Reactions to Champ Car/IRL merger
TIM MAYER – IMSA/ALMS
"IMSA and the American Le Mans Series have been monitoring the talks between the owners of the Champ Car World Series and the Indy Racing League very closely. We have enjoyed good relations with both. However, instability in the business of auto racing is bad for everyone concerned. We hope that the events of recent days lead to a more stable situation; one where teams, promoters, sponsors and fans can invest their time and money back into the sport. Ultimately this would be the best resolution for all of us, including the American Le Mans Series.
"For 2008 we have six of our twelve races slated to be shared with the two open wheel racing series, three with CCWS and three with the IRL. We have been asked by many to speculate on how this transition will affect these events, and other aspects of our business, including the four development series that we are proud to sanction. Many details have yet to be worked out, so it is simply too soon to know all of these answers, and we do not think it is productive to speculate. However, we believe that it will affect our participation in the events very little. We have run successful events at many of these venues with and without the open wheel series. We are currently working on the promotion of all twelve of our events, and will continue to do so. We have a growing series with incredible drivers, teams, manufacturers and sponsors, a stable relationship with the event promoters and with the television broadcasters, and we look forward to displaying our great racing, at all of the venues on our schedule.
"Finally, we look forward to working with the combined open wheel series, to continuing to promote the sport of auto racing and to serving our fans."
02/22/08
HONDA'S REACTION
Officials at American Honda and Honda Performance Development are thrilled with the announcement that America's two premier open-wheel racing series have united.
"We are elated that the sanctioning bodies have elected to combine into a single, cohesive and powerful IndyCar Series," said Erik Berkman, president of Honda Performance Development, the wholly-owned motorsports subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "For some time now, Honda has been clearly on record as supporting the concept of a single, unified American open-wheel racing series.
"We welcome the opportunity to provide our Honda Indy V-8 racing engines to all participants in what we believe will instantly be a larger, stronger and even much more competitive field; and we eagerly look forward to what surely will be a very exciting 2008 racing season. Not only is this unification good for all the teams and sanctioning bodies; most importantly, it is great for fans of open-wheel racing, whose loyalties have been divided by two competing racing series."
Beginning with its initial entry into Formula One in 1964, Honda has a long record of involvement in open-wheel racing at the highest levels of the sport. Worldwide, Honda accomplishments have included 72 Formula One Grands Prix victories; four consecutive F-1 Constructors' Championships (1988-91); and eight MotoGP motorcycle road-racing world championships in the last 13 years.
In the U.S., Honda began Championship Auto Racing Team (CART) competition in 1994, winning its first manufacturers' and drivers' championships in 1996. Three more manufacturer titles (in 1998, '99 and 2001), five additional driver crowns (1997-2001) and 65 race victories highlighted Honda's nine seasons in CART.
Honda entered the IRL IndyCar Series in 2003, and again quickly established a winning record against strong competition from other major automotive manufacturers. From 2003-05, Honda teams and drivers scored 28 victories in 49 races, including Indy 500 and IndyCar drivers' and manufacturers' championships in 2004 and '05.
For 2006, Honda became the single engine supplier to the IndyCar Series, and the company continued in that role last year. During the course of the 17-race 2007 IndyCar Season, 36 drivers recorded a total of 166,608 miles with just a single in-race engine failure – a demonstration of outstanding design and build quality rarely seen in a highly stressed racing engine.
02/22/08
WALKER RACING EMBRACES OPEN WHEEL UNIFICATION
Indianapolis, IN – Today finally marks the end to the 12 year battle between the Champ Car World Series and IndyCar Series. The two entities officially split back in 1995, and are finally reuniting. Walker Racing is proud to be a part of the historic unification.
“It’s back to the future," stated Derrick Walker, Walker Racing owner. “It’s been a long road, but it has finally come together. From a fan and sports business point of view, one open wheel racing series in the United States has long been recognized as what fans and sponsors want to have both series together and I’m happy to say that Walker Racing embraces the decision. I also want to give a special thanks to all the past and present CART/Champ Car officials for all their hard work in giving us some great seasons."
