Barnhart Out At IndyCar

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96587

 

Damned good thing, too. Beaux, Scott or best yet, Steve Horne would be great!

 

Thankfully.

However I doubt it matters much. IndyCar will die a slow death with Danica gone.

 

There's a shocker.

 

Replace him with the chief steward of the Bull Riding series!

 

Something you and I finally agree on!

Except, Danica being gone won't have much to do with it, and it will be a little bit quicker death. The fact Newman-Haas pulled the plug for the upcoming season, and Penske runs unsponsored cars tells a lot. How do you NOT find a sponsor for a top-rate team?

 

easy, you don't offer a compelling return to advertisers for the money they would have to put into the sponsorship.

Indycar is expensive and has horrible ratings and race attendance, I wouldn't sponsor it either. there's no value.

 

Correction to the title of this thread.

Barnhart is still on payroll. He is President of Operations. Too much knowledge and skills that can still be utilized elsewhere.

He is no longer Chief Racing Steward. They are splitting the responsibilities into two separate positions. Something that should have been done a long time ago. Plus, BB really messed up this past season and a change was needed.

 

They need to dump Randy Bernard aswell, IndyCar is controlled by nothing more than a bunch idiots imho. Any racing series imho needs to have atleast a few shooters ie former racers in control who know what real racing is about.

 

I disagree when it comes to Randy Bernard. I support what he is doing 100%.

New chassis in 2012 with multiple aero kits in 2013.
Chevy and Lotus joining Honda for 3 engine packages.
We have 26 car/driver combinations confirmed with more to be announced.
We have new teams coming in for 2012.
TrueCar sponsoring woman development in motorsports in karting, Star Mazada, USF2000 and IndyCar.
Indy 500 stands are filling back up again.

Yes, we lost a great racer, gentleman and family man in Vegas. IndyCar is finishing up the inquiry into that and will report shortly and then move into defining safety issues moving forward.

If we could really kick-start the economy again so people that have to currently decide between a roof & food, could go back to buying a ticket to their local track, be it Midgets, NASCAR or IndyCar, that would be great for all of motorsports. That is something that Randy had nothing to do with.

 

I like what Bernard has to say but I still feel that series need's a former CART driver to be in control.

 

The only place I feel a respected, retired driver should be in control of is Race Control right now.

 

Agreed again!

 

I agree with you. I tend to overlook certain aspects and IndyCar is a business when it is all said and done.

 

At a time when ratings and sponsorship are low, good idea, let's throw in a guess which engine to buy, plus purchase new cars (in kit form), great business sense.

I get 2-3 guys a week come through looking for a job, most are burned out and still young! Many small teams lack both funds and expertise in the fine art of car BUILDING, a far cry from pick it up, fettle and run that they used to have. Deliveries are already behind and testing due in just a few weeks.

Long way to go to pull this out of the fire, getting rid of Brainfart was the first step.

 

Viewership, attendance up in 2011 season

http://www.indycar.com/news/show/55-izod-indycar-series/51003-viewership-attendance-up-in-2011-season/#.TtehAgvfUx8.twitter

Yes, it could be better, but it is trending in the right direction.