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Debate/Discussion: Ban/End IndyCar Racing on the High Banked D-Shaped 1-½ Mile Ovals?

At the defunct IndyCar Nation Talkback forum I created a discussion/topic re the utterly foolish/unreasonable high risk/danger of Indy/open-wheel cars racing on the high banked D-shaped mile and a half cookie cutter ovals. My opinion at that time was and remains is that Indy/open-wheel cars should not be racing on said ovals, as said ovals were designed specifically for stock car racing and IMO are unsuitable for the current Indy/open-wheel cars. [1]

In the topic I labeled the flat-out running in a pack style of IndyCar racing produced on the high banked D-shaped mile and a half cookie cutter ovals as Russian Roulette Racing. Each and every lap every driver must spin the cylinder of a revolver containing one round…after doing so each driver is compelled/required to place the revolver up against their helmet and pull the trigger. My opinion was as long as this style of IndyCar racing continued on said ovals, it was inevitable that it would be just a matter of time until the round in the cylinder would line up with the hammer and the barrel for one or more of the drivers…

On 10-16-2011 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway the round in the cylinder lined up with the hammer and the barrel, and the flat-out running in a pack style of IndyCar racing I label as Russian Roulette Racing claimed/took the life of Mr. Wheldon.

Condolences to the Wheldon Family and to his extended IndyCar family.

Until something is done to keep the Indy/open-wheel cars from running flat-out in a pack on said ovals, at any/all future races on said ovals every driver will still be compelled/required to keep on spinning the cylinder of the revolver each and every lap and place the revolver up against their helmet and pull the trigger. If the style of racing described herein on said ovals continues I believe it is again just a matter of time until the round in the cylinder will line up with the hammer and the barrel once again for one or more of the drivers…

Hearsay/rumor/gossip/talk has already begun that it is highly likely/probable that the 2012 IndyCar season finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be cancelled/removed from the 2012 IndyCar Series schedule. Moreover that the 2012 IndyCar Series date at Texas Motor Speedway may also be on the chopping block.

Suitable Indy/open-wheel oval tracks other than the high banked D-shaped mile and a half cookie cutters exist, and I have designed many new and highly challenging/novel/unique ovals specifically for modern era Indy/open-wheel cars.

[1] Four time IndyCar Series Champion Mr. Dario Franchitti stated yesterday (10-16-2011) during a televised interview that the Las Vegas Motor Speedway D-shaped mile and a half oval is not a suitable track for IndyCars.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCHVItEY-yA

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Permalink Reply by Daddy of Equalizer on December 17, 2011 at 7:46pm

@PJ -I mostly agree. If this series does blow away like a fart in the wind, I believe there are enough interested people with money to start something new, IF they want to pursue it, which is a big IF, given the economy. If the festering, demagoging jack-a-nape is re-elected as messiah president, the economy will take a long time to turn around, if ever. That doesn't bode well for any form of auto racing.

Another form of racing suffering from a split is sports car racing. ALMS and the Rolex series are both having a hard time, although Rolex is being propped up somewhat with NASCAR $$$. Pretty decent racing there, but the so-called prototypes are nothing compared to the ones run in ALMS. ALMS is the direct descendent of IMSA which was big in the late 70's up to the early 90's. Now.....the sanctioning bodies can't come close to agreeing on a mutual formula and have no basis of cooperation. No big "us vs. them" drama like open wheel, but the fan base has dwindled and even the crowds from both series don't equal what IMSA did in its hayday.

The pathway to connecting with the fans is based on using a known and proven philosophy. The powers that be have to be willing to walk that path. If not, then they can go down with the ship.

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Permalink Reply by V. Kurt Bellman on December 19, 2011 at 3:38pm

Paul says, "Well, it has already been well established that I am the "village idiot" on this site."

Kurt says, "Well, self-awareness is the beginning of the path to wisdom. Good start. Go with that. Seriously though, Paul, it's not you that's the problem, just what you believe. I'm sure you're personally a peach of a guy. Most upper midewesterners I've met are."

Paul says, "Also I have stated several times that this series needs to move forward and to expand fan base and ratings, AKA stay alive."

Kurt says, "Agreed, but it depends on your definition of 'move forward'. I suspect the key problem is that what you think is forward, I believe is backward, and vice versa. My target audience, as 'Wrench and DoE would also target, is disaffected 'Cartistas'. I believe we are the massively loyal audience in waiting."

Paul says, "Racing is an entertainment business."

Kurt says, "THAT, RIGHT THERE, is the core problem. It should NOT be. It should be an ENTERTAINING SPORT, not an ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS. See the difference? The entertainment is the goal, NOT the raison d'etre."

Paul says, "Racing action, passing, excitement, drama, close finishes, pesonalities, rivalries, etc."

Kurt says, in order, "True, bullcrap, depends on definition, bullcrap, EXTREME bullcrap, true, etc."

Paul says, "They want to be entertained, that is the landscape, that is the modern reality."

Kurt says, "I .... DON'T .... CARE! The sport must be a legit sport or it's not worth watching. Modern reality can go fornicate itself."

Paul says, "Did I just describes IICS? Doubtful."

Kurt says, "You desribed the wrong path IICS has already gone too far down."

Paul says, "Living in the past is not an option."

Kurt says, "Living in the past is the only viable option left."

I could go on ad nauseum, but you get the idea.

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Permalink Reply by Paul on December 19, 2011 at 3:42pm

In this whole beautiful rant, the only thing you got right was "ad nauseum". That describes the Indy series.

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Permalink Reply by Daddy of Equalizer on December 19, 2011 at 5:32pm

So tell us precisely where Kurt is wrong.

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Permalink Reply by V. Kurt Bellman on December 19, 2011 at 9:42pm

In my opinion, Audi should not merely be permitted to bring a TDi to Indy Cars, not merely INVITED, not merely recruited, but outright BEGGED to bring a TDi to Indy.

Ditto Mazda and a Wankel.

Ditto Mercedes and a 500i pushrod.

Ditto Peugeot, ditto Maserati to bring a new engine by 2014 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the 1939 car.

Get every technological quirk back out there at the speedway as if the survival of the sport depends on that business model.

Why?

Because it does, literally.

We've run our sport into the ground by appealing to the "don't let anybody dominate anybody" idiot crowd.