Comments on: What’s Worse Than A Ride Buyer?

By: James O

James O — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 13:11:29 +0000

Salt Walther.

In any era you can find someone who bought his ride and deserved to be there, and someone who bought his ride and was a danger to everyone else on the track. The problem with auto racing over most sports is that if you somehow bought your way into the NFL, you end up humiliated quickly. If you don’t belong in auto racing, you could be killed (or kill or maim others).

By: Bent Wickerbill

Bent Wickerbill — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 12:11:19 +0000

Get rid of the spec series and it may just grow on its own….

By: Brad

Brad — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 03:12:26 +0000

Another broken record is playing…..

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 01:38:12 +0000

If you don’t want ride buyers at Indy, the solution is simple. Cancel the 17… errr 15 other races on the schedule and only run the 500.

Sponsors are willing to pay what it takes to fund a car for the 500 at a level where ride buyers would not be needed. They are not, however, willing to fund a car for races with 30K in the stands and 200K watching at home.

You need to let the series die to bring the 500 back. Then you can organically grow the series from there.

By: Bent Wickerbill

Bent Wickerbill — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:06:29 +0000

AJ….
I have to agree, that while the offer has indeed been extended to Connor Daly, that does not necessarily mean that the offer will be accepted. The problem is that while we all, generally speaking enjoy IRL racing “such as it is”, it is certainly not the pinnacle of racing that it once was. Mr. Daly may very well take an alternate path.

By: JP

JP — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 22:18:01 +0000

AJ don’t confuse “Not wanting to do Indy Yet” with “Not wanting to do Indy”. Ultimately Connor wants to maximize his earning potential over his career and invariably that means racing in either F1 or nascar. Connor has said that doing Indy is important, but he hopes that would be after an F1career. F1 must be done when young as most careers there are over by 30, and at that point he would still have 10 years to pursue the Indy dream after the financial future had been secured.

George, if most the current drivers don’t like Texas but do it because they have to, what does that make them?

By: BrianMcKay

BrianMcKay — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:57:41 +0000

I agree with the idea that the best, the fastest, ought to be racing in any given series and in any given race, rather than hacks with cash. I would rather see supremely talented racers who’re not head-over-heels in love with a facility competing than see slow ridebuyers tootling around and obstructing racers.
I’d rather have Hulme, Clark, Stewart, Hill, & Montoya than Roth, Duno, Vitolo, Matsushita, Mutoh, etcetera.

By: A.J.

A.J. — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:03:21 +0000

Even though he’s American, this is *EXACTLY* what worries me about Conner Daly. Would he really want to come through Indy Lights to the Indycar Series and race the 500?

If I’m wrong about him, I’ll own up and be glad I was wrong. He’s a rising star, and would benefit the series if he truly wants to be a part of it. But honestly: Does he truly *want* to drive Indycar? I know Bernard wants him on the ladder, but does Conner himself want to?

By: The Lapper

The Lapper — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:16:33 +0000

George, as for the American drivers who had devoted their entire lives to racing in the 500, a place on the starting grid was never their spot to lose to that driver that was forced to be there against his or her wishes. Those are open spots and you get in the field by qualifying for it. It never makes a difference what a driver’s atitude is regarding Indy, it is what that driver does when he gets there. Tomorrow is never promised and neither is a spot in the starting grid for the Indianapolis 500. Al jr and Paul Tracy know that, too.

The Lapper
The barber shaves another customer

By: The Speedgeek

The Speedgeek — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:32:32 +0000

George, I’ll come right out and say it for you: you don’t like Juan Montoya. Doesn’t that feel good to get off your chest? You’re welcome.