Randy Bernard addresses several IndyCar questions
Randy Bernard |
On the latest IndyCar Weekly radio Podcast series CEO Randy Bernard had this to say:
Why companies should pick IndyCar over NASCAR/F1 he stated that IndyCar has a great mix that no other series has. The oval events have a mid-America feel vs. road/street courses with international flavor and have different demographics for advertisers. He reiterated the fact that IndyCar has the fastest, most versatile cars & drivers in the world.
As for a much needed Video game they are pursuing several opportunities and hope to get one out in a year or two, but he forgets that iRacing already is there for fans.
They're going to try and fix the blocking rule that was a big controversy in Edmonton.
The return of the Triple Crown of 500 mile races might happen in the future, but not 2011 for certain.
No chance of Phoenix coming back. He states, and rightly so, that the series needs to go where they're wanted, at places who are committed to making IndyCar grow. It's no secret that the France family run ISC, which owns Phoenix, would just as well see IndyCar disappear. Every Champ Car and IndyCar race at an ISC track have failed. Do you see the pattern yet?
A return of the Cleveland Grand Prix remains a distant possibility. He said it takes a huge financial commitment to put on big events and the attendance in Cleveland is pitiful. Why? Because they always held the race when it is hot and humid and fans had enough and did not return. In addition, while Cleveland makes a great TV event, sitting in the flat high school bleacher seats Cleveland used made the viewing angles horrible.
Bernard feels fans will like how the 2011 schedule is coming together.
He will do anything he can to try to have an event in the New York City area in the next few years, but if F1 and NASCAR cannot make it happen, what are IndyCar's chances?