It’s been a mixed bag for the IndyCar Series since Dan Wheldon’s death in the season-ending race in Las Vegas.
On the upside:
Ed Carpenter announced he'll field his own team next season with a three-year sponsorship commitment from Fuzzy's
Ultra Premium Vodka.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan signed a deal with Honda and said it will attempt to run a full season in 2012.
Team Penske resigned Ryan Briscoe, Helio Castroneves and Will Power.
Chip Ganassi Racing recently announced that rookie Charlie Kimball will remain with its IndyCar program, having concluded
a new multi-year agreement with his sponsor, Novo Nordisk.
KV Racing Technology signed with Chevrolet.
IndyCar last week announced a September race in China.
Lotus has finally nailed down a couple of deals to put its engine on the grid next year.
But it’s far from smooth sailing for the series, and its CEO, Randy Bernard.
The 2012 schedule announcement—or lack thereof—has to be slowing down sponsorship and ticket sales for next year.
Bernard told IBJ in September that he hoped to reveal the schedule in October.
Now, sources inside the series say the schedule likely won’t be unveiled until after the Wheldon investigation is finished
and it is determined whether high-banked oval tracks are suitable for the open-wheel cars.
Not every team is finding sponsors to be plentiful. Sarah Fisher Racing, for one, is searching for both a sponsor and a driver
after Carpenter left and Dollar General drove off to NASCAR. The team’s difficulties came on the heels of its first
victory at Kentucky.
Series officials admit there are problems with the 2012 race in Baltimore, as the promoter there struggles to cover his bills
from the 2011 event.
And, perhaps most troubling for the series, questions have begun to arise about Bernard’s future.
Fan are complaining about the direction of the sport, and open-wheel insiders have begun to whisper that the Hulman-George
family is questioning Bernard’s leadership. Bernard, before and after Wheldon’s death, has insisted he is in IndyCar
for the long-term. In 2012, he’ll be entering his third year of a five-year deal.
Despite Bernard’s insistence to the contrary, questions about his future with the open-wheel series can’t help
him sell the sport.
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You left out the 2012 NEW car is under total scrutiny as it's unstable and slow on the centerpiece oval at Indianapolis. Cars were supposed to be delivered in 4 weeks time...
PLUS, the condemnation of the 9 year old Dallara-plane chassis they just retired after the Las Vegas race places the ENTIRE sport in a jeopardizing LIMBO for 2012.
I'm happy to reveal that the Hulman George crew that is running this sport is in total control. The failure to succeed or fail is entirely on their watch.
Let's see if Randy can pull another rabbit out of his hat now....
Typical Indy...always an excuse and the fault of someone else when it is all family controlled anyway.
I thought all key metrics were on the upswing and everything was smelling like fresh flowers.
If Randy was smart he should already be looking...but then, maybe he was when he said if they didn't get the numbers in 'Vegas he'd leave.
Might have been a bit of fore-telling in that after all.
Wonder what IZOD is thinking about all this. It so such stability and growth!
Why, some of the inner-workings of the successful Indy Car Series are more exciting than watching the same spec car pound around lap after lap after lap.
It would certainly beat the 'whispers of insiders.' LOL.
My take on Anthony's story. RIP RB.
It is perfectly understandable, and that includes from sponsors, that a schedule would be SLIGHTLY delayed - we are only 2 weeks past "October" - while the series investigates Wheldons incident. No one is worried if it takes a little longer to make sure.
And clearly this reporter HAS talked with Mr. Bernard in the past - actual journalism would dictate you would do so here, especially when you are posting such rubbish.
Likely, Mr. Bernard has figured out the author "m.o." and rightfully now refuses his calls.
LOL
Brian Barnhart has made more mistakes, miscalculations and misjudgments than probably any chief steward in the history of motor racing. But he also remains.
Bernard and Barnhart should have been fired long ago. The root of the problem is Mari George and her daughters's who by keeping these clowns on and managing the series the way they do, have annihilated all credibility in a once proud and dominant American sport.
