Champ Car vs. F1 attendance

Champ Car vs. F1 attendance

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Discussion

egomeister

6,703 posts

264 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2007
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AJS- said:
I think going down the one make route screwed them up a bit. For me it was interesting to see which combinations of chassis/engine/tyre worked best on which circuits. It produced interesting racing because it produced variations between different cars/teams throughout the race, and it kept the series from stagnating.

It also used to have a good mix of drivers like Zanardi who really never made it in F1, Montoya before he was in F1, and the likes of Paul Tracey, who I think is a bit of a prat, but can make for an interesting race.

Racing for die hard fans who would rather watch that than Come Dancing on a Sunday evening.

On the other hand it was also good to see live, sort of like a cartoon racing series with big powerful cars on sticky slicks bouncing and sliding round corners, banging wheels and overtaking each other.

Surely out of these two elements they could have made a decent series?
They were pretty much railroaded down the one make route through the demise of Reynard and the need to cut costs, though I agree that having several competitive manufacturers would be preferable.

It'd be a shame to see ChampCar disappear but I think its a distinct possibilty given the relative strength of the IRL (in teams and through having Indy). I hope ChampCar's expansion worldwide brings enough of a following to allow it to survive...

AJS-

15,366 posts

237 months

Wednesday 24th October 2007
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I think it could if they race on decent tracks. Pick up the ones like Brands Hatch, Estoril, even Imola if F1 are dropping it? Why not have a race at the Nordschlief?

But when they're driving around empty airfields in Mexico I don't have much interest. Zolder was a step in the right direction.

Wouldn't be a bad idea for them to do other events like Surfers where they can reach audiences who will turn up for events like GT cars or national series.

egomeister

6,703 posts

264 months

Wednesday 24th October 2007
quotequote all
AJS- said:
I think it could if they race on decent tracks. Pick up the ones like Brands Hatch, Estoril, even Imola if F1 are dropping it? Why not have a race at the Nordschlief?

But when they're driving around empty airfields in Mexico I don't have much interest. Zolder was a step in the right direction.

Wouldn't be a bad idea for them to do other events like Surfers where they can reach audiences who will turn up for events like GT cars or national series.
But what to link up with that pulls in the crowds? Super GT in Japan maybe, DTM? Most series just don't have sufficient draw...

AJS-

15,366 posts

237 months

Thursday 25th October 2007
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egomeister said:
But what to link up with that pulls in the crowds? Super GT in Japan maybe, DTM? Most series just don't have sufficient draw...
I think it would have to build it's drawing power over a few seasons - GT, touring cars, A1GP all draw reasonable crowds but I don't see any way to get immediate grand prix rivalling coverage. Again a major sponsorship problem.

And that is the catch 22 it will always hit because without big name drivers and car makers people won't have any stake in it, and won't turn out to watch it.

jpf

Original Poster:

1,312 posts

277 months

Friday 9th November 2007
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Last race of the season. No open wheel competition to sepak of. Watching Justine Wilson?

egomeister

6,703 posts

264 months

Friday 9th November 2007
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jpf said:
Last race of the season. No open wheel competition to sepak of. Watching Justine Wilson?
I know Seb has spanked him on the track the last few years but I wouldn't go as far as to say he drives like a girl! hehe

jpf

Original Poster:

1,312 posts

277 months

Friday 9th November 2007
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Well, I heard some thoughts that Justin doesn't drive aggressively enough...

Any yes, I can't type!