[QUOTE]Originally posted by gregstevens
[B]My take is, as if anyone cares, pretty simple.

 

I think his point was more or less right. That is, your comparison of budgets and suggestion that F1 should have faster lap times based on the money spent (without considering where that money goes) is a fallacy. You actually back this up yourself by pointing out that it's the rules that fundamentally limit a series, but forget to mention that the rules in CART are largely designed to keep costs down. This includes the weight limit because lower weight does cost money. If you allowed F1 the tyres and aerodynamic devices that are used in CART they'd be even further up the road, but the amazing thing is that even with the restrictions placed on them they are considerably faster. This is due in no small part to the money they can spend getting the best designers, facilities and materials. It's fundamentally wrong to suggest that the playing field is level aside from the money, and this is I think what TJ is getting at.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by naishou
[B]Why do Americans always forget that there is a world outside their borders?

 

Wow, I'm a little surprised, naishou, that you gleened that from my note here, even when I said that I love F-1 and watch it when I can. The fact is, however, that F-1 isn't as big here, being a mainly European thing (but that seems to be changing, as you point out) and CART is primarily a US thing. Why would it surprise you that someone (me) support CART? As I said, I go to bewteen 3-5 CART races every year and I also go to F-1. All spectacular events. The allure of F-1, due to its relative rarity, has special appeal and I can't wait for Indy next month...tickets on turn 1!

But let's see, I think IMS holds about 200,000 people...and best case would have been 400,000 people who have attended the F-1 race there. Probably more like 300,000 since a lot of the same people went both of the two years the race has been here. Compare that to Europe where the races are HUGELY attended and far more frequent. It is no surprise to see and understand why F-1 is bigger. It's also no surprise that Michael is the highest paid athlete in the world. The F-1 audience is absolutely HUGE.

Bring more F-1 to the US!!! I would go to every race that I could possibly attend...just like I do with CART races.

One other note about accessibility that I mentioned in my previous message, I was riding my mountain bike around the Champ car paddocks schmoozing with everyone I could. Honda folks, I mentioned that Adrian Fernandez was an arm's length away, pit crew people...whoever I could have a word with. Contrast that with the pit access that IMS has. You pretty much have to be a captain of industry to get access to the pits there. Not really sure why that is, but CART seems to have a more open spirit in that sense. In most cases, I was only about 5-8 feet away from the cars that were being worked on. I think that's pretty damn cool. And it's in NO WAY meant as a slam against F-1.

You also have to consider what the most popular form of otorsports are in America...drag racing and NASCAR. These two eclipse CART and, obviously, F-1, by a longshot.

More accessible makes it a better experience and since CART is just that, it's got my vote...and I would LOVE to have more F-1 races here. And IMO, watching F-1 on the television just doesn't do it justice and the same goes with CART. You HAVE to be there to smell the smells, the hear the engines at full song and to see the spinouts in person...otherwise, it's just a television show.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by naishou
[B]I think his point was more or less right.

 

TWOHOOS - I agree with you. CART cars weigh what they do because that is the minimum weight
allowed. Same with F1 and most other formulas. The tire war probably did add to the quicker lap times
at certain circuits. Also this particular track would fall right into the strengths of the F1 car. If the race
was say to take place at a much faster track I am guessing the lap times would be closer. The CART car
may even have quicker lap times if they where to race on a big oval like Michigan.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by twohoos
[B]
I think you're confusing who made which points.

 

Different manufacturers in CART and F1 answers that question.

 

Does anyone know the approx. hp ratings of F1 and CART engines?

The F1 engine is a max 3000cc NA V10. HP of course varies, but I think its around 800+bhp@18000rpm.

CART?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DesertRat
[B]Does anyone know the approx. hp ratings of F1 and CART engines?