Indy 500 Movie due in 2011!

Here's an interesting article about a prospective movie set to be released in 2011. It's about the first Indy 500, in 1911.

I lived in Indy from 1999 to 2005, and I'll move back there as soon as the Detroit economy gives me some of my house value back. I'm a huge Indy 500 fan, and a big fan of the movie Hoosiers. I met Angelo Pizzo at an IU basketball game in 2004*, and told him that even though I'm not originally from Indiana, I really enjoyed Hoosiers. He said this was a great compliment, and that was what he had hoped to accomplish.

With Pizzo's past successes (Rudy, Hoosiers), his passion for Indiana history, and his ability to use creative license while keeping some of the historical accuracies, I think this movie will become a classic. Ask any basketball player what their favorite movie is, and most will say "Hoosiers". For race fans, this will surely be a better movie than Days of Thunder.

*I also met Bobby Plump at the game (it was an autograph session for re-releasing the movie), as well as one of the actors. Bobby invited me to his bar in Broad Ripple, and when I went there, I met many of the surviving Milan players, a few cheerleaders and the coach's wife. I bought a repro newspaper article (they were raising money for a Milan Basketball Museum), and everyone there signed it. Super Freakin' Cool.Linky

that relly sounds like it would be cool to see though. and good luck in getting done and it being good. you know it would suck if hollywood would get thier bloody paws on it though.

it has promise...maybe it will be the next Le Mans, or Grand Prix....maybe not.

I hope the racing is as good as the story, which should be pretty good.

If you've seen Hoosiers, the state basketball championship game is filmed at Hinkle Fieldhouse, where the actual Milan game took place. In the movie, the announcer calling the game was Tom Carnegie (Indy 500 announcer for 61 years).

It's things like this that could make this movie a classic.

yes, but will there even be an indy 500 in 2011?

I don't see why there wouldn't be a 500 in 2011. If I remember correctly, the only time there hasn't been a race since 1911 was during WWII.

This year's attendance may be down a bit, but the Indy 500 is a one day event, with tickets starting at $30 (infield seats). Good seats are still under $100. Not too expensive, and an easy drive from Chicago, Milwaulkee, Cleveland, and a host of other big cites.

Also, most of the hard-core fans camp out for the weekend instead of getting expensive hotel rooms.

I wouldn't expect Indy to go away anytime soon, even if the sponsorship $$$ is down a bit.

The 500 is the only profitable IRL race, so I'm sure it will happen. I've been to half-a-dozen or so, and sat all around the track, as well as the infield. The snake pit is no longer, but the Coke Lot the night before the race isn't too far...

I still have a disposable camera with pics from my latest Coke Lot party (2004). I'm afraid to have it developed...

Agreed, the Coke lot is madness. I've gone to the 500 for 20 years in a row now, and we usually camp closer to the American Legion. Last year all the parking was gone, except for the Coke lot, so we bit the bullet and camped with all the kids. It was a good time, and not as stupid as we thought it would be. There was still no shortage of baffoonery though, which is always good for entertainment.

It has gotten really out of hand in the past. A couple of years ago a huge line of port-o-lets were knocked down, and lit on fire! Nice clean fun huh?

Another little known fact (besides the Mulford controversy) is that Harroun was relieved for approx 100 miles by Cyrus Patschke (of Lebanon PA) who is said to have actually put the car in front during his stint. Back then co-drivers were not credited as they were in later years. (Source: Indianapolis 500 Chronicle by Rick Popeley)