"Remove the George's save IndyCar"
Even under a best case scenario, INDYCAR will lose a minimum of 9 tracks (Kansas, Watkins Glen, Richmond, Chicagoland, Homestead, Motegi, Loudon, Milwaukee & Kentucky) since Bernard took the helm in March 2010. Add in the possible additional losses of Baltimore, Texas and Las Vegas and someone could make up a pretty competitive schedule just from recent INDYCAR castaways. If all of this is the definition of Randy Bernard doing a "good job", then how much worse would a "bad job" be? If the H-G family and/or board has a collective brain in their heads, they SHOULD be looking at all these facts and at least "whispering" about them.
Modern day indycar is the IRL, just with former CART owners and drivers dominating the series. With the abandonment of ovals and strret courses, the supreme commander Randy might learn a thing or two by reading the WHite Paper, what the heck, they owe the legacy of CCART and CCWS for its very own survival today.
Ironically, Randy's ploy ended the real and true life of the series and the Indy 500 in all the race embodies, with a horrifying disaster less than ten minutes into "showtime."
DEATH.
That is what Randy Bernard ordered up, unwittingly perhaps but all too knowingly possible, in order to boost TV ratings and get the series some much needed exposure.
Ironic isn't it? Wheldon. Wheldon of them all, sans Patrick. Had it been Viso or Jakes, Mann or Meira, the tragic loss of young and vibrant life would be no less, but the overall impact on the sport would know not such severity of despair. Wheldon. For this reason and this reason alone, with leadership and vision that kills, Randy must be made available for alternative employment.
It does not matter so much know, anyhow. The sport is nigh long for life and shall not grow longer of tooth past two score.
"That is what Randy Bernard ordered up, unwittingly perhaps but all too knowingly possible, in order to boost TV ratings and get the series some much needed exposure."
You nailed it Burl. But you forgot to mention Bernard needed higher than 0.8 TV rating to save face and his job.
If only the investigation is as brutally honest. We all know what killed DW and it sure as heck wasn't his driving. Bernard still being in his post shows a man in denial or blissfully ignorant. I'm betting it's a combination of the two.
The HG's letting him remain there is simple stupidity.
Apparently all the paying ticket holders were refunded and I'm guessing the corporate suite holders were too.
Given IICS footed the bill at Las Vegas, and the total attendance was less than half the number of tickets handed out for free, I can't imagine it was by any means a success. Possibly the biggest failure in IICS history?
Disciple you're beyond arrogant claiming everyone else is incorrect. Foolish and pathetic.
I'm certain your outlandish claims and personal attacks would be different if you weren't hiding behind a computer screen and the self-important anonymous handle.
Jeremy Blackford
New York, NY
Name: Egor Bernstien
Born: Phoenix, Arizona
Age: 29
Height: 5â 1â
Weight: 102 lbs
Interests: Adult magazines, adult websites, LEGO, sleeping in small enclosed spaces
Achievements: Touched Randy Bernardâs hand once, saw Josie George from a distance, traveled 10 miles outside Phoenix
Goals: Bigger computer hard drive, a girlfriend (auto-inflate model with the new attachments)
Dislikes: People, children, small animals, peanuts
Tell us about yourself: I have a pet goldfish named Randy
No, cart and champcar failed. Indy Car has been turning wheels in its current incarnation for sixteen years. It will next season and will for years after that. Lumping Indy Car in with cart/champcar failure is weak at best.
"Disciple you're beyond arrogant claiming everyone else is incorrect. Foolish and pathetic."
A simple cursory glance at the majority of obsessed 'Indy Car is dead' hysteria in any Indy Car-related comment section here pretty much defines foolish and pathetic. Don't kill the messenger, Jeremy. I've been buying tickets in parts of six decades. I've got a right to my opinion.
"I'm certain your outlandish claims and personal attacks would be different if you weren't hiding behind a computer screen and the self-important anonymous handle."
Five minutes of easy research will tell you all you need to know. But would it not be a lot better to shelve the personal nonsense and concentrate on the topics?
Keep this in mind Disciple when you next criticize others.
"would it not be a lot better to shelve the personal nonsense and concentrate on the topics?"
You're kidding right.. when have you EVER put personal nonsense aside and concentrated on the topics.
You're as much a joke as the clowns you hold in such high regard at "IRL".
