NO REUNIFICATION?? George: “…It’s Not Going to Happen Anytime Soon.”
Quote selected text Published June 27th, 2006 in MainOpen-wheel racing may not be as close to unifying as some are reporting. 24-Hour News 8 talked with Speedway President Tony George in an exclusive interview.
The Indy Star created buzz with a Sunday front page article about Champ Car and the IRL getting back together after a 10-year split. George told us the deal is not nearly as close as it sounds.
“We’ve talked conceptually about how things might be structured, but it’s so far from being close to being done, it’s not even worth talking about, so where they came up with not only the headlines, but the story is a bit beyond me,” said George.
The story went on to say IRL President Brian Barnhart talked about his league and Champ Car possibly being at the same event on some race weekends, including two in April.
“That is a story entirely fabricated by the people who wrote the story,” George told us.
He did go on to say he’s hoping things work out. It’s been a very slow process because there are so many details involved, and both have been so busy recently, they haven’t had a chance to continue discussions. But that will change.
“We’re gonna get back together here in a few weeks, but certainly, nothing is imminent, and we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us,” said George. “We’re still getting to know one another, still trying to understand one another. My sense is its going to take a long time. I enjoy his company and getting to know him, but its just one of those things. It’s not gonna happen anytime soon.”
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- Penske not Optimistic About Current Reunification Plan
It’s nice to know Tony enjoys Popeye’s company. They can continue to holiday together as whatever’s left of open wheel racing dissolves around them. And they ARE busy. I mean, Gene Simmons can’t do it all, can he? I AM INDY!
I think there’s a lot of reason to shoo the press away on this, so hopefully that’s part of what’s being said. But, we’ve all learned to trust this group of rich boys about as much as an Al Qaida with a hood on…
I thought the weekend sharing idea showed some original thinking, but from a practical perspective, if you’re all going to show up at these races and make the resulting schedule changes, etc. JUST HAVE ONE RACE!! I said it several months ago and even Steve Horne echoed the sentiment: an equivalency formula for one year pitting the Indycars versus the Champ Cars is still far better than being two series. If these guys still don’t see that, they’re fools and so are we in believing in them.
With all the hopes of a unified series on hold again, Open Wheel Racing now faces it’s biggest challenge since Tony George decided to split the sport in half over ten years ago. The continued delay in righting this wrong has taken way to long. In fact based on recent events, I’m sad to say that it may even be too late.
Youtube.com has some nice videos, including the IRL announcement in 1994. I suggest everyone give it a look, including Mr. George.
You will find that NONE of the objectives in creating a new series have been met. You will also find, by a quick review, that CART (while there may have been issues that needed attention) was #1 in the US for attendance and viewership. So strong was the series, that even Bernie was nervous about CART’s expansion into other non-US markets. Maybe Mr. George can consider the bargaining chip he would have had with Bernie if OW racing was strong, or even stronger than CART/I500 was back in 1995…
And Mr. George, with all due respect, I have to disagree with your sentiment that without control, you have to be careful or you�ll get what happened with the USGP last year. There were no outside forces that created this great divide. One look in the mirror and a review of your statements in the past will show that you were completely in control of the situation, for better or worse. The current US OW situation rests at your feet, and will remain your legacy.
No fewer than three past OW owners indicated to me that they would put their own money into starting teams for a unified series, when the discussions of a merger were acknowledged back in April. Since then, all but one has abandoned the idea. The lone owner is still working on a team is now looking at NASCAR Cup, Busch, Truck or Grand Am!
Mr. George, please, by the grace of God, listen to Mr. Clark and those who continue to work towards unification…now. Can’t work out the details? Then get Brian, HPD, Ford, Elkins, Cottman, ABC/ESPN and others in a room to draft up what can be done to the new Champcar, the existing IRL Dallara’s, and the Ford and Honda motors that will make them close in racing on ovals and road courses next year. Run every event in each series if you have to, but for the love of the sport, please do something.
Mr. George, you wanted control, and you’ve had control since the beginning. Now you have a chance to make a positive mark in OW racing. I can only pray with others that there is still time to save it.