Ed Donath Champ Car Rant & Blog

Reader Comments

"Tell me what you think!"

Stop the B.S. Ed. You most certainly DID state that the races were/are fixed when you suggest that "racingtainment" (your way of saying the IRL), like pro wrestling, SHOULD carry a disclaimer. You can say whatever you want to say regarding this, but the fact is that Demond Sanders is right to have called you out on it. And you are NOT a journalist. You only present your opinion. That is all.

Unsigned 

[That is NOT all. I present your un-journalistic opinion, as well.]

Stop pretending to be some kind of journalist.  Making accusations of race-fixing without any proof is shameful and pathetic.  You are better than that, right?  Provide one small shred of evidence next time.  

Demond Sanders
Indianapolis

[Good try.  Here's what I actually wrote in response to a reader who made the race-fixing accusation in his/her question:

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

So if I don't watch how could I possibly know if it's fixed?  If it is rigged or manipulated, as many believe, it should carry a disclaimer.]  

While Lola and Panoz may crank out parts, Reynard sold their rights as well as templates and designs to Derrick Walker.

Mr. Walker, is a longtime player in the IRL, and also the judas that was willing to take FTG's cash and "campaign" Mr. Canada, Paul Tracy, for Edmonton -- to boost that one race -- with nothing else planned for PT.  

It's long been held by viewers of "the sport" that Walker, Coyne, Bachelart, etc. are only "team owners" in the peripheral sort, being more of a rent-a-ride operation, with the cars of that race borrowed/leased/shared/begged/stolen and hastily prepared.

While this speaks volumes to PT's 4th place at Edmonton, it only confirms the absolute turd that is the rest of the IRL field (excepting Justin Wilson, of course, and the required Penske front row) and means THERE IS NO CHANCE that Walker will do a decade of development work on the [now obsolete] Reynard Chassis anytime soon.

Further, the Reynard was not structured to work with the Cosworth used by the DP-01, itself a now 2-year chassis that was only developed by... Newman Haas.

Still there are many racing chassis manufacturers, and any and all can enter into the bidding for a series.  A series isn't made by cars.  It's made my people who want to spend some money (X) to market to people who will give them more money (>X) by watching some number of events (n) where (n*(>X) far exceeds X).

For motorsports marketing to occur one would need:
- sponsors with these products.  These sponsors are now firmly entrenched elsewhere.
- venues for the sponsors to show off these products.  The oval cartel has the ovals.  The NTRC may still be open to make deals.  The street circuits are charred remains of contracts, double-dealing, private deal-making, and backstabbing betrayals of city, county, and state officials' trusts.
- stuff to trot around said venues, such as "Race Cars", and again it is just a matter of paying for said things to get said things
- and finally, drivers to drive said "stuff", and the team owners to manage the "season" of said events

We now have a clear understanding, having watched two distinct camps finance such a project, of its cost.  What we don't have is a clear understanding of what it takes to make it a success.

Ehud

(from Australia)

It was very clear that in 2008 that the gIRL would have its worst season ever. This should have been reason enough (hell, even for us not-billionaire-/millionaire guys) to wait before starting any negotiation about a unified series with the inheritor. Therefore, in a special way one could now interpret KK as being "The Saviour of The EARL"

Why the hell didn't Mr. Kalkoven wait until the end of the 2008 season before throwing it all away? Why are they waiting until 2011 before they "consider" a new car?  Why not use the DP01? 2008 would have been long enough to make modifications and produce new DP01's so in 2009 everyone could use a REAL race car on EVERY track for LESS money.

StarScream

Stuttgart, Germany

[Diese Leute verdienen nicht Ihre Unterstützung.  Hope that babelfish tastes OK, Jorgen.]

Perfect!!!!

Scorpion

Bullhead City, AZ

Good one Ed.... I guess the inevitable waves of HATERISM from the Revisionist Gomers will keep you warm at night!  Cheers Brother...and I'm layin' odds at the local Casino that your predictions are dead on!

RRF

1)Ed, I see that PT working for Tony George is your current regret. Frankly, I would have thought that the well of IndyCar infuriation would have run dry by now and you would have found something worthwhile to focus your attention on. Obviously that is not the case and I guess that the "atta boys" from the ever dwindling numbers at CW has encouraged another self celebrated rant. PT donning the Captain Quebec outfit idea, though, is clever and I hope he does it. Everyone would love it. By the way, I appreciate that you cleaned up your editorial on my last post. You might be bitter, but you seem to be a gentleman.