Do us a favor and stick to your own blog. ("Troll".. is that the expression?) Most everyone avoids it for a reason.. sadly I read it once, thought it was a satiric prank then realized you seriously believed your never-ending diatribe.
Do us a favor and crawl back to the hole you surfaced from.
Now let's get back to point. This is about Randy Bernard needing to tender his resignation because, amongst all of the amateur decisions, he now has managed to kill someone, making the vewry naieve assumption this sport was just bull-riding on wheels. He smells of blood. And ineptitude. Therefore, he must resign or be terminated from employment, never to manage automobile racing again. It is not, shall we say, his forte.
Adding to the misery, a series so poorly noticed, it takes the horrific death of a talented, compelling, handsome, articulate, fun, and nearly perfect representative of the sport and the Indy 500, to die in a terribly ill-conceived idea from Mr. Bernard to make national headlines.
This has nothing to do with CART, Disciple, and everything to do with the entirely semi-pro IndyCar Series. Mr. Bernard's forte is corn dog fairs and cowboys.
Wheldon's freak accident was a one in a million head shot into a catch fence that had the post on the wrong side of the fence. If I were unfortunate enough to belong to your simplistic, thought challenged group, my quaint angst would be focused on the design and construction of the fences.
Indy Car will already feature a new car in 2012, albeit compromised by owners. But, to your point, blaming Randy for Wheldon's death is almost as foolish as the witch hunt against 1.5 mile ovals. Neither position makes a lick of sense when intellect is added.
What is it Disciple, bad track or a fluke?
New car is a piece of crap too....who fostered that effort? The same idiots that approved the dangerous track and have been nursing a known crap flying car? Culpability rests squarely on Mr. bernards shoulders...
The new car has not yet turned a wheel in competition. How can you presume to dismiss it as a 'piece of crap' already?
Look, you should either learn to join the rest of the human race in late 2011, face reality and move on with your life, or, if you are unwilling to evolve, crawl back into the bitter little hole where your little friends reside and think of the next clever little slam that makes no sense. It's up to you.
Indy Car needs a leader not a promoter. They have neither.
Second, we all know and agree the catch fence killed Dan Wheldon. This point is not up for debate.
The severity of the crash which caused Dan Wheldon's death was heightened significantly by a series of callous decisions intended to boost TV ratings, attract media publicity, provide entertainment.
Secure Randy Bernard's employment.
If I recall Randy Bernard's intention was quote "carnage and wreaks".
A first year junior in a second rate law school would spend a day reviewing the circumstances surrounding this incident and determine cause and effect lay on Randy Bernard's shoulders.
If this is not a case of negligence, none exists.
There are sure to be law firms eagerly awaiting the outcome of IndyCar's internal investigation.
Can one of those seated in judgement tell me who would do a better job than Randy has over the past couple of years?
Me.
I worked in marketing for the county fair.
I went on to head the national donkey riders association which had no value until a private equity group invested. Which has since written down said investment as a loss.
I studied Business for Idiot's, Marketing for Idiot's, Promotion for Idiot's.
That's about it.
My bad. I guess I have the same experience and pedigree as Randy Bernard.
Maybe there isn't anyone out there more qualified.
Get real Disciple.
Let's allow the professionals to do their jobs.
In reality, you would be surprised.
My point was these qualifications amount to Randy Bernard's.
No more qualified than the average McD burger flipper? You called it.
Let's go fishing some time..
That is fairly typical behavior in the comment section of a blog, though.
Naturally, the cause of death for Dan Wheldon was blunt force trauma to the head caused by impactin the support pole of the catch fence. Of course. And it could happen under any number of circumstances while racing. Of course.
But the fact remains, the pump was primed, if you will, conditions were met, so to speak, for great enhancement of a major crash and Mr. Bernard is on record as suggesting this was ideal.
Any shred of common sense would suggest that placing more cars than participate in teh Indy 500, on a track that could fit inside the IMS, and running like or similar speeds in tighter quarters, was playing a motor racing version of Russian Roulette. Result: The tragic death of the one individual in the series who most exemplified and embodied the spirit of the Indy 500, with a level of emotion and enthusisam not seen in years. Death.
