| Author | Message | ||
| Andy Falsetta (Tuttebenne)
Junior Member Username: Tuttebenne Post Number: 107 Registered: 3-2003 |
Of course it would be great to see the cars all the time, but if the track has to be flat, and short, with no obstructions, there's less demand on the cars and drivers and less fun to watch. I'd rather attend and see an interesting race on a challenging track than see everything that takes place on a flat, relatively simple track. I think F1 fans prefer tracks like Spa, Monza and the others with elevation changes, blind corners and straights where the cars run for ten or fifteen seconds flat out through the forest. These tracks have character. Indy has history and two spots at which to pass. But I would agree that most American auto racing fans probably would prefer to see everything in front of them and favor Indy over a more traditional F1 circuit. | ||
| DJ (Godfather)
New member Username: Godfather Post Number: 29 Registered: 11-2002 |
Having the cars in site is more important to the fan I think. Silly me to travel to watch an F1 race on a track screen when I can watch the race at my big screen at home. The track screens help and make it easier to follow along but why should it be ok not to see the cars. Because its F1 and not nascar? Indy could use some changes but then again so could other tracks.  | ||
| Frank K Lipinski (Kaz)
Junior Member Username: Kaz Post Number: 240 Registered: 11-2002 |
"To run at the front you will spend $400,000 to $500,000 (including car) and that is just plain stupid for a series that has maybe one or two professional level talent drivers." Couple of more bucks and you got an Enzo!  | ||
| Andy Falsetta (Tuttebenne)
Junior Member Username: Tuttebenne Post Number: 106 Registered: 3-2003 |
Having the car within sight might have been important to many people years ago but with the addition of the large screens at major racing events you can see what's going on around the track without having them in front of you. Usually the only way to keep cars in view is to have a track with no elevation changes, no landscape or no obstructions. This is more in line with US oval racing like the IRL, NASCAR and Indy Car (what do they call it now? "Bridgestone Presents Champ Car Racing Powered by Ford"?). Most F1 fans would rather have a challenging course rather than having the ability to view the car from their seat. Here in the US I think the fans are more used to "NASCAR" than F1 so you would be right that in the US, Indy might be viewed as an F1 track. But not to me. | ||
| DJ (Godfather)
New member Username: Godfather Post Number: 27 Registered: 11-2002 |
Indy is a great F1 Track, the drivers may not like it but who cares? Whats important is that the fans can see the car and there not too many F1 circuits where the fan can see the car for more than 4 or 5 turns. | ||
| Andy Falsetta (Tuttebenne)
Junior Member Username: Tuttebenne Post Number: 105 Registered: 3-2003 |
I hate to admit it but for once I may be agreeing with Tony George. Most Challenge racing isn't at the same level of Porsche Supercup. But then again, Indy isn't what I would call an F1 track. | ||
| Howie (Brokerofexotics)
Member Username: Brokerofexotics Post Number: 454 Registered: 11-2001 |
With the number of entrants declining, I think it's time to get a Ferrari-Lamborghini Challenge going. It would increase the field and make for some amazing racing. Doyou guys thing Ferrari and Lamborghini (Audi) would be interested? Heck, you can even add Lotus to the mix. | ||
| DJ (Godfather)
New member Username: Godfather Post Number: 25 Registered: 11-2002 |
I thought it was because of the bumper car action in turns 1 and 2. | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 616 Registered: 8-2001 |
Tony George killed the race by raising the enty fees by 50% for FNA to run there. It was well known that George didn't like the Challenge series because he felt it was an amateur race series and not really high quality racing such as the Supercup Porsche's. The Supercup series features many international racers who are up and coming F3, F3000 and Touring car racers. The Challenge series had no fan base as the drivers are all amatuer. George raised the entry fees the past three years but it was only when the Challenge series started running into financial problems that his ploy worked. To run at the front you will spend $400,000 to $500,000 (including car) and that is just plain stupid for a series that has maybe one or two professional level talent drivers. For half a million you can run in Grand Am or do a low budget partial ALMS season in GT class and get much better sponsor exposure. AND it's real racing! Regards, Jon P. Kofod 1995 F355 Challenge #23 | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4698 Registered: 12-2000 |
I think David Moore has the right idea (see the other thread), cheap Challenge races at vintage events that you can spectate or run another car yourself. Makes for a complete fun race weekend. Costs about $1,500-2,000 to run a 355 C yourself for a weekend vs. the five digits to run with FNA. | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 4499 Registered: 5-2001 |
To run with the pack you have to constantly update your car, meaning buy a new Challenge car every 2 years. The 2000 Challenge 360s can not run with the 2003 Challnege 360s. Only the big dealer teams can and will afford that. Sad but true. If they would open up and add 355 Challenge under their own race again, maybe even the 348 Challenge cars I am sure there would be more participants, but there is only so many privateers that will be buying a $200,000 car and trash it on the track with some yokels that get their parts cheap from ferrari direct. | ||
| Andy Falsetta (Tuttebenne)
Junior Member Username: Tuttebenne Post Number: 103 Registered: 3-2003 |
The schedule really shrunk this year. I guess money is the issue - fewer participants who can commit to the entire schedule. I hope they keep the Montreal date. It fun to watch five experienced drivers and 15 "in development" on the track at the same time. Last year one poor soul was running way too fast down the straight in the rain on the last lap of a practice session. He lost it and nearly totalled the car in the process as the car richoceted (sp?) off the armco. | ||
| Dan Root (Dr00t)
New member Username: Dr00t Post Number: 2 Registered: 5-2003 |
I called Ferrari of N. America today and they told me they decided not to have a challenge in the United States. (Indianapolis). Does anyone know why? Thanks! |