It is insane.

Isn't that the attraction?