Well, Randy got the mass attention and increase in TV ratings he sought. And it took death.
Nobody is suggesting that was his hope or aim. Of course not. But he knew full well he was playing with that gun. This time it went off.
He is not of major league racing calibur. But then again, maybe what had become of the IndyCar Series is suitable for that level of incompetence. Maybe he fits right in with a semi-pro form of racing.
It is too bad the stakes are so high and the one mega-event it has in the arsenal is in such jeopardy at the hands of a rank amateur.
Mr. Bernard fostered the atmosphere that contributed to Mr. Wheldon's death. It was not illegal. It was unethical. For this reason his resignation should be tendered or face termination.
Of note, regarding the IndyCar Series, however:
"In an interview three months ago, Bernard promised IndyCar fans that 'danger will be an important element of the sport'.
And he predicted bringing in side-by-side restarts would mean 'carnage and wrecks'.
Quite a contrast. Quite a contrast, indeed.
Resignation or termination, Mr. Bernard. Indeed.
Do a search on Google. Hundreds if not thousands of blogs, articles, stories that are objective and accurately weigh the facts, will answer your question.
" but have also failed to offer any suggestion of possible replacement that might fit whatever criteria you have."
Patience.
I have a feeling the vociferous critics are about to be wrong again, keeping that record of near 100% inaccuracy intact for the seventeenth year in a row.
LOL
He indirectly caused a death. Others are equally culpable, but Mr. Barnard was the man who called the shots. He chose a path of death over relative safety. For this reason, he must be relieved of his duties and returned to the corn dog circuit.
As for the Ignorance is Bliss Disciple of IndyCar, I suggest remedial course work to bring up your comprehension skills to a base level, whereupon we can get you tutorial help from Robin Miller once he passes his coursework. Yes, it will be awhile, but the option is out there. Take a look at it.
Uh, I got that. I also understand that you and your six little buddies are sort of on your own little island, ferociously out of touch with reality.
"He indirectly caused a death. Others are equally culpable, but Mr. Barnard was the man who called the shots. He chose a path of death over relative safety. For this reason, he must be relieved of his duties and returned to the corn dog circuit."
Using that twisted illogic, we would also have to conclude that Mike Helton needs to be relieved of his duties. And every other leader of every other form of motorsport too. You see, racing is a dangerous business. Anyone can die anytime the green flag drops. That is something any actual racing fan understands completely. Relative safety = no racing. Kind of like the idiotic cart no-show you trumpeted earlier.
"As for the Ignorance is Bliss Disciple of IndyCar, I suggest remedial course work to bring up your comprehension skills to a base level, whereupon we can get you tutorial help from Robin Miller once he passes his coursework. Yes, it will be awhile, but the option is out there. Take a look at it."
I prefer sticking to the topic and just offering relevant commentary.
Everyone knows racing is dangerous. He took it a step beyond to irresponsible stupidity.
He is lucky, all of us are lucky, the fatalities did not total four.
There is simply no solution other than to relieve the man of his duties and return him to making sure corn dog booths are properly stationed around the fair grounds and upwind from the petting zoo and piggie races.
Again, I have merely called for his dismissal, warranted as it is. I have no inside baseball if decisions have or are being made in which the inept leader is to be replaced. One could only hope.
Again, his leadership goes beyond accepting death as a part of racing, it actively encourages the possibility.
"On some tracks, you can't get too close to the car in front so there's a gap in case something happens, but at Las Vegas everyone was so close to each other there is no planning, you're just reacting all the time."
Mr. Bernard placed the drivers in harm's way such they were competing in an unnatural environment and forced to be reactive, not proactive, in order to survive. Chilling.
The same Disciple who scolds everyone else to "shelve the personal nonsense" now calls someone else "stupid and clueless" just for daring to have a different opinion. As William Shakespeare wrote, "It is a good divine that follows his own instructions."
Krosnoff's death resulted in greater safety for street courses. Kenny Brack, Tony Renna, Ryan Briscoe and Mike Conway, who disintegrated their cars into catch fences (in years 2003, 2005 and 2010 respectively), what exact safety improvements were made, and what was learned and implemented by the IRL to help reduce the high frequency of IRL cars into fences?
