Interesting article in the IndyStar about Randy Bernard.
http://tinyurl.com/2cb4adl
Wants to bring back something like the CART "big cars", but keep the IRL's cost managment on the chassis. Renamed the series "IndyCar", ditching the Earl's name. Digging the road courses, but wants to run ovals, too. Wants a better TV package.
If "the split" was a Civil War, this guy wants to do what Abe Lincoln had planned for his 2nd term. I for one hope he doesn't get stopped before he has the chance.
Brian Barnhart is an idiot. That is all that matters. It won't be real racing until they rescind that stupid blocking rule, and get rid of spec chassis / engine.
Platinum90 wrote: Brian Barnhart is an idiot. That is all that matters. It won't be real racing until they rescind that stupid blocking rule, and get rid of spec chassis / engine.
Agreed about Barnhart. Edmonton was an embarassment. As far as the engines go, coming back to the 2.4 turbo is a good thing, IMO..at least they'll sound like Indy Cars again. From the article, it sounds like Bernard is working his butt off trying to get the manufacturers to get behind the thing.
The whole chassis thing sounds like another attempt to "split the difference", though. A spec chassis, but with no bodywork. Aero packages are developed elsewhere (not quite "free rules", but pretty close), and attached to the spec chassis...and at those speeds, the aero's really important. Interesting idea. I'd never thought about making a "half spec" rule. Worth waiting for 2012 just to see how it works out. 
One of the things I'd always hated about "the split" was that I remember the 1995 Indycar season. The TV coverage was good, the cars were fantastic, and it seemed even the casual fan was beginning to understand that they could enjoy watching the cars & drivers from the Indy 500 all year long. IMO, they were on the verge of upstaging NASCAR's popularity.
When I see what Bernard's doing, I begin to wonder if he's been watching old videos from 1995 as well. We came sooooo close before Tony George had his "hissy fit".
And yes, I still hope TG dies before I do, so I can piss on his grave. Call me an idiot, but I just can't let it go..
friedgreencorrado wrote: One of the things I'd always hated about "the split" was that I *remember* the 1995 Indycar season. The TV coverage was good, the cars were fantastic, and it seemed even the casual fan was beginning to understand that they could enjoy watching the cars & drivers from the Indy 500 all year long. IMO, they were on the verge of upstaging NASCAR's popularity.
And, do not forget to mention the driving talent. Indycar fields were way-deep with top echelon drivers, entrants, engineers and teams who knew they were part of something special. When you have the "little troll" and NASCAR looking over your shoulder, you have something really good happening. Too bad that the "ego-thing" and greed destroyed it all.
As far as TG is concerned, I have no desire for his early demise. But, the man's pitiful "vision" rendered him impotent and invisible and that's a fitting pay-back for all his efforts to strengthen the sport.
The article said:"I think it's been a great year for my first year, a really good year," said Bernard, the former CEO of Professional Bull Riders...
So what is his background experience in racing then? Kinda reminds me of the Monty Python sketch with the ad agency where the employee says "String, washing powder, what's the difference ? We can sell anything !!"
Maybe I'm still just that bitter about the way the IRL/Champcar "Merge" was handled. It still reminds me of the way adults sometimes "compromise" with children- "If I can have everything I want this time, you can have everything you want next time. That's a compromise!!"
dimeadozen wrote: The article said:"I think it's been a great year for my first year, a really good year," said Bernard, the former CEO of Professional Bull Riders... So what is his background experience in racing then? Kinda reminds me of the Monty Python sketch with the ad agency where the employee says "String, washing powder, what's the difference ? We can sell anything !!"
Does it matter what his background is if he produces results?
I see the resurrection of PBR as being a very good piece on his CV. If he can turn IndyCar around just as quickly, I will be happy.
Platinum90 wrote:dimeadozen wrote: The article said:"I think it's been a great year for my first year, a really good year," said Bernard, the former CEO of Professional Bull Riders... So what is his background experience in racing then? Kinda reminds me of the Monty Python sketch with the ad agency where the employee says "String, washing powder, what's the difference ? We can sell anything !!"Does it matter what his background is if he produces results? I see the resurrection of PBR as being a very good piece on his CV. If he can turn IndyCar around just as quickly, I will be happy.
hmm.. rodeo involves people trying to stay on a bucking bull for 8 seconds.. the new Indy cars have a button that gives the car about that many seconds of extra power to make a pass.. the new IRL president used to be in charge of the rodeo...
coincidence???
dimeadozen wrote: The article said:"I think it's been a great year for my first year, a really good year," said Bernard, the former CEO of Professional Bull Riders... So what is his background experience in racing then? Kinda reminds me of the Monty Python sketch with the ad agency where the employee says "String, washing powder, what's the difference ? We can sell anything !!" Maybe I'm still just that bitter about the way the IRL/Champcar "Merge" was handled. It still reminds me of the way adults sometimes "compromise" with children- "If I can have everything I want this time, you can have everything you want next time. That's a compromise!!"
I dunno. I remember my own "..at least it's OVER.." reaction when the damn thing finally happened. The damage had already been done, and I gotta admit-at the time, I didn't care whether they would race the real Indycars (which had not been on ovals in years, and not ready for them), TG's little toy cars, or Formula Fords. I was just glad that everybody finally decided that it was time to stop the bleeding. Yeah, it was a big compromise to see TG's spec cars on "our" (yeah, I come to this discussion as a CART supporter during the split) tracks, but even somebody like me has to admit that it was time to stop that E36 M3. And look at what's going on now! Bernard has decided to retire the "Indy Racing League" moniker, is working to return the engine formula back to a 2.4ltr turbo, and is trying to keep a spec chassis from being a complete bore (the different aero kits, right?).
