Ahh the problems of working a regular gig. No time to write about my favorite sport, champ car. But, I am sneaking in work-time to write this. Its just too much of a good silly season to not be a part of.

First off, don’t look for champ car to be on TSN in Canada next year. I don’t know at this point where the races will be broadcast in Canada, but don’t look for it on the Sports Network. I don’t think we’d have been all that well received on that network anyway. TSN takes everything it can get its hands on, and then worries about the schedule later. Its one way of becoming the biggest sports network in a country. The problem is that there are just not that many outlets in Canada to broadcast the race. I mean, it’s a small country with only 3 sports networks and two of them are booked. Sportsnet has Blue Jays baseball and they are not giving that up. The Jays provide them with big numbers. What I suspect will happen is be some sort of On-Demand thing with your cable or satellite provider. Either way, this could be good or bad. If you got a race On-Demand you could watch it at your leisure. But I think you’d have to pay for it. But if it’s only a couple of bucks to watch a race at your convenience, then why the heck not?

Robin’s new article on the TV deal appears somewhat discomforting, but if you break it down, it’s not as bad as he makes it appear. Production costs are production costs, whether they are paid millions in Advertising or not. Motor sports is an expensive sport to produce, always has, always will be. But to think that Champ Car is indirectly paying for the IRL is a crock. But I know what he means; it’s just a wrong observation. Using the same logic, you can say that when we’re on NBC, we are helping pay for My Name is Earl. What I did like to read was one poster somewhere saying something to the effect that if we get the same ratings then the IRL on ESPN and yet we pay them to be on their network as opposed to them paying the IRL, what is the incentive to keep the I? But that’s all for not anyway, since ESPN is intent on becoming an umbrella for motorsports fan across America.

Are we closer to a merger as a result of this deal? No, not a chance. This doesn’t make the situation better or worse. It’s exactly where it was before the deal was announced.

Oreovicz was on the Fan 590 here on the Bob McCowan radio show not too long ago and when he was talking about AJ leaving, the other host pointed out that John seemed actually upset about it and to take it personally and John, to my surprise (or maybe not) said he did take it personally, cause he’s tired of guys saying one thing and turning around and doing something else. Doing a complete about-face without hesitation He then brought up Andretti as the ultimate example, to which he is absolutely correct. Wouldn’t it be nice if athletes meant what they say to the press and the fans, instead of just looking out for their best interest? I bring this up because recently on the forums some people made comments on how it was nice to hear Bruno and Oriol show their loyalty to the series. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am certain they are loyal and love Champ Car. But if Chip Ganassi (I say him cause he’s notorious for poaching Champ Car drivers) offers Oriol a big salary to run in the IRL, do you think he would take it or not? It’s a business and they need to be looking out for number one.