Mike S

cars are ugly (tires too small), almost 1/4 of the drivers decided in the last week, too many cars with minimal sponsorship, etc.


25 or so minutes of yellow flag running and no real multicar incidents, just individual accidents and breakdowns.

Only thing worse was NBC's coverage. Thank God they only have three races. Timing/scoring and data on the broadcast was terrible and often inaccurate (had Sebas leading at the first break). Didn't even catch Sebas's crash and never even mentioned what happened to him (damn three time series champion!).

Announcers/color made errors that would make you think it was their first race.

And to think many thought this series was on the rebound. First outing was an embarrassment on all accounts. Second worst open wheel race to the first IRL race, IMO.

Mike S

AutoXJunkie (Justin)

having 1/2 the cars finishing in a spec-car series...FTMFL!

D all over

It's beyond belief that the new car was still in this state at its first race. If they can't get the car sorted in a hurry there could be some good racing at the sharp end of this year's field, but I expect Long Beach and Houston will too closely resemble today's race.

As for the lack of sponsorship goes, well, it's hard to justify sponsoring a car in a series whose rating can't justify the cost. I'm sure KK lined up the first races of the year on network tv to get a ratings boost to make Champ Car more attractive.

Sucks that the best thing Champ Car had going for it is now struggling to make the show in his new Camery

Mike S

Yep, Terrible. The F1 race embarrassed it, especially the first 20 minutes.

4NG CRCS

otoh, they'll run the whole champ car series for less than one team's f1 budget

pattycakes® iCode

You can't defend your position if you read the rule by the letter.

What a joke.

Mike S

broadcast quality, etc.

Watch an IMSA Lites race. $60K cars with tight, quaility racing, Watch Rolex GT. Watch SCCA Speed Touring and GT.


Champ Car died do to owner/board ego and mismanagement. But they have yet risen with this type of track, an average looking car, an inconsistent tv package, ever changing sponsors, contunual driver shifts, etc.

I hope it works out, but seeing the first race and the coverage, I am not optimistic.

MIke S

4NG CRCS

I thought the cars looked terrific in the test sessions at Laguna... the seabass track record lap put the capability of the car in perspective.

Problem with the series seems to be a lack of confidence on the part of the existing/prospective teams in the continued viability of the series. And Kalkhoven ain't no Bernie, so they're probably justified in being less than confident.

I think money does have some effect on race quality in that the particpants need to be confident enough about the future of the series to invest in development of their teams.

It sure would be nice to see this series on some real race tracks.

snoogins

I used to go to several races in the mid-west, including Mid Ohio the Indy 500. Now I don't go to anything but the 500, and it's not even a CHAMP cars race any more. Open wheel racing in the US is gonna die in the next 10 years if something doesn't happen. Two series can't be supported by the fan base, and I fear that they're BOTH gonna dry up and blow away unless a solution is reached to re-integrate.