Yeah, the guy may not be a racer..but it seems to me that as a businessman, he's looking for why Indycars were more popular in the past than they are in the present..and has found it. I'm gonna give the guy a chance. You're right..he's not a racer-but it sure sounds to me like he's been listening to racers..
YMMV, of course!
friedgreencorrado wrote: I'm gonna give the guy a chance. You're right..he's not a racer-but it sure sounds to me like he's been listening to racers.. YMMV, of course!
Agreed!
I'm hoping Bernard is the one guy who can successfully polish a turd and make it into something valuable.
oldsaw wrote:friedgreencorrado wrote: I'm gonna give the guy a chance. You're right..he's not a racer-but it sure sounds to me like he's been listening to racers.. YMMV, of course!Agreed! I'm hoping Bernard is the one guy who can successfully polish a turd and make it into something valuable.
Oldsaw, agreed. Sometimes I hate m'self for still caring about open-wheeled racing in the US. OTOH, I still remember when it wasn't such a turd.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MTJk2J7YD4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtiGra-pj5c
Hmm..I gotta remember to find Bernard's e-mail address, and suggest that he hire Paul Page. Hey, if he's gonna try resurrect Indycars, shouldn't he get active about his respect for the history? Dang, Paul's radio broadcasts during the 70s was the reason I was so stoked to see him on TV in the 80s-90s.
friedgreencorrado wrote: Interesting article in the IndyStar about Randy Bernard. http://tinyurl.com/2cb4adl Wants to bring back something like the CART "big cars", but keep the IRL's cost managment on the chassis. Renamed the series "IndyCar", ditching the Earl's name. Digging the road courses, but wants to run ovals, too. Wants a better TV package. If "the split" was a Civil War, this guy wants to do what Abe Lincoln had planned for his 2nd term. I for one hope he doesn't get stopped before he has the chance.
Sounds like, uh, what open wheel racing was before the split. Good move, Tony.
friedgreencorrado wrote: I dunno. I remember my own "..at least it's *OVER*.." reaction when the damn thing finally happened. The damage had already been done, and I gotta admit-at the time, I didn't care whether they would race the real Indycars (which had not been on ovals in years, and not ready for them), TG's little toy cars, or Formula Fords. I was just glad that everybody finally decided that it was time to stop the bleeding. Yeah, it was a *big* compromise to see TG's spec cars on "our" (yeah, I come to this discussion as a CART supporter during the split) tracks, but even somebody like me has to admit that it was time to stop that E36 M3. And look at what's going on now! Bernard has decided to retire the "Indy Racing League" moniker, is working to return the engine formula back to a 2.4ltr turbo, and is trying to keep a spec chassis from being a complete bore (the different aero kits, right?). YMMV, of course!
I suppose. As a fan, the only thing more frustrating than watching the apparently more effective marketing of the IRL was watching the bumbling ineptitude of the CART/ChampCar marketing and management efforts.
As a volunteer in the Media Center at the Denver GP, there was absurdity within the organization. After the name change from CART to ChampCar, the CART, er, ChampCar PR Director told the volunteers "The most important thing to remember this weekend is that we are ChampCar, not CART. CART was legally a different entity, and right now they have a bunch of creditors after them." There were a few long time volunteers/fans who were pretty pissed off when they were told they could not wear the CART baseball caps they had purchased at the race the year before.
One year, in an effort to bring younger fans to the Denver race, the official event poster featured a Champ car and a freestyle motocross rider, with each given an equal amount of space on the poster. More than a few fans were pissed off when they were informed that no, there would not be a freestyle motocross competition that weekend, but there is a really neat ramp set up in the midway- they demonstrate a few tame jumps once an hour!
Myself and a few of the other younger volunteers took it upon ourselves to approach the ChampCar PR people with suggestions to attract the younger fan base they claimed to want- nothing earth shattering, just some simple suggestions such as "Why not ask young people what their peers are interested by, instead of just assuming you know?" These suggestions fell on deaf ears.
dimeadozen wrote: I suppose. As a fan, the only thing more frustrating than watching the apparently more effective marketing of the IRL was watching the bumbling ineptitude of the CART/ChampCar marketing and management efforts. As a volunteer in the Media Center at the Denver GP, there was absurdity within the organization. After the name change from CART to ChampCar, the CART, er, ChampCar PR Director told the volunteers "The most important thing to remember this weekend is that we are ChampCar, not CART. CART was legally a different entity, and right now they have a bunch of creditors after them." There were a few long time volunteers/fans who were pretty pissed off when they were told they could not wear the CART baseball caps they had purchased at the race the year before. One year, in an effort to bring younger fans to the Denver race, the official event poster featured a Champ car and a freestyle motocross rider, with each given an equal amount of space on the poster. More than a few fans were pissed off when they were informed that no, there would not be a freestyle motocross competition that weekend, but there is a really neat ramp set up in the midway- they demonstrate a few tame jumps once an hour! Myself and a few of the other younger volunteers took it upon ourselves to approach the ChampCar PR people with suggestions to attract the younger fan base they claimed to want- nothing earth shattering, just some simple suggestions such as "Why not ask young people what their peers are interested by, instead of just assuming you know?" These suggestions fell on deaf ears.
Man, thanks for sharing that story. I still think of CART as the series that actually conned (and I say that as a CART fan!) the sponsors into sticking around for a few years after losing the Indy 500. I guess they did eventually have their own "fall of Rome" moment, and you've given us a glimpse of it.
Also, you've given me another reason to go work corners when the "pro series" is in town..I'd rather deal with things like crashes than have to face all that corporate stuff in the tower..
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