A veteran to the sport, Walker has over 40 years of racing experience, and 17 of those years have been as a team owner. Walker Racing opened its doors in Indianapolis in 1992 and has been competing in open wheel racing ever since. The team has run the likes of Willy T. Ribbs, Robby Gordon, Gil de Ferran, Scott Goodyear, Christian Fittipaldi, Darren Manning, Sarah Fisher, Alex Tagliani and Will Power.
This won’t be the first time to the IndyCar Series for the Indianapolis based squad. The team ran Sarah Fisher in 2000 and 2001. Walker Racing made history when Fisher became the first woman in the record books in Indy-style racing when she finished second at Homestead. She also went on to earn two top ten finishes.
The path won’t be easy in the beginning, but Walker Racing is ready for the challenge. “It’s going to be a rough old ride, because we don’t have the familiarity with the Dallaras and it’s a more experienced formula, but the bottom line is that it’s great news to put this thing together," commented Walker.
Walker Racing will hit the pavement March 11-14 in Homestead as they take the Dallara around the 1.5 mile oval and start getting acquainted to a united series.
BOBBY RAHAL
"This is a great day for open-wheel racing and one that I and my Rahal Letterman Racing team have looked forward to for a long time. I applaud all of those that made this possible, but want to especially recognize all of those that made sacrifices and concessions to secure the future of open-wheel racing. I truly believe that this is the first step toward restoring open-wheel racing and the Indianapolis 500 to not only where it once was, but beyond."
EDDIE GOSSAGE – TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Historic News That Ends Split That Began In 1996 Should Provide Boost To Open-Wheel Racing, Bombardier Learjet 550k At TMS
FORT WORTH, Texas: Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage provides reaction to the unification of open-wheel racing in America and what effect it will have on the sport. Texas Motor Speedway plays host each June to the Bombardier Learjet 550k and the event annually attracts a race-day crowd second only to the Indianapolis 500 in the IndyCar Series. This season’s Bombardier Learjet 550k will be held Saturday, June 7 and “America’s Original Nighttime Race" remains one of the preeminent events in the series.
General reaction: “The fans have won and we have to give Tony George and the Indy Racing League credit for making a generous offer to resolve this issue. This is spectacular news, but we all have to be cautious because the act of unifying open-wheel racing in America is not a cure for all that ails the sport. It is a necessary and huge first step, but there is much work to be done."
Promoter perspective: “The most important aspect is that the unification brings the promoters the stability of full fields with a depth of talent. Last season, we had a 19-car field and we have not had more than 22 starters since 2002. I’m hopeful that this will provide us with those large fields in excess of 25 cars that used to be commonplace in open-wheel racing. The combination of the larger fields with the talent depth should ultimately result in even more exciting racing for our fans. Fan interest – both at the track and on television – remains critical to growing the sport from this point on. We’ll continue to do our part to make it flourish."
What Champ Car brings in terms of talent: “The majority of their stars already have come to the IndyCar Series or in the case of Sebastien Bourdais gone to Formula One, but they still have one of the best personalities in the sport in Paul Tracy. There also is a young talent pool led by Bobby Rahal’s son Graham that could benefit from the marketing of the IndyCar Series and help the group emerge as future stars. With the loss of some key IndyCar stars such as Sam Hornish Jr. and Dario Franchitti to NASCAR, this also should immediately help in replenishing the talent pool."
The fans: “To win back its fans, Indy-car racing now has to be humble, stabilize its schedule, solidify its driver lineup and feverishly market its stars. Every decision by everyone in Indy-car racing needs to be made for what is in the best interest of the fans. Today, the unification of the sport best serves the fans."
The future: “I hope everyone involved doesn’t immediately think that the unification on its own will have Indy-car racing challenging NASCAR anytime soon. It will help unify the interest in the sport, but it will take everyone in the series to make sacrifices to grow the sport and take it to another level. Promotion, marketing, public relations, driver accessibility and sponsor activation are just a few of the many aspects that will have to take advantage of this long-awaited opportunity."
ANDRETTI GREEN RACING
Michael Andretti, chairman, Andretti Green Racing:
"This is a huge day for the IndyCar Series and for our sport as a whole, for sure. Over the years, whether I was in the role of driver, team owner or promoter, I have always wanted a unified sport. That has been my only goal throughout this entire process and I applaud everyone who played a role in making this happen. So many people have worked tirelessly, both publicly and behind the scenes, to get this done. Everyone can now focus on taking the IndyCar Series to new heights for the good of our sport and everyone involved in it."