[Reading my rants must mean that you have "found something worthwhile to focus YOUR attention on".  I envy you. -Ed]

2)Let's be clear, I'm only here because I find your forever distress of mind caused by the horrible failure of Champ Car to continue very amusing. However, being entertained with your amusing rants is worthwhile, but only for a moment. The amusement comes from your exaggerated, hostile reaction to the demise of Champ Car.  You must find a good night's sleep hard to come by.

Sean Patterson

[Sorry I missed your follow-up comment while I was asleep.  This is not a forum, Sean, and I will not post any more of your comments because they have become too thread-like.  If you like, you can send me e-mail or call me out in one of the forums.]

Well said Ed.... Used to be PT's biggest fan and held out high hopes of him landing a drive in ALMS, NasCrap or even CORE truck racing...Anything but the damned T-Girl League of Death run by FTG and his spineless minions.  If there are any folks doubting PT's heart...Count me in...He can take my memories of his brilliant CART/Champ Car career and jam it up his tailpipe if he thinks this longtime fan will follow his career slide into the...Fabulous Flyin' Freakshow...

RRF [edited]

b-b-b-b-bitter!

bob
nz

Thanks for pointing out what you have in this rant. I really like to read things that make you think / go hmm .... exercise your brain.  Keep up the good work.  I will definitely be checking in for all the latest rants.

LisaS
South Florida

It seems to me that you are the one spewing the vile, I suppose you endorse Crapwagon.com what a waste.   Have you even read Trackforum?   We don't make fun of drivers the OWRS or anything else.   Get over it we Unified, the drivers are accepted the fans who want to be there are there.

Nancy, Illinois

[I don't "endorse" anyone, Nancy. -Ed]

Ed, you'll be sitting down to a "burnt karma burger" if such a thing exists. Come on, if you or anyone else believe that TG and KK have bad karma because you and some other rabid Champ Car fans are down in the mouth because they consolidated their business, then let me point out that you have a flawed wisdom of the cosmos. They look to be enjoying themselves, and rightfully so.
 

By the way, I have started reading your rants because I find them amusing.

Sean Patterson

I think that IRL is the best what we can have and what we deserve. The racing is much better than it was before the split, no doubt about that. Today we have some very good starts. Only problem is that NASCAR is bigger and we have less money. But I think these problems are less important if you are a true race fan. IndyCar racing produces real racing not a show like F1 or NASCAR and that's the most important thing.

Anonymous

[I agree.  It is the best what you deserve. - Ed]

Well, Ed, if these Indy-centric bozos are flaming you, let them stew in the putrid juices of their own vile ranting.  They all, and particularly TG and KK, are receiving a burnt karma burger in the restaurant of life in any case, so blow 'em off.  Thanks for keeping the faith.

turbo79, Deer Island, Oregon

Anonymous

Well, I have watched a few races because I'm not one to cut off my nose to spite my face. Regardless of that, I believe its going to turn out well and I had a great time at Indianapolis this past weekend. To see the NHL Teams into it was exciting and those boys will be a "power/force" for many years to come in AOW. The last two years of Champ Car was not anywhere close to what I experienced at IMS and I regret denying myself the Indy experience these past years. Think about it, it will be good for you, too. Really.
 

Sean Patterson  

[Really? -Ed]

Well, if they are in denial, you and your pathetic cohorts...are in need of medication...it's like your girlfriend left you for another guy and you are into your fourth month of egging his house.  Let it go already!  Your stupid series is NEVER coming back and no amount of IRL bashing you do here is ever going to amount to...

Anonymous

[And you're reading my rants because? - Ed]

Hi Ed! I've always loved reading your thoughts, and over the years, I may not have always agreed with you but I've always respected you for sharing them!

I did tune in to watch what was to be our swan song -- and I can state with absolute certainty that this will have been my last race to watch after following our beloved speed sport for over 22 years. I have absolutely no desire whatsoever to follow the farce that is supposed to be this "reunited" series. Consider these hands washed of it all!

Like you, I was simply disgusted by the lopsided TV coverage/commentating. I was truly angry with the "media darling's" injection into what was supposed to be OUR moment...To have to listen to the droning on about not understanding why her 'skills' haven't brought forth better results on the road and street courses. It's not rocket science sweetheart --you don't have them! Turning left is certainly designed for you, it is simple enough. Leave the real racing to those who can turn in both directions! *ARGH* All this while there was racing action, and the final moments of what to me is one of the most beautiful sounds -- that delicious turbo, THAT is what I wanted to watch and listen to -- not her!!!

