UPDATE #2 Another writes, Dear Autoracing1.com, With all due respect to Mr. Huffman’s take on John Oreovicz’s article, I think Mr. Huffman’s response is a great example of how some of us Champ Car fans will simply not open our eyes and see that our beloved ship (Champ Car) is clearly taking on water. Do we (Champ Car fans) really think that Kirby, Oreovicz and Phillips (all longtime supporters and defenders of CART/Champ Car) would compromise their journalistic integrity just to help out their buddy Robin Miller just because he lost a Champ Car hard card? Did they jump to Miller’s defense (and compromise their journalistic integrity) when he was fired from the Indy Star or one of the many other jobs Miller lost for speaking his mind? The answer is no. So why would they do it now? Are they on Tony George’s secret payroll and part of some grand scheme to put Champ Car out of business? Again, the answer is no. In fact, we should be looking at Champ Car’s ownership and management team and see if they are the ones on Tony’s secret payroll as they seem to be doing a mighty fine job of killing a once great open wheel series. Fans such as Mr. Huffman should not kill the messengers (i.e., Miller, Kirby, Phillips and Oreovicz) as all these messengers are simply reporting is the harsh reality of Champ Car in 2007. Actually, these four guys are one of the very few journalists in the United States (with the exception of autoracing1.com of course) who even “bother" to mention Champ Car in their articles. Without them…..no one would “bother".
Peter M. Romero, Esq.
Another writes, This guy hasn't the first clue about what RM, DP and JO are all about. These guys are the staunchest supporters Champ Car has ever had. I think the fact that they are about the only guys left that cover the series week-to-week should tell you something about their loyalties. They aren't doing it because it's fun, they aren't doing it because the pay is great, they are doing it because they love the sport and the series. NOW, they have all taken their turns kicking the dead dog that was Champ Car, but only because these guys have given their heart and soul to it, been promised more things than they can count, and seen it all go to Hell in a Handbasket….They aren't trying to influence anything (except RM influencing who gets hired and pouting when it doesn't happen), and they are still deserving of respect. –
Ty Webb, Bushwood, Nebraska
10/24/07 A reader writes, Both Robin Miller and David Phillips are overdue for their latest open wheel commentary on SPEEDTV.com. I suppose they'll next be tag-teaming Oreo and piling on some more. They're like a little high school click, overreacting after one of them was sent to the principal's office for calling the teacher a prick to his face, and in front of the rest of the class. These guys, Kirby, Oreo, Miller and Phillips are supposed to be reporters and professionals. Instead, they're acting like spoiled brats. Or worse, sharks that smell blood in the water and now they think that as reporters, they can influence and expedite the collapse of a racing series, and finally see their long-sought open-wheel unification at any cost. I hope the bed that awaits them is warm and snuggly with Tony George. Personally, these guys whom I once held in high regard, have lost all my respect, as their motives are so transparent. Rich Huffman, Missoula, Montana
10/24/07 In his latest National Speed Sport News article, longtime Champ Car columnist John Oreovicz joins Robin Miller, Gordon Kirby and David Phillips in hammering Champ Car. After a discussion on the ridiculous amount of driver turnover due to non-payment by ride buyers, he closes by saying, Forsythe and PKV (co-owned by series co-principal Kevin Kalkhoven) are supposed to be Champ Car’s marquee teams. Neither owner is lacking for cash, yet both Kalkhoven and Forsythe appear to be penny-pinching at a time when their teams (not to mention their series) are in dire need of investment.
What would it have cost them to just field additional cars for the last two races of the season? A couple hundred grand, or pocket change to men of their ilk. Now, with the news that RuSPORT Racing is set to shut down on Nov. 15, Champ Car is facing its annual car count crisis earlier than ever before. Not to mention the fallout from ‘the prototypical Champ Car team of the 21st Century’ closing its doors after less than five years in business.
The continuing saga of massive turnover of drivers, teams and races and the lack of significant sponsorship has some observers wondering whether Champ Car is going to answer the bell for the 2008 season.
And even worse, the series staunchest supporters are starting to wonder: Why bother?