IndyCar series to declare bankruptcy

[ianashdown]

Just read this online:

IndyCar series to declare bankruptcy
The Indy Racing League IndyCar might declare bankruptcy shortly. This is what we have just learned exclusively. It's not a secret that the car series has difficulty (since Tony George destroyed the sport by splitting it). After a war to end the rival Champ Car series, the teams have not had it easy. Sponsors have not rushed to the doors and promoters are on thin ice with the cancellation of the first race of the season in Brazil and other races failing every year. The Brazilian government may have known about the bankruptcy and decided to cancel the event.

Since the founding of the IRL almost 20 years ago and the first event at Disney Land, the American series never made a dime. At the time, it was the Indianapolis 500 that supported it.
All indications are that no public announcement will be made at this time. It seems that the season will proceed. Some rumors mention the possible sale of the series by the family or filing for bankruptcy. There is even talk that the series could restart under another name (CART - remember that?). Sixteen events are on the 2015 schedule including the Toronto race in June, a week after the Canadian Grand Prix.

Just a rumor, but . . .

Ian

[RSS]

I will be so happy if this goes through.

Maybe something great can be born out of the ashes.

[Rick Kean]

Ian, please include a link to the rumormonger's online site

[Dave Welsh]

http://www.autonet.ca/fr/2015/02/04/...ar-en-faillite

[Keith Carter]

The cars are ugly and they have no business running an "American" series outside of the country so I'm glad Brazil dropped it. Eliminate the ovals except the 500 while you're at it and you may have something to suit my own personal interests, but that probably won't put butts in the bleachers they need.

[dalz]

So an unknown Canadian hack has scooped Kirby, Miller, Fryer, et al? Pure BS. He doesn't even know the "IRL" moniker is a decade retired. (Well, most Apexspeedos don't either.)

Why would Brazil cancel in this fabricated scenario? They PAY the VICS to put on a race. Tickets were supposedly 70% sold. Further details are murky but this clown knows nothing.

Disneyland?! I forgot they raced at Anaheim.

[marshall9]

Disneyland?! I forgot they raced at Anaheim.

I was there as a spectator. It was Disney World, Kissimmee, FL. Buzz Calkins won. Very short oval, grandstands were temporary, and rickety. Cool thing was, and the reason I went , was that they had a Pro Formula Continental race as the prelim. It was called the Hooter's series.

[ianashdown]

The 'rumor monger' in question is AutoRacing1

Ian

[dalz]

I was there as a spectator. It was Disney World, Kissimmee, Fl.

Yeah I know #sarcasm.

The 'rumor monger' in question is ***********'

Oh cripes, that's all you need to know Did 2004 show up again?

[ianashdown]

I have no idea as the the validity of the rumor. It is posted in the 'rumor' section so there is presumably some doubt.

My personal thoughts are, if it is true, I feel very badly for everyone that counts on this series for their living. As much as I dislike what this series is, if it were truly to go away it would be a terrible thing for professional Motorsports in the U.S.

If it's not true, which I suspect it isn't, I will be sort of disappointed.

Ian

[dalz]

Mods--motion to strike this swill.

[ianashdown]

That's allways a good solution to open, free and civil discussion.

My last comment on this issue.

[dc]

No reason to lock threads that don't violate forum rules.

[ianashdown]

Thank you.

[Purple Frog]

The question should be, "what do they have that anyone wants to watch?"
Wait.... when Rand is snowed in up to the eves of his home, he watches.

[Swift17]

Last year there was reported a minor profit to the Board of Directors - television ratings were up (really...., but could they have gone lower ?) though based upon the ABC " Month at Indy" Road Course/Qualifying/500 coverage- When the TGTG was running it is was losing money hands over fist and unless there are promissory notes due back to the Speedway's parent Co. endorsed during the "... dark ages ..." and re-affirmed (and absent a tax benefit as a Bad Debt to offset the recent cash infusion/benefit/? from the State of Indiana) I respectfully suggest absent the forgoing, this is nothing more than the writer's need for copy to fulfill the monthly quota and with a headline sufficient to bring up the # of "web-hits"

[racerdad2]

Nothing like facts, reason & logic to ruin a good rumor

I would like to see the IRL get off the ovals, stay off the streers & run on real race tracks

[provamo]

who cares as long as The Road to Indy is still paved

[Marshall Mauney]

Nothing like facts, reason & logic to ruin a good rumor

I would like to see the IRL get off the ovals, stay off the streers & run on real race tracks

Agreed with the ovals (except Indy), but what's wrong with Long Beach and Toronto? Trois-Rivieres?