So the finale left me with a broken heart and feeling 'empty' in my soul. Then the anger kicked in with a sense of "so this is what 20+ years of being a faithful supporter means?". This is what they think of all of my thousands of hours devoted to doing what I could to promote them, not to mention thousands of dollars invested in tickets, merchandise, etc? Been there, done that -- and have a drawer full of T-Shirts to prove it. Not that they'll ever be worn again... This fan has left the building with no plans on returning.

Thanks for the memories Ed...we'll always have Nazareth!!! ;-)
Anita, North of the 49th

[I've always told you and anyone who ever suggested that I was the staunchest Champ car fan that I'm proud to be ranked #2 because you have always been Numéro Un.  That will never change even if you bow out and I continue ranting.  Your Nazareth reference (the single time we watched a race together as spectators in the grandstand) is a case in point for how great Champ Car could have been -- even without the Indy 500 -- had it been properly managed and marketed.  Ironically, veteran Indy 500 winner/ f-inheritor champion Kenny Brack was in the multi-lap dice of his life that afternoon with a very young rookie named Scott Dixon, who hung on for his OW breakthrough victory on the "oval" at Nazareth.  We also got to spend time, that day, with a bunch of other loyal fans, including the late 4Runner.  So right back at you with a big THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!  God Bless You my friend. -Ed]

I agree completely.  Jeff's unquestioned professionalism and unbiased objectivity was the main reason I cancelled my Racer subscription years ago.  I think it was when, in a flair of creativity, he had his graphics guys fill in the seats on an overhead shot at an IRL race.  He may have even got away with, it except for those damned yellow umbrellas that kept repeating in a regular pattern.95500     

BWAHHHHHHH!! [sic] you fanatics are a pathetic bunch.  How many years are you going to keep your little hate site going.  Don't any of you have lives.  It's hard to believe that we are going on two months since your dumb welfare series was absorbed and none of you have moved on.  Are you all deranged?

Anonymous

[Thanks for keeping it clean enough to post this time.  Seems to me that all of the hate is coming from people who, themselves, don't have lives and resent the fact that others are having fun with their lives.  The big coincidence is that all of you guys have the same name -- Anonymous.   "Hi, my name is Larry.  This is my brother Anonymous and my other brother Anonymous."   Are you one of those closet Graham Rahal fans or just generally happy that f-inheritor finally absorbed our worthless series? - Ed]

Ed, I warned you it would rip you apart and your lattest shows it is happening.  Just like the Palastinians blaming the Jews for everything, you seem intent on blaming all around you.  It's like your trying to make this one big conspiricy, it's over dude, join in or give it up.
AG, Arkansas

[Gotta go.  The psycho-cardiac conspiricy dudes are here. -Ed]

I know I'm gonna get killed for my views, but oh well...From the first mention I heard of a split series while watching the opening of the Austrailia broadcast in 94/95(?), I was passionately opposed to the George effort.  I never thought it would ACTUALLY happen....until it actually did.

At that point I was an outspoken, enraged anti-Tony George/IRL militant unhealthily consumed by fury at the fracturing and subsequent destruction of Indy car racing.  I, like many, was born into the Indy car world by my father taking me to the Speedway at 3 years old.  I had a decades-long history of close family relationships to the Speedway before me.  I have a set of Speedway glasses that Tony Hulman sent my grandfather for Christmas in 1967.

As the split continued, I knew CART was a far superior product.  Simply no comparison.  I felt each and every stated objective of the IRL was completely bogus.  I thought the IRL cars were ugly and sounded like NASCAR.  I can't think of a greater insult.

As the years progressed, and CART failed to capitalize on the clearly superior product, I was increasingly disillusioned with the entire category of open-wheel racing.

I enjoyed CART completely embarrasing the IRL at Indy in 2001.  But then all the magic distinguished altogether.  I had no inspiration to follow any of it for the next year or so.

Then something changed for me.  My 2 young children somehow caught a spark from the magic of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  I don't know how it happened, but they wanted in.  By 2006, they were both as in to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indy 500, Indy Cars, and open wheel racing in general as anyone I had ever known.

