Why isn't Ferrari in Indy racing? | FerrariChat

Why isn't Ferrari in Indy racing?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by KENCO, Apr 5, 2008.

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  1. KENCO

    KENCO Formula 3

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    Why doesn't Ferrari show them how the big boys do it? Since the St. Pete Grand pix is in my backyard tomorrow, I would like to see Ferrari in the race.

    1. Is Indy not worthy of Ferrari?
    2. Does Indy not want Ferrari?
    3. Any ideas?
     
  2. Fritz Ficke

    Fritz Ficke Formula 3 Rossa Subscribed

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    Indy cars/CHAMP/CART/USAC is a 'good ole boy' politicly group and rules are made to faver and discourge people.
    for instance when Porsche built a car for the Indy 500 and when it look like it would dominate the rules were changed 24 hours before the race to make them not competive. Porsche never tried again.
    It is a show first and a race second, kinda of an opeon wheel version of NASCAR.
     
  3. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

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    Fangio ran a Ferrari at Indy back in the 50s, Not sure if he actually ran the race

    Indy has been down on its luck ever since CART split into 2 groups

    Now it just doesnt have the importance it used to have

    I mean NASCAR now is above Indycar racing

    So F is just not interested

    Besides they have their hands full spending $300M + trying to win F1 every year
     
  4. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ Lifetime Rossa

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    Would much rather see Ferrari do something in sports cars rather than Indy cars.
     
  5. Husker

    Husker F1 World Champ

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    I think it would be cool for Ferrari to have a team on the CHAMP circuit. I do wonder if it would be a huge boost to Ferrari merchandise sales/brand awareness in the U.S. if they had a CART/IRL/CHAMP program. But they probably don't need a boost.

    Sadly, the Indy 500 has definitely lost its luster. If Tony George was SMART, the Indy 500 WOULD BE the U.S. F-1 race !!!
     
  6. KENCO

    KENCO Formula 3

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    One race? They race more than one.

    Why couldn't Ferrari modify there F1 car?
     
  7. furious_ferrari

    furious_ferrari F1 Rookie

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    Ferrari is in F1. Indy is the poor mans F1. They dont need to waste their time.
     
  8. ferraridude615

    ferraridude615 F1 Veteran

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    +1, plus they would have to start from scratch. They would not be able to use their F1 engine or any of the chassis or body. Plus, would Ferrari rather win races around the world, or in the midwestern United States.
     
  9. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

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    Ferrari couldn't likely compete in a series where the sanctioning body wasn't in their pocket like F1.
     
  10. F512M

    F512M Formula Junior

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    I recall there being a restriction in the F1 contracts limiting all teams to F1 only. Any Ferraris racing outside of F1 are private teams making Ferrari a supplier and not a manufacturer team.
     
  11. Husker

    Husker F1 World Champ

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    Doesn't Honda race in an American open wheel circuit, as well as F1?
     
  12. gf1red

    gf1red Formula Junior

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    F1 is the best of the best, and Ferrari is the best in F1. Why would they waste their time? What I'd like to see them do is race prototypes in American Lemans series. Those 333SP were sweet.
     
  13. ferraridude615

    ferraridude615 F1 Veteran

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    We need Ferrari to get back into Le Mans/endurance races and go for some overall wins, thats what Enzo intended.
     
  14. dakharris

    dakharris Two Time F1 World Champ

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    Has the IRL changed its rules? I thought that all chassis were Dallara and all engines were Honda.
     
  15. KENCO

    KENCO Formula 3

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    I think I would have to agree. F1 is the best of the best. 25 years ago Cart was a big thing, but now as someone else had said, its like glorified Nascar.

    I love the 333SP!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdpsFIqTpa0&feature=related
     
  16. DennisForza

    DennisForza Formula 3

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    Back in the day's when Tony's dad or granddad were running things at Indy, didn't running and/or winning the Indy 500 provide points toward the World Drivers Championship? Was a long time ago, but I am pretty sure it was the way things were in the 50's and maybe even early 60's. Would be great for the FIA to come up with some sort of ranking for intra-disaplinary racers. Provide points for every race at the top of each catagory, NASCAR, Sports Car, Open Wheel, and get a real champion driver each year.
     
  17. b-mak

    b-mak F1 Veteran

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    Huh?
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  18. Pirate75

    Pirate75 Karting

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    Thats the funniest post on that I've seen on this site! But remember, to some of the users on here, English is not their first language. They are from all over the world. But still funny as hell...
     
  19. rmnunez

    rmnunez Rookie

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    Ferrari did build an indy car in 1987, I guess they did it as a political move threatening to leave F1 if they did not get there way with some rule changes, the car was never fully developed.

    here is a link with a couple of photos of the car at the indy car museum

    http://homepage.mac.com/mfc143/race/ferrari_indy.html
     
  20. FandLcars

    FandLcars F1 Rookie

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    That's exactly what I was thinking. Look at F1 and there's no comparison. Ferrari would not even take time to think about running in IRL.
     
  21. FandLcars

    FandLcars F1 Rookie

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    Don't you mean 'eh? Some people have a hard time typing. I'll give the guy a break.
     
  22. spirot

    spirot F1 World Champ

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    Ferrari has raced at Indy 500 back in the 50's... but that was when it was counted as a race for the world Championship. it was not a Factory supported effort. Ascari drove and dropped out.

    Enzo Ferrari always wanted to race at Indy, cause the money was good... but never did it, then in the 70's it was just not feasable.

    back in the late 80's Enzo had them make a CART PPG race car, it never really ran, he did it to force F-1 allow V-12 engines and to get the Concorde agreement signed and settled. otherwise he was going to race only in America. I was a threat that worked.

    Today Indy, IRL I dont think would really mean anything for them. there is no money in it, they dont need the exposure, why spend the money to go nowhere... not that F-1 is going somewhere...

    IRL / CART has really surrendered to NASCAR... so whats the point?

    I would much rather see them back at Le Mans .... and Prototype racing.
     
  23. RMDC

    RMDC Formula 3

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    Roundy round racing (Indy) and road racing ( F1 ) require 2 different vehicles. Racing has always been ridiculously expensive. Who, today, can afford to do both Indy/CART and F1??? NASCAR does both, but how well?
     
  24. b-mak

    b-mak F1 Veteran

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    OMFG

    You people sound like the bleeding heart socialists indigenous to Canada!

    What's next? "Don't be so mean. Some people just can't read."?
     
  25. TestShoot

    TestShoot F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    Realistically Indy uses such antiquated technology, and chasis are so cheap to produce, it is hard to believe an effort would not be made.

    Like with the other circuits, when the main competitors can't compete with foreign entries, they lock it down to the old boy network. That and the American racing public would not get it at all.

    Long Beach is the only interesting race they even offer here for open wheel.

    I agree on the 333SP, the only Ferrari I have ever lusted after, screw the 250GTO.

    Who says you can't drive open wheel here though, I mean, hell here I am doing it...
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