F1 Teetering CART in disarray and now from the IRL

After 12 years of open-wheel racing in the United States, Toyota will withdraw from the sport following the 2006 Indy Racing League season, it was announced today.

Toyota will not be participating as an engine supplier to either of the major open-wheel sanctioning bodies in the United States after 2006.
"This was simply a decision to move in a different direction after having our major U.S. motorsports emphasis on open-wheel racing since 1994," said J. Davis Illingworth, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., senior vice president. "Just as our participation in IMSA sports car racing ran its course after 12 years of participation, so has our U.S. open-wheel racing program after 12 years in the IRL and CART."
Toyota announced its decision to enter open-wheel racing in January 1994 with its entry into competition in 1996. The decision to withdraw from open-wheel racing will not affect either the IndyCar Series engine development program for the remainder of 2005 or the 2006 season, or any of the current contracts that Toyota has with individual teams. Toyota is in the process of reviewing how to re-allocate its resources for future motorsports plans.
A Chronological Look At Toyota's U.S. Open-Wheel Racing History
Aug. 1993 – Toyota begins feasibility study into entering CART competition
Jan. 1994 - Toyota announces it will enter CART competition in 1996
Feb. 1996 – Toyota makes first CART start at Homestead
Oct. 1999 – Scott Pruett wins Toyota's first CART pole at California Speedway
June 2000 – Juan Montoya wins Toyota's first CART race at Milwaukee
July 2000 – Juan Montoya wins Toyota's first 500-mile race at Michigan
April 2001 – Toyota announces it will enter Indy Racing League competition in 2003
2002 – Cristiano da Matta wins CART Driver's championship with Toyota power
2002 – Toyota wins CART Manufacturer's championship
March 2003 – Scott Dixon wins Toyota's debut IndyCar Series race at Homestead
May 2003 – Gil de Ferran wins the Indianapolis 500 in Toyota's first attempt
2003 – Scott Dixon wins IndyCar Series Driver's championship with Toyota power
2003 – Toyota wins IRL Manufacturer's championship

 

Im other words, they've already accomplished everything they set out to do.

I expect a strong NASCAR Busch and Nextel cup push, after their success in the Craftsman NASCAR truck racing series

 

For sure, Toyota's exit from the American open wheeled arena in favor of NASCAR will have far reaching implications on racing around the world.

I expect this will be the first in a great many changes taking place in all of
the relevant racing series.

Toyota's accomplishments aside, they have been successful in everything they've entered but their success in Cup (where they are set to spend $1B) may cause some very serious changes within the category.

BHW

TOYOTA MOTORSPORTS ACCOMPLISHMENTS

YEAR(S) ACCOMPLISHMENT
2004 Toyota's first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win; Michigan (Travis Kvapil)
2004 NHRA Funny Car 1st Win (Jerry Toliver)
2003 IndyCar Series Driver's Championship (Scott Dixon)
2003 IndyCar Series Engine Manufacturer's Championship
2003 Toyota's first Indianapolis 500 win (Gil de Ferran)
2003 NASCAR Goody’s Dash Championship (Robert Huffman)
2003 CORR Pro Lite Championship (Jeff Kincaid)
2002 CART Driver's Championship (Cristiano da Matta)
2002 CART Manufacturer's Championship
2002 CORR Pro 4 Championship (Johnny Greaves)
2002 CORR Pro Lite Championship (Jeff Kincaid)
2001 CORR Pro Lite Championship (Jeff Kincaid)
2000 CORR Pro Lite Championship (Jeff Kincaid)
2000 Toyota's first CART race win; Milwaukee Mile (Juan Montoya)
1999 Toyota's first CART pole position; California Speedway (Scott Pruett)
1999 CORR Pro Lite Championship (Johnny Greaves)
1999 Pikes Peak Hill Climb Overall Winner (Rod Millen)
1998 Pikes Peak Hill Climb Overall Winner (Rod Millen)
1998 CORR Pro Lite Championship (Johnny Greaves)
1997 CORR Pro Lite Championship (Johnny Greaves)
1997 Pikes Peak Hill Climb Overall Winner (Rod Millen)
1996 Pikes Peak Hill Climb Overall Winner (Rod Millen)
1994 Pikes Peak Hill Climb Overall Winner (Rod Millen; holds current world record)
1993 SCORE Off-Road Desert Overall Driver’s Championship (Ivan Stewart)
1993 Baja 1000 winner (Ivan Stewart)
1993 IMSA GTP Driver's Championship (Juan Manuel Fangio II)
1993 IMSA GTP Manufacturer's Championship
1993 Sebring 12 Hours Overall Winner (Juan Manuel Fangio II, Andy Wallace)
1993 Daytona 24 Hours Overall Winner (P.J. Jones, Mark Dismore, Rocky Moran)
1992-93 IMSA GTP record 17 consecutive victories
1992 IMSA GTP Driver's Championship (Juan Manuel Fangio II)
1992 IMSA GTP Manufacturer's Championship
1992 Sebring 12 Hours Overall Winner (Juan Manuel Fangio II, Andy Wallace)
1990 SCORE Off-Road Desert Overall Driver’s Championship (Ivan Stewart)
1988 SCORE World Championship (Ivan Stewart)
1987 IMSA GTO Driver's Championship (Chris Cord)
1987 IMSA GTO Manufacturer's Championship
1985 SCORE World Championship (Ivan Stewart)
1984 SCORE World Championship (Ivan Stewart)
1983-94 MTEG Off-Road Stadium Series Driver’s Championships (9)
1983-94 MTEG Off-Road Stadium Series Manufacturer’s Championships (11)
1983 SCORE World Championship (Ivan Stewart)

 

I'm thinking they're probably also trying to focus more on F1 to get that first elusive victory and then later aim for a title.

 

Like all major car manufacturers their first focus is on selling their product. This is why they should be welcomed in F1, but not allowed to take over. When winning a championship has no effect on their sales they will move to another series. Any series that relies solely on major manufacturers is taking a big risk.

 

With Toyota out Honda sure to follow leaving GM with one pathetic package in one soon to be pathetic series to compete with the Ford ChampCar series


Can't we all just get along

 

GM is out of the IRL at the end of this season.

BHW

 

Watch for Honda to go to ALMS in 2007. Tony George is going to be funding engines as well. Wonder when the Hulmans will have enough of him spending their inheritance.

ChampCar is a growing series, hardly in disarray. They still have some challenges to overcome, but at this point, now that Danicamania has faded, they look to be in a pretty good position.

 

Agreed on both

Tony George ====== I don't get it I really don't

 

Lets just hope that Tony George trys to take over F1.

 

Next to Michael Andretti, Tony George has to be the biggest member of the "Lucky Sperm Club" in racing.

BHW

 

May I nominate Ralfie to become an honorary member?

 

ok but Michael actually did something with his.... TG has screwed the pooch

 

Mikey may not have the class that papa does, but he's a decent enough driver. More unlucky than bad, I think.

 

Exactly, and he was a fine driver as well.

 

And I think Marco Andretti will be one of the next stars of American open-wheel racing. By the time he makes it to the big time (2007?) I predict that CART and the IRL will have merged.......

 

I think Michael was always over rated. He did well in Champ Cars but forrays in to sports cars and his famous F-1 debacle ("I couldnt find the brake balance knob") seperated him from Mario who could drive any type of car fast and win.

Hell, while Mario was winning the F-1 World Championship, he was coming back to the States on his off weekends to drive in sprint car races on dirt!

Given the history the Andrettis have with Tony George and the IMS, it was good to see Mikey win as a team owner this year however.

BHW