Will you watch the 500 this weekend?

[SpeedracerIndy]

Originally posted by motion
Zeke, the race has become no better than restrictor plate racing. 215 mph? I don't have stats handy, but you have to go back 10-15 years to see speeds that slow. All on 2004 technology chassis, tires and electronics. The cars are dog slow and anyone can drive them, including 45 year old rookies, Al Unser Jr. and Sarah Fisher. The close racing is a product of half the race being run under yellow. Sorry, but in my book, that's not racing. I can't believe how many rookie things I saw happening, including the officials not knowing well enough to open the pits when its pouring rain on the track (hello??) and several drivers completely missing their pits.

I know these guys drive their hearts out and spend the whole year trying to get a ride and all of that, but its mostly a big joke at this point. The series is being dominated by ex-CART people. Even Buddy Rice couldn't get a ride in CART. He's subbing for Brack.

And the worst part is that the cars are flawed in their design, and are extremely dangerous for the drivers. I just don't see anything positive in the series. The cars are slow, low-tech and cheap. The stands were half empty. A tornado was touching down in Indy 2 miles away doing damage and they didn't even have the sense to protect the people at the track by warning them.

Its all a farce.

Well, I was there and they did clear out the stands. They shut off the victory celebration so the crowd couldn't watch. They annouced a tornado warning 30 minutes before the warning was acctually announced to the rest of the city so that the crowd would begin clearing out. On top of that, I would rather be under a concrete grand stand than in my car sitting in traffic during a tornado.

I'll have to go with Zeke on this one, and say I don't agree with you on everything. How can slowing cars down in the name of safety be called farce racing. What about the Texas motor speedway and CART slowing down those cars? Is CART farce racing also? I watched three guys hit a wall going 200mph and literally get out of their car and WALK AWAY. It is sad what has become of the IRL, but I still love going to the race. It's still the greatest race in history. Sometimes I wonder what Tony was thinking. In theory it seemed like a good idea, but in practice it obviously didn't work. Only time will tell.

Now I am just looking forward to the F1 race! Won't be watching the good ol' boys thrash their nasty cars around this year though. Been to that one before, and it was boring. It seems like all they do is get in a line and drive for two and a half hours.

[motion]

Generally, I'm against most measures to slow cars down.. getting cars to go faster is a natural progression of technology and skill. Its the whole damn point of racing to begin with. And Milt, it IS important what the fans want. Who wants to watch those pigs going around a road course (which will happen next year)? Tony is detached from reality and is going to ruin a lot of racing careers with his mis-guided leadership. The IRL has no audience outside of Indy and sponsorship is getting impossible to find. Fans ARE knowledgeable and recognize that slowing the cars down is not interesting. I'll bet if you asked the fans, a lot of them would say that 215 is definitely not fast. I remember when Gil De Ferran did a 242mph lap at Fontana a few years ago. Now that was frickin amazing!

These guys should be doing 250 at Indy by now. If some of them think its too fast, then they should be in the IPS or racing a Miata at their local track. Believe me, there's plenty of young talent ready to take their place if they can't handle the speed.

Ahhh hell, I'm gonna just stick to motorcycle racing. Those guys are nuts and silly fast

[Zeke]

If you remember De Ferran's 242 lap, then you also remember that he said he didn't want to do that again. On the spot. I enjoy debating with you, Richard. Obviously you're passionate about racing and have strong opinions. Better than no opinons!