Nasty crash LV Indy
Discussion
Gaz. said:
Eric Mc said:
It's a real pity that we are seeing the "Sky Obscure Soportman" effect in operation.
If you participate in a sport that is confined to Sky only, no one knows who you are - no matter how successful you may have been.
Sad really.
Thank God Indycars was also available on Eurosport & Premier sports then.If you participate in a sport that is confined to Sky only, no one knows who you are - no matter how successful you may have been.
Sad really.
Sky hasn't had an exclusive deal on Indycars for a number of years now.
Dan participated in a US-centric sport, it'd be no different if an English ice hockey player died in a freak accident in a NHL.
Eric Mc said:
It hasn't always been American centric though. There have been times when it was getting great coverage on British mainstream TV.
I can remember CART being tucked away at 4am or something on ITV, and I'm sure Grandstand used to show the Indy 500? Always fascinated me as a kid, as the cars were more colourful (Penzoil livery and so on) and it all seemed somehow more exotic than F1. Major coverage only really started when Mansell went out there, and I think that's probably how many people got interested in the series. Other than Blundell, the Brits out there since have only really been known within motorsport circles. Yes, Justin Wilson was in F1 for a bit, but he was never really mainstream. Personally, I've loved seeing the Brits win over there, as it continues our motorsport history, but the media is only ever going to focus on F1 sadly.Eric Mc said:
It hasn't always been American centric though. There have been times when it was getting great coverage on British mainstream TV.
Channel 5 used to show all the races, remember watching Blundell having a scary crash and then finally getting his first win! Zanardi's move on Herta(??) was my introduction to the corkscrew. Eric Mc said:
The mid 1990s was a good period for Indycar coverage in the UK.
The split with CART and IRL really ruined what could have been a true rival to F1. It was building a momentum that was totally dissipated.
And of course we have Rockingham that could have provided some real inertia for the series here.The split with CART and IRL really ruined what could have been a true rival to F1. It was building a momentum that was totally dissipated.
StevieBee said:
And of course we have Rockingham that could have provided some real inertia for the series here.
Shame they had the first race theere at the end of september and guess what...it rained! Hopefully the tribute of sky tonight will show the tabloids and rent a qoutes how to do it.
robmlufc said:
StevieBee said:
And of course we have Rockingham that could have provided some real inertia for the series here.
Shame they had the first race theere at the end of september and guess what...it rained! Hopefully the tribute of sky tonight will show the tabloids and rent a qoutes how to do it.
t headlines some have come up withGaz. said:
Eric Mc said:
It hasn't always been American centric though. There have been times when it was getting great coverage on British mainstream TV.
Of course Indycars is American-centric Eric. 13 races in the US, 2 races in Canada, one in Japan and one in Brazil for this season.In regards to British TV coverage it's been bumped around various stations like an unwanted relative.
That is one of teh failings of Indycar - it straddles the Atlantic a bit and somehow manages to fall into it.
Just as I said, the split was the main nail in its (potentioal) coffin. NASACAR was always to more popular of the two disciplines but after 1996 NASACAR just took off due to clever marketing and the rival series self-destructing due to internal strife.
Is there ever going to be a way back for Indy Cars?
Is there ever going to be a way back for Indy Cars?
Eric Mc said:
Is there ever going to be a way back for Indy Cars?
I'd say it was at it's peak in the early 90's with drivers who were international stars - Andretti (Mario), Fittipaldi (Emerson) and ofcourse our Nige.To the outsider who had no knowledge of Indycars, here were household names who you knew were top drivers (even if a bit past it) and gave credence to the local boys who competed with them.
The current crop of drivers are most likely equally top quality, but without that barometer to for the casual follower to measure them against, they are liable to be positioned above/below other series based on popularity and marketing alone, rather than actual substance.
Eric Mc said:
Just as I said, the split was the main nail in its (potentioal) coffin. NASACAR was always to more popular of the two disciplines but after 1996 NASACAR just took off due to clever marketing and the rival series self-destructing due to internal strife.
Is there ever going to be a way back for Indy Cars?
