Interesting Rumor

Got a call tonight from a friend who said Ed Hinton has published a column claiming that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is for sale and that ISC (NASCAR) and Disney are bidding for it. I don't know how true it is but it sure is interesting. Tony George has spent many millions propping up the
IRL-and his ego-over the past decade or so. Is the financial pressure getting to the Hulman family?

The Disney connection sounds implausible. They ran an IRL race or two at Disney World but dropped it quickly. Will Minnie Mouse replace Danica as the hottest chick in the IRL?

It may explain the recent rumors about CART/IRL unification talks. A unified series would make IMS more valuable. And where is Kalkhoven in all this? If Champ Car bought the Speedway all their worries would be over. The original CART/USAC split was caused by the car owners dissatisfaction with the Hulman family, and the current squabble is based upon control of the Speedway and the 500.

If true, let's just hope the France Family doesn't take control of IMS.

Let the speculation begin!

 

I read in Autoweek the same rumors as well. It should be interesting. I still would love to see an IRL/CART Reunification, with the strongest teams and venues. There is still time IMO for an American Open Wheel series as CART was fantastic in the 90's to watch.

 

I suspect Kalkhoven and Champcar may not have enough money to buy the speedway, but that's just a guess. I would hope the the France family doesn't take over, it just sounds like a disaster for open wheel fans in the making but then again if they show the proper respect for the years of tradition then it might be ok. If they were to overly hype the NASCAR race over the openwheel event it would suck. I can only think of one other person that could buy and run the speedway properly. Roger Penske. As far as Tony George and the Hulman family, f*** them all, I hope they become homeless.

 

I recall reading rumors of some such a few years ago, that the land around Indy is worth a fortune, that it will eventually go the way of the Ontario Motor Speedway, unless new income could be found. I don't recall if this was before nascar went there or F1 went there......

I don't think Champ Car could afford it at all, Penske could, ISC could afford Indy, Champ Car, IRL, F1 and any other group it wants.

 

That would be pretty cool if Champ Car owned it. Those races are a lot of fun to watch.

 

Jerry Forsythe is a billionaire and he and Kalkhoven both have access to venture capital if they need it.

 

Yeah, I forgot about him, for some reason I thought he got out of it, I must have been thinking of someone else.

 

But...but....if Champ and IRL reunite, we'll lose the San Jose Grand Prix after only one year!

 

That depends on one thing: if there is guaranteed money up-front (for the sanctioning body).
If so, someone will find a way to race there, if not....... then you are right.

F1 doesn't even put you on the schedule until they have your 20 mill in their pocket, and the number may be higher today.

 

Doesn't Kalkhoven live in the area? That's strong incentive to keep the local race going...

 

If the Hulmans really do sell, i doubt the USGP will be at Indy. Just a feeling i get.

 

I stated in the merger thread that Kalkhoven bought the Long Beach GP organization and this years event will be Kalkhoven/Champ cars and Rolex/France cars. Strange bedfellows, or a glimpse of the future.