irl or cart?

[Fun_in_my_z]

with this big conflict thats going on whats your vote?

[ctomkins]

I guess oval racing is where the bucks are and people who don't really know anything about Road Racing.

:dead:

[sblake01]

At this point, I'm the only 'niether'. Never been much of a open-wheeled racing fan. I like to watch cars race that somewhat resemble cars you might see on the street. That's why I don't care much for anything above Pro Stock in drag racing, why I like NASCAR (I did say 'somewhat' resemble), why I like Aussie V8 Supercars, etc.

[Fun_in_my_z]

yeah i know what you mean.

growing up around here circle track was the only racing i new about untill we got a sataliteROFL

[TomoHawk]

Irish League?

I don't care for open-wheel cars because I see too many wheels getting broken off. Or climing over each other. Those things (especially F-1) are purpose-built, so I don't care for that either, even though the early cars were open- wheel designs. Only the select few get to drive those- coupes are open to anybody.

As long as they have to make both left andright-hand turns. I think it takes real talent to make turns in both directions. Circle track stuff makes me dizzy!

[panchovisa]

Open wheel race cars are ultimate tool of wheel to wheel combat. No 18 point, 1,000 lb Brooklyn Bridges to save you from your mistakes. Make a mistake and get new bone grafts.

I don't make these comments lightly, I'm not interested in seeing my HERO's get hurt. I only mean that open wheel racers are probably (by necessity) more talented in the art of driving at the limit of human skill.

Now I don't want to enflame others passions for their favorite type of racing. I love all racing from local dirt track stockers to hydroplane and air races. Heck, I even watch motorcycles, off-road, snowbobiles and pinewood derby races.

But, high powered open wheel racers are the pinnicale of motorsports. I personally would rather watch a USAC Silver Crown wingless race on a 1 mile clay track then a Formula ! race.

I'd rather see the "national" open wheel series be contested on short ovals, super speedways, and permanent road courses (you can keep the street races, thank you very much).

CART had it all (except for the crown jewel) at one time. They probably had 8 of the twelve best drivers in the world at one time. They put on races that had more excitement than 6 F-1 races together.

It's all over now except for the sale next year of new owners rights to Tony George. Cart should have won the war, but they fumbled it away by not going head to head with the Speedway AT THE SPEEDWAY. They should have shown up in May and taken the few spots open to non-IRL and embarrassed the krap out of Tony and his has-beens! They shouldn't have run a poor copy of the 500 at Michigan like they did.

Well now it's all over but for the crying. Now T.G. will have to run road courses and international events. The sponsers will demand it. In effect he will have to put on CART's old show.

SOOOOooo, lets hope it is all dead and buried soon!

[hawaiiankine]

Aloha,

Well...this is just horrible. See what happens when you move out into the middle of the Pacific ocean with no contact from people who really know about racing! Great.

So CART has pretty much dissolved, then? Son of a ...

I loved CART. I grew up in Portland, OR and CART came to Portland International Raceway every summer for the Rose Festival. It was an event I looked forward to every year.

I admit I knew CART was having trouble the past few years, but are they really gone now? I absolutely could not stand the IRL. I always thought of it as a higher-tech re-hash of NASCAR. No offense to anyone out there, but circle-track racing ...yuck. I suppose its good for packing in spectators and making a huge profit since the track allows it. Can't blame them for that.

So, I voted for CART, but since CART is on its way out of existence then I vote for Formula 1. I agree with the above sentiments regarding open-wheel racing on road tracks. In fact, I agree with Michel Schumacher's statement he made regarding the IRL and the Indy 500 when he was interviewed by some evening news magazine here in the States. I believe it was 20/20 and he was interviewed by Barbara Walters. Anyway, he was asked if he wanted to race in the "ultimate" race that motorsports had to offer. What race is that you ask? Why, of course its the Indy 500! His response was classic. To paraphrase, he said:

"I would never race in the Indy 500. I am already competing in the most competitive racing series in the world, Formula 1. Why would I want to take a step down to a less-challenging series and race at an oval track? Besides, I do not want to give American spectators the satisfaction of watching world-class drivers slam themselves into the sidewall at a poorly constructed track when an accident occurs. Whoever builds tracks with no leeway present between the track and the stands should be held liable for every death that happens at their respective tracks."

So, maybe Mr. Schumacher is a bit proud but I would be too given his accomplishments. I thought he put it in perspective firmly and intelligently.

aloha,

Joel

[Ed]

Well I tried to stay neutral on this one but with the Formula 1 bashing going on I had to pipe in.

Now I'm not gonna bash IRL or CART or NASCAR. Heck I've watched it. It all has it's moments. To each his own. (I love the wrecks in NASCAR!)

I enjoy the heck out of Formula 1. Been enjoying it since the 70's. Yea, it does get boring at times (most motorsports do when there isn't much going on) and the sound of the engines can put me to sleep in a few minutes (especially with some comentators). But then you have those races that make you wonder "How can these guys do this?" Driving at those speeds at the limit for over 90 minutes? 0-100-0 mph in 4 seconds. Up to 4 lateral G's. You cannot make a mistake (especially on tracks like Monaco). And don't forget the starts (probably the best part of the race) twenty guys doing over 100 mph and fighting for 2 meters of roadway, no bumping here. Put yourself in the drivers seat of any motorsport where you are constantly on the razors edge, can you handle it? Do you have the discipline? It's like all motorsports, Drama.

[Fun_in_my_z]

im a racing guy myself. never have really liked motorcycle racing all that much.

my grandfather whatched a driver burn to death at Indy his seat was so close he could here the driver screaming.

but ive seen a lot more passing and a lot more peaple contending to win races on circle track evants.

i grew up around circle tracks. ive driven a dirk car or two.circle track racing is just as good as anythang else in my 2c.

[panchovisa]

Ed, you sound like your an old timer like me. Yea, Formula 1 back in the 1970's was fantastic! I loved it, know why? Because except for Ferrari and Matra all the cars had the same engine (Cosworth DFV). They were basicly kit cars built by tuners. Sounds low-tech, and by todays standards it was.

BUT, what the homemade "specials" lacked in sophistication actually made for better racing! Back then it was driver vs driver and the battles were legendary. Today its constructor vs constructor with the drivers plugged into the car like another programable chip!

I would like to see F-1 go back to simple cars driven by stars. Today the cars are the stars and the drivers parade until the checkerd flag.

Bernie keeps saying he can't figure out why NASCAR is so big. The reason is because the cars are secondary to the drivers. When he finally understands then F-1 will return to glory.

[ctomkins]

Watching those Cadillacs on the Speedvision GT challenge was very impresive. I still like the idea of racing a production vehicle with most of it's original body work in place. Much like the old stock cars.

As far as im concerned the cars & people that race SCCA type of events are the most exciting. You have every different engine sound and configuration you can think of. Not to mention their safety, their investment, their pocket book, is all hung out in the breeze.

No guts no glory.

[Ed]

Originally posted by panchovisa

I would like to see F-1 go back to simple cars driven by stars. Today the cars are the stars and the drivers parade until the checkerd flag.

I couldn't agree with you more. Maybe have them do a radical change like NO wings, No carbon fiber, and a max HP of 500 or so.