Yes Mr. Disciple, they did NOTHING except deny that there was a pattern....that's gross negligence. And you want to say the fence caused the Wheldon death....how come?
This begs the question, would it be not out of the reach of possibility for Mr. Bernard to face criminal charges, especially if spectators are maimed or killed in the quest for higher ratings and attendance? He has gone on record stating the "danger" and "carnage" element is manifest. He contrived a situation that has already contributed to the death of a popular young star. I'm not a legal scholar, but it sure seems negligent at best.
And Disciple, your "road racer" comment is intellectually bankrupt. While you may have that opinion and are entitled to it, the idea is both weak and irrelevant in the face of contrary results to include the very Indy 500 Champion we now mourn.
Better at understanding the "unnatural" oval racing environment that contributed to a death would be to assess the rules, specifications, and manipulations of each to further along an outcome that exacerabated the "danger" and "carnage" type of atmosphere in IndyCar racing. A cause and effect analysis as well as a historical background investigation to include review of the decision making process that led up to the Vegas race and overall type of racing we have seen on the smaller ovals is in order. That is much better and helpful than your childish and irrelevant "road racer" remark which serves no purpose other than to make you feel better, Disciple. Neener Neener Who is Keener's? will not solve the matter and only serve to make you look uninterested and immature.
I advance you place your passions aside for a more disinterested and logical review of the series apparent miscalculations which have led, directly or indirectly, in death in the quest for notice. And that is not a good thing, Disciple. Not a good thing at all.
Look, I enjoy these cockamamie conspiracy theories as much as the next guy, and Lord knows Indy Car appreciates your undying attention, but seriously...use your brain for a change.
Another stellar job by the IRL crew!
Keep up the cockamamie conspiracy theories, Chief. They are actually quite entertaining.
Earlier this year a reputable investment firm contacted Mr. Bernard intending to discuss an investment in the Indycar Series, as well as participating teams to assist with the cost of the new car, aero-kits, series expansion, etc. An initial investment of several hundred million dollars was then under consideration. They had no interest in IMS or the Indianapolis 500.
Approaching Mr. Bernard was by no means an arbitrary matter. More than seven months was committed to researching every facet of Indycar's organization, to determine if it may qualify for investment, and preparing a strategy capable of resurrecting Indycar. The team behind this initiative included highly experienced people in motorsports, business, finance, marketing and brand development.
Mr. Bernard was notified of the firms interest in Indycar and asked to sign a confidentiality agreement, as is commonplace. Mr. Bernard flatly declined. Less sensitive information was then shared, including the capital amount under consideration for investment, an offer to assist in the negotiation of television rights - confident of surpassing what was then in discussion with ABC. Global sponsors were in the wings.
For some unknown reason Mr. Bernard refused to speak with the investment firm. At no time did he speak with a representative. Nor was Mr. Bernard available when a call scheduled by his own assistant, was made by the CEO of the investment firm. In itself this represented a lack of professionalism.
A letter written by the firms CEO to Mrs. Hulman-George's attention was emailed to Mr. Bernard and Indycar's general counsel to forward on. Neither Mr. Bernard or general counsel passed on this letter as and when requested.
Mr. Bernard was not obligated to speak with a prospective investor, but given their state of affairs at that time it would have been advisable. Why Mr. Bernard didn't remains a mystery.
Was he rightly afraid of being replaced? Did he have a personal agenda or unrealistic self-belief in his abilities? It has not succeeded.
In hindsight, if there was open dialogue between the parties maybe there wouldn't have been such pressure on Mr. Bernard to take the risks he did at Las Vegas.
How am I privy to this information. I am one of the firms private investors.
Fenceposts ripped apart Davey Hamilton's feet in 2001, what improvements were had from that accident? Longer footboxes, most likely.
There is always more to any story.
Patrick should also probably perform additional due diligence before condemning yours truly. I am critical of IMS and Randy Bernard as often as not.
I also find it interesting that despite all 'the end is near' bleating by Chief and his handful of little buddies, a supposedly reputable investment firm was said to be set to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in an entity that many obsessed with it claim is worthless. If one listens to children like that you might come away with an impression the Indy Car Series has failed.