[Roland V. Johnson]

What they have that anyone might want to watch is good, close racing......and the Indy 500

[racerdad2]

Clarification. Stay off the concrete canyons

And why not race in South America ? Lots of drivers from way down South.

[JohnPaul]

I'm surprised that any form professional auto racing is able to support itself through spectators and sponsors. There isn't a single thing I'd rather do than get in a car and race every single day for the rest of my life but lets face it, unless you are driving it's like watching paint dry....
The only racing that I enjoy watching is motorcycle road racing, now that's exciting!

[Jnovak]

I'm surprised that any form professional auto racing is able to support itself through spectators and sponsors. There isn't a single thing I'd rather do than get in a car and race every single day for the rest of my life but lets face it, unless you are driving it's like watching paint dry....
The only racing that I enjoy watching is motorcycle road racing, now that's exciting!

NASCAR actually has it figured out. Even their smaller touring series can make money.

[GAR]

I was there as a spectator. It was Disney World, Kissimmee, FL. Buzz Calkins won. Very short oval, grandstands were temporary, and rickety. Cool thing was, and the reason I went , was that they had a Pro Formula Continental race as the prelim. It was called the Hooter's series.

It was actually just Formula Ford 2000 at the time. Can watch most of the race here for a little flash from the past: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQxavmMsW9U

Thats us on the outside pole and leading most of the race, and yes that is the infamous Mike Foschi in the white shirt and black dicky's by the car the opening few seconds.

[dalz]

I have no idea as the the validity of the rumor. It is posted in the 'rumor' section so there is presumably some doubt.

If it's not true, which I suspect it isn't, I will be sort of disappointed.

Ian

'Nuf said.

[Swift17]

........... but lets face it, unless you are driving it's like watching paint dry....The only racing that I enjoy watching is motorcycle road racing, now that's exciting!

I respectfully disagee with the first point w/ my friend "JP" - Absent the occasional (thankfully now very rare/almost non-existant "pack racing") IndyCar has been VERY exciting - agreed not the old fire breathing monsters of CART days but good value for my time [plus love rooting for the Fort Lauderdale Boys] ........

BUT as to the second ... ... watch some World Super Bike/Moto GP and you WILL be hooked - screaming up to a corner grab the front brake, the back tire dancing, lean in at an incredible/unbelievable angle, clip the apex as you twist the wrist, front tire rises as the back tire launches you while it is fighting for traction, you leaning forward trying to bring the front down ........
SPECTACULAR

PS... JP/P1 and Shane Prieto/F1000 came from this type of racing !!!!

[Jnovak]

I respectfully disagee with the first point w/ my friend "JP" - Absent the occasional (thankfully now very rare/almost non-existant "pack racing") IndyCar has been VERY exciting - agreed not the old fire breathing monsters of CART days but good value for my time [plus love rooting for the Fort Lauderdale Boys] ........

BUT as to the second ... ... watch some World Super Bike/Moto GP and you WILL be hooked - screaming up to a corner grab the front brake, the back tire dancing, lean in at an incredible/unbelievable angle, clip the apex as you twist the wrist, front tire rises as the back tire launches you while it is fighting for traction, you leaning forward trying to bring the front down ........
SPECTACULAR

PS... JP/P1 and Shane Prieto/F1000 came from this type of racing !!!!

The Moto GP racing is the finest racing on the planet and a few of the reason why are as follows:
The riders are spectacular and you can see them working to maintain traction.
1.4 lbs/hp. Even better than F1
NO DOWNFORCE. This is the real reason why the racing is so great. You can see that they are at the limits of traction all the time. REDUCE the DF in cars and the racing will get better.

[TimH]

REDUCE the DF in cars and the racing will get better.

[dalz]

[plus love rooting for the Fort Lauderdale Boys] ........

The Whittingtons and Randy Lanier?!

[Swift17]

well done !!!!

Ryan Hunter-Reay, Helio and (from a while back, Gil de Ferran)

[old 59]

REDUCE the DF in cars and the racing will get better.

IMHO that's why FF racing is STILL some of the best around, 45 years on.

[Jnovak]

IMHO that's why FF racing is STILL some of the best around, 45 years on.

Absolutely!