But why can't they announce the no brainers like Homestead?
So people can makes plans, get hotel rooms, etc.
It's just plain typical IRL piss poor marketing.
Gene Simmons indeed!

DaFlaBear wrote:
out for the best interest of the stockholders of ISC. That might mean
NO race there at all.

Everyone sing together now. I am Indy.

Now just the Indy Star. I am Indy.

Now Gene I am Indy

Now Robin Miller. Suddenly the power goes off.

Could it be that maybe there isn't really a 2007 season for the IRL?
Maybe its actually over and they're not telling anybody?

Merrill P. L. Worthington wrote:
If a DP01 starts doing tests at IMS, maybe I'll start to believe that...

--
Forty

“There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and
mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.” - Ernest Hemingway

Merrill P. L. Worthington wrote:
schedule isn't complete yet, the IRL has announced at least part of
their schedule for next year. Second they have already demonstrated a
willingness to spend what ever it takes to get a field. Just look at
last years 500 and how many teams might have had funding from the
speedway. Third money isn't really an issued if they want to spend it.
The speedway through other business interests has deep enough pockets
to fund this as long as they want to without worrying about it to any
great extent.

What will decide who if anyone eventually wins is the financial status
of the individual teams. The teams don't have deep pockets. Sponsors
are getting tough to find though it can be done. Unless the series is
willing to pony up for cars, the teams are on their own. So far the IRL
has shown an occasional willingness to pony up for the occasional car
to get to 18 or 19, but rarely outside of Indy. Time will tell how it
works out but a generation is going to be needed to rebuild the damage
this power play created.

Mark B wrote:
Kinda late isn't it? Don't make excuses. Its late. Period.



Second they have already demonstrated a
True that. They'll spend as much as it takes regardless of how much
they make. Or not make.



Third money isn't really an issued if they want to spend it.
Yep. But someday they'll just pull away from a long-term loser.


I think the sponsor fall-out has already begun.

Merrill P. L. Worthington wrote:
Well it seems to be a more and more common trend in motorsports. The
schedules seem to be getting announced later and later. Its not just
the IRL. Champ Cars is more or less together, but to my knowledge is
due to be officially announced this week or next. F1 has had theirs get
later and later as well. The only one that really isn't is Nascar and
they own most of the tracks they race on so getting a deal with the
track owner is a piece of cake. The ones they don't own I suspect there
isn't much in the way of talking that gets done. Probably more of a
here's the deal and sign it now. Is it late? Yes you are 100% correct
it is and no excuses, but it's not the only one either.
Maybe and maybe not. From a strictly business standpoint it made no
business sense to mess with the golden goose. If you were going to do
it, you do so in such a way that you don't tick off over half the fan
base to regain control. Ego is a very powerful thing and it is in no
short supply in the IRL management. They can afford it. Ego might keep
it going a very long time.

A business founder likely wouldn't do this, but this is a family
business with its third generation of management. Studies have show
thats when problems historically arise. Making matters worse is the
lack of skill in front of a tv camera. There is a reason Tony George
does very few interviews. Kevin K on the other hand comes across quite
well on camera whether you like or don't like what he has to say.
I've followed this one for some time with great interest. It seems to
run a bit in cycles depending on which series is on the up tick at any
given time. Right now its Champ Car with all the good news. Earlier it
was the IRL but there is a difference and its a big one. When the IRL
was the series with the momentum, it was because it was taking the top
teams from Champ Car. Champ car on the other hand made its own good
news and took it back. Its developing its own new teams, its own new
talent and its own place in the racing world without worrying about how
the IRL does or doesn't do business. To me that puts them in a far
better position. They are growing their business and thats what badly
needed now.