I wonder whether Randy would have backed away from such a supposed investment because he viewed it as some sort of takeover attempt? After all, Patrick, when you use phrases such as '...more than seven months was committed to researching every facet of Indycar's organization, to determine if it may qualify for investment, and preparing a strategy capable of resurrecting Indycar...' it sounds just like the kind of passive arrogance that characterized the entire life of cart and its minions. You know, adults to the rescue and all of that nonsense? LOL. 'Resurrecting Indy Car?' Are you out of your mind? Is it any wonder they would have laughed such a supposed offer away? Use your brain. Indy Car is attached to IMS. They have all the funding they need. Now if you were going to invest millions in sponsorship, track affiliation, ownership of teams, etc., you might get a warmer reception.
So get real.
My skepticism is tempered by the fact that this comment section is largely unmoderated unless you curse or call someone a name, so basically anyone can say anything.
At least he spelled words correctly and nailed the grammar.
I'm shocked, shocked to say that I agree with d. He's right that anyone can say anything on the internets.
Why, some delusional fanbois claim to have lunch dates with ole RB while cruising in the private plane... And access to top secret info that shows that somehow, even when the ratings go down big time, all the key demos go up as if by magic... They also claim to have attendance figures for every race, and state that they are all packed with fans. Of course, when multiple tracks say later that they're dropping the .1rl, because not enough people showed up to turn a profit, well, the poor demented honky's (Futurama reference) claims are proven to be false again.
But still, he keeps on posting away at IBJ, because nobody reads his inane drivel when he posts it on his own website. :lol:
Your lack of response seems to indicate there hasn't been anything learned from thousands of IRL/Indycar wrecks since 2003, nor have there been significant safety improvements DESPITE the data collected during that period. This is true, isn't it?
"a supposedly reputable investment firm was said to be set to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in an entity that many obsessed with it claim is worthless."
- the Indycar Series as a motorsport may have intrinsic value, the potential to resurrect, which remained a matter of closer evaluation.
"If one listens to children like that you might come away with an impression the Indy Car Series has failed."
- the existing business model is not financially self-sustainable, nor is it expected to ever be sufficiently profitable.
"I wonder whether Randy would have backed away from such a supposed investment because he viewed it as some sort of takeover attempt?"
- Mr. Bernard had insufficient information to make an informed decision. Mr. Bernard is an employee, not an owner or stakeholder.
"After all, Patrick, when you use phrases such as '...more than seven months was committed to researching every facet of Indycar's organization, to determine if it may qualify for investment, and preparing a strategy capable of resurrecting Indycar...' it sounds just like the kind of passive arrogance that characterized the entire life of cart and its minions."
- Passive arrogance or due diligence. Fortunately, you're not in my employ.
"Is it any wonder they would have laughed such a supposed offer away?"
- Mr. Bernard declined to discuss what was to be proposed. He was and remains unaware of what may have been offered.
"Indy Car is attached to IMS. They have all the funding they need."
- Believe what you will.
"Now if you were going to invest millions in sponsorship, track affiliation, ownership of teams, etc., you might get a warmer reception."
- Such investment would be reliant on Mr. Bernard and Indycar's governing members. Flushing cash down the toilet would be more risk averse.
My final comments on the subject.
Resurrect from WHAT, exactly? Indy Car has operated continuously in one form or another for 100 years. It is pretty distant from dead, even in its perceived state of malaise. It has survived countless coup attempts and has basically set the bar for the entire sport for an entire century. What, specifically, could any outside organization bring that would move the needle significantly in the context of today?
"the existing business model is not financially self-sustainable, nor is it expected to ever be sufficiently profitable."
Is that with or without the Indianapolis 500? Isn't affiliation with the 500 the real strength in any case? We have seen what happens when others who think they can do it better try to make such an entity sustainable without the 500. Twice.
"Mr. Bernard had insufficient information to make an informed decision. Mr. Bernard is an employee, not an owner or stakeholder."
Mr. Bernard is the CEO of Indy Car. Do you know how many business proposals he wades through in a month? Yes, he works for the Hulman-George family of companies, and enriching that enterprise is his first concern. How, exactly, is an outside investment group going to facilitate that tenet?
