The engine supplier also use CART to self-promote. The engine is and has always been an important aspect in racing. The chassis also, since it changes the handling from car to car...all this is very strange and i thought Chris Pook was to make good changes for the sport, not that all he did was wrong, but this is a bit too much...

just my 2 cents

 

I beleive Chris Pook did what he had to. CART was trying to make it easier on their teams who wanted to compete in the Indy 500, so they tried to adopt a 3.5L formula with the same mounting points as the IRL engines. Lola was all set to develop a chassis to compete in the IRL, but Tony George declared that he would not allow a manufacturer to compete in his series if they supplied chassis to CART. Chris Pook has accepted that Tony George has no intentions of bettering American open wheeel racing, and his sole purpose is to make sure CART does not survive, thereby making his the only series.

While I love the variety of manufacturers that CART has had in the past (only a few years ago they had Mercedes, Honda, Toyota, Ford, Swift, Reynard, Lola, Goodyear, Firestone), it had to be expensive. Some of the best racing in F1 history was when most teams were using the Cosworth DFV engine.

The ironic thing is that if CART never fooled with the engine formula, Honda and ZFord would still be there next year.

 

CART is in so much trouble. They can't even get 18 cars to race.

They probably reversed their thinking on engines, since all of the manufacturers were pulling out. I'd be surprised to see CART survive past a few years.

 

Just hucking this puppy over to the Sports Forum...

 

Really? Have you seen any IRL races lately? Seems to me that, other than the Indy 500, most American race fans could care less about the IRL based on how empty the stands are at all the other IRL races. The people that are into watching circle track races are NASCAR or USAC fans. It seems to me that CART draws much larger crowds than the IRL (other than the Indy 500) and that it's probably a different fan base, for the most part. I'm glad they've scrapped the plans to go to the IRL formula, IMO they should do everything they can to differentiate themselves from that series. I think that CART is headed back in the right direction and that it's the IRL that's in trouble.

 

Rodney,

I think the IRL is in much better shape right now. They have a great TV deal, and a lot of interest from some good teams (Penske, Ganasi, etc.). I'm not saying I like the IRL better, I totally like CART better. They have better drivers, better cars, and better courses. Unfortunately, from what I've been reading in the papers, CART is having problems getting enough cars in races. A lot of the teams have been having financial dificulties with sponsorships. Seems like everyone is leaving CART and jumping to the IRL (Honda to name an example). Also, I think CART has some clause in their TV contract that says something about getting paid less if the race has less than 18 cars in it. CART just seems to be in worse shape.

 

Well, based on the number of butts in the seats for IRL races versus CART, it just seems to me that the IRL is sucking pond water. Of course, as can be seen throughout history, the best product doesn't always win.

 

CART is probably not going to make it. IRL is winning the battle. I was at the GI JOES 200 all weekend (CART race at PIR). Last year they had 25 cars, this year only 18. Max Papis's car had to stay in the trailer because they owed vendors too much money. Consider that the IRL has required their new engine specs to have both right & left side gas inputs which makes me think that they are preparing to compete on road courses as well as ovals.

I hope that CART survives but it doesn't look good.

 

If I remember correctly it happened like this:

1) CART broke their own rules (regarding lead time on new engine rules) by making a switch to NA engines in an attempt to satisfy team owners who want to race at Indy.
2) This rule change (and another SNAFU regarding popoff valves) caused Honda to announce they're quitting CART. They also said they were totally against a "low-tech" NA IRL formula.
3) Without Honda to race against, Toyota announced they're moving to IRL and NA.
4) CART announces they will use a IRL style tub to make it easier for it's teams to compete at Indy.
5) Lola spends $1 million to develop a joint CART/IRL chassis. Then Tony George makes an IRL rule allowing only 3 chassis manufacturers to supply IRL cars. Lola is not selected.
5) Honda, after saying they'll never build a low-tech engine partners with Illmor to make an IRL spec engine and announces they'll compete in the IRL in 2003. They also state that given the similarity to the CART and IRL engines, they see no reason not to sell engines to teams under the Illmor name.
6) Toyota is on the verge of announcing they'll supply a CART spec engine under the TRD (Toyota Racing Development) banner, but are told to wait a week. (the turbo announcement was pending)

Things are now pretty bleak. CART has only one confirmed engine supplier, MG (Judd engines carrying the MG badge), and the other two Honda and Toyota are going to SELL their engines to CART teams. There is only one chassis supplier Lola, who's cars cannot race at Indy. With CART teams paying for their engines, they will, in effect, be paying for the development of the IRL engines that will be GIVEN to select factory teams in the IRL.

The move to a spec engine will do several things:
1) Keep the turbos in CART
2) Allow Cosworth to de-tune the engines to make them a bit less powerful on the superspeedways
3) Lower engine costs from roughly $3-4 per car per year, to $1-1.5 million.
4) Not mentioned above, CART has put a freeze on the current chassis spec for 2003. This will allow the few teams still using Reynards (now bankrupt) to have a chance against Lola. This will also lower costs.
5) I think it also "snookered" TG and the IRL. They were planning on getting a "free ride" on their engines but now the costs of competing in IRL will go up dramatically! IRL rules cap the price the manufacturers may charge for engines, Honda and Toyota must now "suck it up"

Now CART can take it's time and come up with an engine package that makes sense for 2005 and beyond. The 1.8 liter Turbo V-8 has been discussed before and may come up again. Personally I think CART is looking up. Their TV package is not Chris Pooks fault, it was Joe Heitzlers. Since I have Speed, I love it. There is more CART coverage than ever before, CART Friday night, practice and qualifying and a pre-race show. Sure Speed is not in too many homes right now, but anyone who has it is a real race fan, and the perfect target for CART.

 

Dang guys....... where were you for the last 6 months. CART is by far dying. Forget about King George and IRL. Under the leadership of Chris Pook, CART I think is out for the trouble. First of all, it'll be cheaper to race in CART next year with the spec Cosworth motors. Secondly they introduced an Entrant Support Program that provides its teams with more than $1.5 million in value beginning with the 2003 season. So if this had taken effect this year, Mad Max wouldn't had to sat out in the Portland race. Now look at CART's fan support. Long Beach, Mexico, Toronto, Vancouver, Mid-Ohio,etc.... are always packed with people. Fast forward to 2005 when the contract for the spec motor expires. If CART stays with the turbocharge engines, don't be suprise if Porsche and Audi joins CART in 2006 cuz I'm sure by that time they'll be tired of whopping everybody tails in Le Mans and ALMS.