Then I realized it came about them in the purest form.  It was the sight, sound, smell and feel of an open wheel race car passing by at 200 mph.  It was the nuances of the sounds at the track.  The tires, the wind over the cars, the changes in rpms bouncing off the walls on the other side of the track and echoing back at them down the long rows of grand stands.  It was the subtle smell of the fuel and the slightly burned rubber.  It was the magic of making direct eye contact with the helmet of the driver passing furiously by.

Their passion drew me back in.

I still balk at the stated objectives of the IRL.  For one reason, because from what I can see, the Indy Racing League looks VERY similar in practice to the complaints about 1995 CART.  It is a mix of American and foreign drivers competing on ovals and road courses in a relatively safe machine with the better financed teams earning better results.

I lost the war.  I really did.  But the IRL didn't win.  They just didn't lose.  I'm elated that they reunited.  I realized long ago that the rage in me against the IRL was getting me nothing, just taking years off my life.  I choose to accept Indy Car Racing (not read IRL or CCWS) as it is and as it will hopefully be under on roof.  I still can't really believe the split actually happened.  But that's over now.  Time to move forward and counter, as one, this ridiculous world of NASCAR, on which I nearly choke every time I turn on the TV, go to the store, listen to the radio, pick up a newspaper, or, for God's sake, get my freakin' Nationwide Homeowner's insurance statement in the mail.

It will take years for Indy car racing to be what it was.  If it grows, it will grow in spite of Tony George, not because of him.  It will grow on its potential, not its past.  It will have to resonate among new generations on its own merits, not on George's vision.

I believe it can.  I believe it will.  It will be another 20 years.  But it will.

Jeff, Garner, NC (formerly Evansville, IN)

Dude, what about the fact that by the time the split happened, Dennis Vitolo had already singlehandedly ruined the concept of CART being
anywhere close to "on par" with F1?

Dude, what about the fact that Jacques Villeneuve was just the first in a long line of drivers who weren't viewing CART as a pinnacle, but
merely a stepping stone to F1?

Dude, what about the fact that, back in the mid-90s, a pop-off valve was a really dumb reason to drop out of a race?  (Though I do admit that the newer Cosworths were workhorses, and using better technology through the ECU to control boost was a significant improvement.  I'm in no way anti-turbo, but I'm not necessarily vehemently pro-turbo, either.)

I'm more playing devil's advocate than anything with this response.  I was against the split from the get-go.  That said, I could never
understand why CART, and moreso those who stuck through till CCWS, could be so anti-IRL/ICS.  While causing the split may be the top
cardinal sin of American open wheel racing, ideas from going public to overemphasizing street circuits were equally responsible for the death of the CCWS.

Will(ie) from isitmayyet.com

[Being anti-IRL/ICS is secondary to the fact that ONE person is responsible for the split and that it is his ever-changing "vision" that has ruined our beloved speed sport then, now and for the future.  Why would we embrace this person and his series now? - Ed]

The winner goes the spoils dude.  Spinning history go to the victors dude.  ReCARTards such as yourself will ultimately be laid to rest while the legacy of Indycar moves forward.  CART/CC will be remembered as under the control of buffoons and egomaniacs who thought had the control to tell Tony George to take a flying leap.  Boy-o-boy, multimillions of dollars later were they ever proven to be wrong. Stupid is who stupid does!  Why are you participating in stupidity dude?

Mike Overfield

AG, Arkansas

Ed Donath, long time CCWS Blogger, has given his viewpoint. His thoughts are well laid, and his assessment of GF, KK, and PG is logical. It seems as if he’s lost hope of CCWS’s survival, which, to me, is rather amusing as I’ve nearly lost all hope of any unification. If you can get past the terrible page design, which was a challenge for me, it’s a good read. If you cannot get past the page design, you can at least enjoy his fine mustache.

Will McCarty (posted here)

[You may enjoy my fine 'stash but you'll definitely be bummed out by the f-inheritor logo on Willie's well-designed blog page. - Ed]

"I've been reading your pieces on Deep Throttle for years.  Now that I know you are not of Greek or Egyptian origin, I'd really want to know whether you have Hungarian predecessors as there is a similar surname here in Hungary (Donáth).  Best wishes,

Zoltán Laky, Vác, Hungary

[Zoltán - You'll be happy to know that there is Hungarian blood on the Donáth side of my family.  My late father, who spoke fluent Hungarian, was born in Austria-Hungary, which later became Czechoslovakia.  Keep an eye on my wine blog...perhaps I'll do a rant about one of my faves, Egiri Bikaver -- a/k/a Hungarian "Bull's Blood". - Ed]