"Passive arrogance or due diligence. Fortunately, you're not in my employ."
If I was, I would probably look for another less creepy kind of job.
"Mr. Bernard declined to discuss what was to be proposed. He was and remains unaware of what may have been offered."
What, exactly, was proposed in less vague terms?
"Believe what you will."
So you also have insight into the inner financial dealings of a closely held private company?
"Such investment would be reliant on Mr. Bernard and Indycar's governing members. Flushing cash down the toilet would be more risk averse."
Then why would your investment group be interested in the first place? Oh wait....you were going to 'rescue' them, correct? LOL.
"My final comments on the subject."
Lord I hope not. This could get kind of fun.
- you've raised one valid point that warrants mention.
The Indianapolis 500 would have remained the Series' pinnacle event for perpetuity.
"This could get kind of fun."
- simple minds, simple pleasures.
Is that your final, FINAL comment on the subject?
"The Indianapolis 500 would have remained the Series' pinnacle event for perpetuity."
Still kinda vague on specifics of the plans your group had, Patrick. Could you be more specific for this here yokel?
"simple minds, simple pleasures."
Hardly. Got anything substantive regarding this investment deal, or just vague generalities?
Tell you what...you can even take it offline. I am available any time at irldefender@aol.com.
Anyone, ....Bueller?
My take is it also wouldn't surprise me if the great Randy Bernard wanted it all to go away when someone with cash came a knock'n at the door. Anyone heard of protecting your job.
If he did tell the HG's and they dismissed a possible investor or buyer or whatever without looking into it we have a whole new ballgame. This would confirm they couldn't give a crapola about ICS or AOW. It's gone nowhere under their direction and it goes without say they keep ICS drip fed for the 500s survival.
That probably won't stop you from obsessively attempting to position them as monkey see monkey do folks who ignore it, but that is what we have come to expect from your little group.
As to Patrick and the Disciple, in that order.. Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.
How does that negate the crashes into the fence, or improve safety after Hamilton's crash in 2001? Are you suggesting the IRL/Indycar has done nothing since Davey's accident to improve the fencing at 1.5 mile ovals since 2001, yet still occurred several similar crashes since then and have done NOTHING??
Why would the IMS/IRL/INDYCAR do such a thing? That too is a legitimate question, sir.
Please explain your
Beyond that scope, he is comical and jolly good entertainment. He is just not a racing expert. I am ok with that. Neither am I. There is plenty of room for impassioned fans like Disciple, who wish they wer a part of the sport. It is ok.
Here come the mummies!
As I stated, an impassioned fan with a vivd imagination adds to the blog here. You can earn a modicum of respect and some credibility by respecting the opinions of others. Otherwise, you just make yourself irrelevant and easy to dismiss. Just trying to help. Just enjoy blogging with the others here, even if you disagree.
2. Ask legitimate questions.
Indycar and Mr. Bernard deserve high marks for producing this mediocre piece of racing trash. indycar supporters will no doubt view this as win-win....right Defender?
Racing season is a few months down the road. I'm thinking that Indy Car teams are experimenting and putting the plan into action; writers are writing. I know your tendency is to push the panic button with a hair trigger, but those of us who are actual adults are willing to see how she runs in a race. Many of us have actually seen the thing turn wheels.
Apparently those "safety" enhancements might not make it to the start of the season...when combined with the investigation results. Will they, o'lapdog?
Rumors abound that Talkin' Terry Angstadt has resigned. Terry worked his butt off getting Randy's Las Vegas idea to fly PLUS got the China race on the yet to be released almost all road/strret course schedule. With a non-existent commercial presence anyway, IRL woulda dumped him anyway. Heck, the west coast IRL office is producing big time...NOT. Bwahahahhahhahaha. Don't let the door hit ya on the way out Terry.
I may have that wrong..check for yourself...chicken little, eh? Bwahahhahhaha!
http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-barnhart-removed-from-race-control-angstadt-fired/
Oh, and the fencepost/flying cars issue and packing them on a small track at 225 mph...
Yep, things certainly are headed in the proper direction....errr, E V O L U T I O N. They'll bring in more CART-infused lackey's because IRL bootlickers can't get the job done. Like you. "Bwahahhahahha!