Kim Green, chief executive officer, Andretti Green Racing:
"Obviously I think this is a very important announcement for the overall health of open-wheel racing in America. I'm pleased that so many people were able work out a lot of very complex and difficult details of a deal that ultimately led to a unified series. As a competitor, I know that the teams and drivers who will be joining the IndyCar Series will only make things more competitive. Although we have spent several years apart, the open-wheel racing community is a family and I'm personally thrilled that we will all be competing at the same venues once again."
Kevin Savoree, president and chief operating officer, Andretti Green Racing:
"As a lifelong fan of IndyCar racing, I'm thrilled to hear that there will be one, unified series in this country. The sport is filled with so many exciting drivers, colorful characters, strong, competitive teams and incredible venues that I know everyone is just ready to get at it. Andretti Green Racing certainly is going to be ready for the challenge. We feel privileged to compete in the IndyCar Series and today's announcement only strengthens an already highly-competitive series. This is a day that racing fans have been anticipating for some time and I think it will provide unbelievable entertainment for years to come."
Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Officials Respond
Quote from Kevin Savoree, Managing Director of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
“The unification of the two major sanctioning bodies in open wheel racing is perhaps the single biggest development in the history of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg since we announced the formation of the event in 2004. This historic realignment of open wheel racing brings all of the top drivers and teams to St. Petersburg and will make an event that is already an entertaining and integral part of the region’s sports calendar, even stronger."
Quote from Tim Ramsberger, Vice President and General Manager, Andretti Green Promotions, owners of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
“Over the last three years we have seen racing fans come to St. Petersburg and connect with drivers like Danica Patrick, Dan Wheldon, Helio Castroneves and so many other stars of the IndyCar Series. Now, with the addition of even more drivers and teams to the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, we know this will make a more entertaining weekend for the fans and a stronger event for St. Petersburg. We have been fortunate to not only succeed over the last three years, but have made this a destination event for race fans from across the region and the nation, and this announcement will take that to a whole new level."
ESPN Statement on Today’s Open Wheel Unification Announcement
"This is a good day for fans who have long awaited a unification of the two series and we hope it is the beginning of a bright future for open wheel racing."
John Wildhack, Executive Vice President, ESPN Programming and Acquisitions
Statement from Watkins Glen International President Craig Rust
“Being not only a promoter but a fan of open wheel racing, I am thrilled to see the merger happen as it is very important to the success of open wheel racing to have one unified series. Watkins Glen International is excited to once again host the 4th of July weekend event with our partner Camping World and believe that our open wheel racing history and heritage, makes us a natural fit for the series on this holiday weekend. With a host of activities scheduled including a Friday night block party, fireworks and musical entertainment, along with all the great racing, we hope that all open wheel racing fans will come out to support the unified series on July 4-6, 2008."
Michigan International Speedway
With the announcement Friday that Indy Racing League and Champ Car officials have signed an agreement in principle to unify America’s two open-wheel series for 2008, Michigan International Speedway President Roger Curtis issued this statement:
“It’s fitting that during Michigan International Speedway’s 40th anniversary season the country will finally have one open-wheel series to enjoy. I hope that this new era for open-wheel racing will find a suitable fit among the country’s tracks, both historic and new.
“Though we are focused on our NASCAR events for this season, we are always looking for viable business options for the future at Michigan International Speedway and the state of Michigan. We would certainly talk to any race sanctioning body that is interested in us hosting an event at our speedway if the date and racing series are viable business options for us.
“We are excited about 2008 at Michigan International Speedway and are supportive of a unified open-wheel series. We wish them the best of luck for this and future seasons. I commend the hard work and dedication that it must have taken to put together all the moving parts that make up the agreement in principle. As a race fan and a track promoter, I applaud everyone involved."
Michigan International Speedway has a rich tradition in its 40-year history of hosting some of the most thrilling motorsports events ever attended, many of them open-wheel races. The inaugural event on Oct. 13, 1968, was a 250-mile Indy-car race won by Ronnie Bucknum. It would be his only win.
The speedway hosted open-wheel events, Champ Car events and Indy Racing League-sanctioned events throughout its history through 2007.