Q. Many years of race-fixing (and championship-fixing) in Formula One and NA$CAR has led to dwindling interest including decreased ticket sales and teevee audiences, [so] why is it that Tony George believes that (1) we won't notice his races are fixed and (2) we'll watch them anyway?
 
Just how stupid does he think we are?
 
Perplexed [AtlanticsRock]
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

A. Most of us have never watched his series or supported him in any way.  "Racingtainment", like pro wrestling, should require a disclaimer.

After 13 years of ranting against the splitter and refusing to fall for any of his self-aggrandizing bullpuckey, the larger question is: How stupid do we think he is?

Q. It's been a nearly hopeless and worthless 2008, worse than anyone thought at Sebring (probably also at IndyCar headquarters). [In] your long experience with open wheel series management (from decent to mediocre to inept) can you comment on what you think is the best case for American Open Wheel?

J. Ian Irby, Atlanta, GA

A. The best-case scenario is that there could actually be a way to resurrect AOWR.  Short of the Speedway inheritor's immediate exit from the scene followed by an instant change of ownership to one that is truly interested in the creation of a unified series, it is already too late for our beloved speed sport.

As bad as it may sound, if Bernie the Boss made Champ Car racing an international ForMoola One support series it would insure the continuation of the global following that the CCWS has long enjoyed....plus it would eliminate the Indy-centrism to which those mediocre and inept managers have always bowed down.

Open-wheel oval racing is very near death but in a global environment an occasional off-season exhibition race would be interesting and profitable...something like a Hawaiian SuperPrix with a larger-than-Indy Indy purse and a winner-takes-all format.

Q. Why are KK and GF if any other (not sure) holding onto the Atlantics series? Is it possible that this may be their exit strategy provided the IRL [crashes and burns, that] they may have something else to cling to? Is the only way out of this mess of American open wheel is to let go of Champcar and the IRL collectively while they suck the Honda yen to re-surge in some form of new sharper image?
 
I'm very pro Champcar.  I cannot stand or begin to understand the IRL. I guess it sounds like wishful thinking and I agree, but is there a reason why KK et al are holding onto a fantastic support series (that has nothing to support).
 
Paul Jelowyi
Geelong, Victoria, Australia

A. With a track record of careless management, disinterest, insignificant marketing and the innuendo of in-fighting, double-dealing and general treachery, only two assumptions can be made about the OWRS partners:  1) It is likely that they have absolutely no strategy and will not develop one until someone offers to buy them out.  2) If you follow the flow of cash in and out of their holdings you will be able to come up with a far better strategy than they ever will.

Q. What do you think about Atlantics running under IMSA sanctioning and eventually growing up to become the North American Open Wheel road racing series that so many of us crave?
 
TimHub
Turlock, CA

A. With the demise of the CCWS, Atlantics is already North America's premier open-wheel road racing series.  Furthermore, it has been "grown up" for many years and the list of its participants and legendary champions is familiar to most knowledgeable motorsports fans.  Nonetheless, if incorporated into IMSA or any other sanctioning body it will remain a niche within a niche.  Enjoy it for what it is, Tim.

Q. Regarding the DP01. Who owns the rights to the design of this beautiful car? I doubt it would ever happen, but would it be
possible for someone looking to start a real series to call Panoz and
order up a race track full of them? Love your Rants, hate the EARL!
 
Jonathan Kurbis
Hanna, Alberta, Canada

A. Unless there is some end-dated non-compete clause in Panoz' supply contract with OWRS or any of its erstwhile principals (not to be confused with the principles) Panoz is free to crank out as many DP01's as they can afford to; free to start-up or back any series that might want to use them.  For that matter, Reynard or Lola could do the same with their Champ Car chassis.

The fact that a mixed bag of used CCWS chassis were recently purchased at auction [link to story] leads me to believe that your scenario is viable.  However, when a manufacturer sells its products it is likely to realize a profit.  When it uses its products for its own purposes it is just as likely to be a loser.

If I owned a racing team I'd be reluctant to participate in a series that was owned by the chassis manufacturer for fear that the owner might play favorites.  Was it a coincidence, Jonathan, that the CCWS chassis parts supplier's team won the last four championships and was wildly successful for years prior to the French Horn's arrival?