I think the only way they can get anywhere near the heights CART achieved pre-split is to get as far from NASCAR territory as possible, conceptually and geographically. They need to do something to differentiate the series in the mind of the fans. I think the street events are heading in the right direction (unlike the course vehicles at said races), as Baltimore seemed to be genuine popular, so perhaps more of that. That upsets people who dislike motorsport as an "event", but I think it's the only way to maintain interest. Look at the upcoming Gold Cost 600 as an example. V8SC is a purely domestic series, but the interest and the driver line up for that event is stellar. They need to be looking in that sort of direction. A core of interesting US races with the 500 as the jewell in the crown, maybe one event with a "gimmick" like the twin race format (qualifier and main feature perhaps?), a swing through Canada forming a "Triple Crown" mini-series and then a few races south of the border. I'd love to see them at Brands or Donington, but they need to get the core series working again before they think about anything like that. Key thing is distancing themselves from NASCAR.Is there ever going to be a way back for Indy Cars?
weyland yutani said:
I have zero interest in American motorsport so it's quite sad that I wasn't aware of Dan Wheldon and his massive achievements untill he was dead 
There are some fantastic series out there and some equally spectacular circuits for them to run on. Well worth starting to hunt around and get in to it. deviant said:
There are some fantastic series out there and some equally spectacular circuits for them to run on. Well worth starting to hunt around and get in to it.
It was interesting on the DW tribute show that the 3 drivers who beat him in karting were all racing in Indycar this year! I think they should ditch most of the ovals now, they had a great series in CART and should look at rebuilding that. They dont even have Road America on next years calendar!!!!http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95554
Dan Wheldon's funeral will be held on Saturday in Florida, his family has announced.
The funeral will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg, 701 Beach Drive N.E. in St. Petersburg, Florida at 10am ET.
Wheldon's wife Susie has invited members of the community to attend the service.
"Although the last few days have been unbearable for our family, the overwhelming love and support we have received are rays of sunshine during these dark days," she said in a statement release by IndyCar.
"The outpouring of sympathy and condolences has been so comforting, and I want to thank everyone for their kind notes, letters, gifts and flowers.
"Dan touched the lives of many people, and I would like to invite those citizens in our community who knew and loved my husband to attend his funeral service at the First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg on Saturday, October 22, at 10 a.m.
"Though we won't be able to fit everyone inside, I know that Dan would have wanted the community to share in the celebration of his life and to grieve his passing. Thank you again. I am forever grateful for your kindness."
IndyCar has also announced that the Dan Wheldon Family Trust Fund has been established for the financial security of his family.
Contributions to Family Trust Fund can be made at the following address:
Fifth Third Private Bank
Attn: Dan Wheldon Family Trust
251 North Illinois St.
Suite 1000
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Those wishing to send their sympathy and condolences to the Wheldon family, can address letters to:
The Wheldons
9600 Koger Blvd N, Ste. 105
St Petersburg, FL 33702
IndyCar will hold a public memorial service to celebrate the life of Wheldon at 4pm (ET) on Sunday at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Dan Wheldon's funeral will be held on Saturday in Florida, his family has announced.
The funeral will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg, 701 Beach Drive N.E. in St. Petersburg, Florida at 10am ET.
Wheldon's wife Susie has invited members of the community to attend the service.
"Although the last few days have been unbearable for our family, the overwhelming love and support we have received are rays of sunshine during these dark days," she said in a statement release by IndyCar.
"The outpouring of sympathy and condolences has been so comforting, and I want to thank everyone for their kind notes, letters, gifts and flowers.
"Dan touched the lives of many people, and I would like to invite those citizens in our community who knew and loved my husband to attend his funeral service at the First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg on Saturday, October 22, at 10 a.m.
"Though we won't be able to fit everyone inside, I know that Dan would have wanted the community to share in the celebration of his life and to grieve his passing. Thank you again. I am forever grateful for your kindness."
IndyCar has also announced that the Dan Wheldon Family Trust Fund has been established for the financial security of his family.
Contributions to Family Trust Fund can be made at the following address:
Fifth Third Private Bank
Attn: Dan Wheldon Family Trust
251 North Illinois St.
Suite 1000
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Those wishing to send their sympathy and condolences to the Wheldon family, can address letters to:
The Wheldons
9600 Koger Blvd N, Ste. 105
St Petersburg, FL 33702
IndyCar will hold a public memorial service to celebrate the life of Wheldon at 4pm (ET) on Sunday at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
team underdog said:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95554
IndyCar has also announced that the Dan Wheldon Family Trust Fund has been established for the financial security of his family.
Contributions to Family Trust Fund can be made at the following address:
Fifth Third Private Bank
Attn: Dan Wheldon Family Trust
At risk of appearing insensitive here (I am honestly not trying to kick a hornets nest), why is this necessary? As terrible a blow to his wife and children as this is, Wheldon earned more than $4 million dollars in prize money by winning the 500 in 95 and this year, over and above his retainers during that time. About the only thing they should not be short of is financial security.IndyCar has also announced that the Dan Wheldon Family Trust Fund has been established for the financial security of his family.
Contributions to Family Trust Fund can be made at the following address:
Fifth Third Private Bank
Attn: Dan Wheldon Family Trust
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