FIRE BOB JENKINS....FIRE MARTY REID....change is good. Come on Randy, we've been saying this for years...we know what's right.
Unfortunately the Dallara they bought sight unseen sounds like an utter mess. On the bright side, they are being open about it being a mess. Say, is Ken Anderson available for consulting work? :)
'Bootlickers?' How mature.
The market constantly tells them that their version of AOWR sucks, but they still keep pumping money into it, possible, just so d can say they're still around, and thus, must be successful.
By d's delusional reasoning, anyone on welfare must be successful, because they have $$$ coming in, and are still alive. :lol:
The league, while mostly leaching off H/G family wellfare roll, is starting to pull State money to fund its failure. I'm sure d is all for that too though. The H/G clan are the First Family of AOWR. They deserve all the State $$$ they want, as long as d has the 10 days of May... :lol:
Hmmm. That's odd. If the market has told the clan they don't want their 'clown car league' (classy, by the way. Mature too.) then how on earth has it survived for this long?
"The self appointed rulers of all things AOW have chosen to ignore the market though, to the tune of >$600,000,000.00 out of their fortune."
Oh....I see. You must not have signed an NDA when they allowed you access to their books. Could you please provide a more granular breakout of revenue and expenses? LOL.
"They apparently believe the masses must be slack jawed yokels who don't know what's good for them, instead of informed consumers with choices for their racing entertainment.
The market constantly tells them that their version of AOWR sucks, but they still keep pumping money into it, possible, just so d can say they're still around, and thus, must be successful."
If the marketplace rejected the product, why would they not simply go watch something else? Why do 300,000 still show up at Indy? Why did 1,327,000 fans watch Indy Car events in person? How did all the TV avails get sold, particularly with all those horrid 12+ overnight numbers the Internet television experts tout?
"By d's delusional reasoning, anyone on welfare must be successful, because they have $$$ coming in, and are still alive."
Not really, but most businesses supposedly not successful pull the plug after a year or two once they determine they are unsustainable.
"The league, while mostly leaching off H/G family wellfare roll, is starting to pull State money to fund its failure. I'm sure d is all for that too though. The H/G clan are the First Family of AOWR. They deserve all the State $$$ they want, as long as d has the 10 days of May... :lol:"
Could you please be more specific with how 'state money' is directly enriching the Hulman-George family? I must have missed that particular transaction.
WRONG, they changed it after 14 years because they stunk up the sport and FAILED.
SO, the IRL turned into the "IndyCar Series" in a last ditch effort to be the series the name originally meant. FAILED again.
What's next, "The Newerest Indycar Series" moniker?
You and the Hulman family (Randy included) couldn't tear your way out of a wet, ripped paper bag.
History and popular opinion agrees with me. Now, FIRE BOB JENKINS and MARTY REID. gettin rid of Danica, the 9 year old crapwaggons, Barnhart and Angstadt are wonderful steps in the right direction.
Get a real chassis now and maybe we'll take your free tix and go to your IRL races again.
Normally, yes they do. But I don't think in any way shape or form you can call Izod Indycar normal. Nor the powers-that-be that operate the series.
However, another swing of evolutionary change seems to be occurring in the ol' staff that runs this vaunted series.
Say, do really successful businesses have as many shake-ups in major staff that seems to go on over there in Indy?
Oh...that's right. This is not a normal business.
Just another day in Indycar. Business trudges on "normally" with lots of evolution.
I have to say, always fun to watch. Better than the racing.
From H/G losses on the league, to the failed races this year at Milwaukee, NH, KY, Baltimore, LVMS...
To articles from last year where tracks said they'll make more $$$ by not running the .1rl...
To articles on the TV ratings swirling the bowl every year it's been in existence...
To articles of RB's giving away 80,000 free tickets for the Vegas Death Race 2011, but only getting 20,000 to show up...
But somehow, d gets top secret info that can't be found anywhere online, except where d himself makes the claim.
Who do you trust, folks?
d, a Kool-Aid drinking fanboi who claims to be having lunch dates on the private plane with ole RB, or sane people... :lol: