Fan Forum, part 3 and Cleveland Saturday

Well, the highly anticipated Cleveland Fan Forum has come and gone and well...no fireworks. Everybody behaved themselves and the highlight was the guy with the t-shirt that read "Tony George is an a**-hole" which was acknowledged by everyone on the panel, all had a laugh, as did the crowd, which then burst out in cheers. I will hand it to Bobby, he appeared prepared to face tough question and appears to have a sense of humor about the whole thing. Eric Mauk, who was hosting, did a good job of keeping the crowd in check, as we all expected them too. I brought out my camera to capture some of the potential melee, but none happened. Danny Sullivan is the man though, no question about it. He's just so cool, calm and funny. At one point he wouldn't stop asking PT about the track, to the point where I was looking at Mauk telling him to get the mic away from Danny! Danny would make a good talk show host, that's for sure. The rest of was very interesting. My favorite part about these types of things is the natural banter between drivers. these are all hall of fame quality drivers reminiscing about the good old days. it was fun and the crowd loved it!
AJ is on the pole. How do you top a win for your new boss? how about a pole position! This is what I said over the PA on Friday and I will tell you this now: the next three tracks are AJ's. If you consider what he did last year in Cleveland, then in Toronto was on his way to a podium and, well we all know what happened in Edmonton. That ain't going to happen again this year. The pressure is off. he's got the win. He's third in points, far back. He's driving with a renewed passion and confidence and considering how good he was last year on the next three champcar tracks, I really believe these next races are his. We shall see though, long races and so many things could happen. Sebastian Bourdais just continues to impress. he is so doggang quick, no matter what car you give him, it seems. Its a shame for Paul Tracy (he crashed in the 15 minute practise session and the spun all around the track during qualifying in his backup). he's still starting 5th and I expect him to make a move at the start. I fully expect something bad to happen on the opening green, simply because it always does. I hope not. But it seems to inevitably do. For about the last 25 years, that is.

Spoiler Alert:
The Atlantics held their first race with a standing start since 1998 and, well everything turned out okay. I know a lot of the drivers were very nervous prior to the race because of the standing starts. The European drivers are more used to them, not so the North American. Graham Rahal had the best car of the group and won the race in style, passing Pagenaud in a classic move. Unfortunately the race ended under yellow, but that's racing and it wouldn't have mattered, cause that car was the best!
question before I sign off: now that Graham Rahal has made it clear he will turn down the 2 million dollars, should he win the championship, unless the series merge and head off to Europe instead, do you still cheer for him as much? think about it for a second.

Fan Forum, part 2

Okay, i am NOT hosting the Fan forum. In fact, this will be a different forum than the others, because with Mr. Rahal, Al Unser Jr, Danny Sullivan, Paul Tracy and hopefully Bourdais will all be there. Its less of a fan forum and more of a reflection on Cleveland and a celebration on 25 years there. Erik Mauk requested to host it a while back and I don't blame him at all. I WILL be there, but as a fan more than anything.
Like I said, I don't expect the mood to be quite as hostile since all the past winners who are the area will be there and not just Bobby and some other current ChampCar employees. I don't expect fireworks to break out, but hey, you never know...

bobby Rahal at the fan forum??

I just read this on champcarfanatics and I must say...wow. Bobby Rahal will be fielding questions from champcar fans for 45 minutes?? For the first time since he left the series at the 11th hour in 2003, Bobby will be talking to someone other than the media with regards to ChampCar. this event is now worth the price of admission alone! and I get to host this thing?? Heck, i'd pay just to see it.

Bobby addressed the media today at the Press conference. It was the first time I ever heard him talk positively about ChampCar. Basically he said that the future of open-wheel racing is very bright (talking about the Atlantics driver) with regards to the quality of drivers in the Atlantics. It was the first time I heard Bobby use the term ChampCar in a positive light. it was almost weird to me. You see, Bobby has been to just about every race this year. Or, I should say, every Atlantic race. He is his son's number one supporter. He works with his son all weekend. He spreads the good word on the Atlantics, but has been mum about ChampCar. now he'll have no choice.

I don't know how to react to this and I am just looking forward to the event (11:45am Saturday). This thing should be televised! They should get Micheal Buffer to announce it!
Now, on champcarfanatics, the mood is obviously angry with some posters suggesting we be polite with Mr. Rahal and others are suggesting we either boycott or bring fruit to throw at him. last year, the Fan Forum in Cleveland drew over 400 people. The place was packed and its going to be packed again. I don't suggest boycotting because people are going to be there anyway. One thing I do know, this is going to be fun...

http://www.speedtv.com/commentary/27120/

because I hold Mr. Philips with the highest regard, I thought I would post a link to his latest article. yes it deals with the merger, but it presents an interesting angle. its a good read.

my thoughts on it? I have almost given up thinking about a merger. I continue to be fascinated by the whole process and all the rumors that continue to e-merge on the surface, but frankly I, like everybody else not directly involve, have no idea what is going on anymore. While I still think one series is best, if neither parties are willing to bend, then ultimately its not going to happen. What David's article above points out is the reality that not everybody will be 100 percent happy and there will be many kinks to fix, even after the merge is complete. But better to get it done and then work out the details down the road. If, after the first race of the season there are things to work out (which there will be, of course), work them out. the bottom line is that the BIG picture and the future is bright with one series. Short term pain for long term gain. Of course, if all their big teams decide to leave the series, as has been rumored, then we can put that series to rest. It may be the only way to achieve one series.

did I tell you I spent a night in a Minneapolis hotel room with Nelson Philippe, the Face of Champcar and some intern at tech? our flight from Portland was delayed several hours, so all our flights to our final destination were postponned until the next day. With 50 or so people yelling and panicking in Minneapolis (we were promised free hotel rooms, naturally NW didn't have any), I got my cellphone out, called a hotel and the four of us were on are way. It was certainly an interesting bunch. I'll try to get some photos from Nelson, he was taking a bunch. Got to know Nelson on a more intimate level and the kid has got his head on straight. considering his background with all that money, he's very level-headed and grounded. I didn't realize that he was in line for that Forsythe seat at the beginning of the year either.
Also got to know the Face. And if you read this, you know I am critical of the pageant and, thefore by default, of its contestants. Brandi also appears to have her head on straight and as far as I can tell, isn't a racerchaser like 95% of the pageant entries. I think i'll get an interview with her some time and get to know her more. she's definitely a good representative. If ChampCar insists on having a "face of champcar" rep, then i'm glad its her.

thanks to Tom Anderson for this! I couldn't have said it better myself!

Eric.

SWINTAL PRINT CELEBRATES 25th CLEVELAND GP

As a follow up to his successful print for the same venue in 2004, motorsports artist and Champ Car Clerk of the Course Jim Swintal has created an 18x24 print entitled "25 Years of the Grand Prix of Cleveland." The print features memorable moments and accomplishments from the event, and includes images of legendaries Rahal, Unser and Sullivan all the way up to modern day favorites such as Moreno, Gidley and Bourdais. The central image of the print is a stunning aerial/plan view of all 24 winning cars streaming through Cleveland's infamous Turn One.

The print retails for $20.00, and can be purchased exclusively this weekend from the Champ Car World Series merchandise trailer at the Grand Prix of Cleveland. Those not attending the event interested in a copy can contact Jim directly at jswintal@yahoo.com

Sunday

What a day! It was without a doubt one of the best days at the track in a long time. I don’t think I need to tell you that A.J won and that Jimmy Hinch won the Atlantic race. This is a statement that Forsythe desperately needed to make, not just to the other teams but to themselves. Their confidence is back to where it belongs as a team and as a unit. Of course, it was great to see AJ on the podium. It was great to see the tears in his eyes when he stepped out of the car and it was great to see Carl Russo being the first person to congratulating him. You know, it must have broken Carl’s heart that he couldn’t really celebrate A.J.’s first win with him. You could tell in his eyes. Carl is a BRILLIANT man and I really feel that him letting AJ go, was as much for AJ’s sake as it was for RuSport. Kind of like a parent letting go of their child at the adult age, or a father giving away his daughter to another man at her wedding. Russo is proud of AJ and knew that he might succeed better elsewhere. Today, he definitely did.

I have to say from what I have read on the Forums and from what Bourdais said during MY podium celebration, I am not impressed with that team. Both drivers complaining to television when asked a specific question is one thing, but Bourdais coming on to MY podium, clearly a place of celebration, clearly a place of great atmosphere and to bring the house down with his complaints was a little disturbing. There’s a reason I ask softball questions when on the podium, because it’s a CELEBRATION time. Don’t come to my house and bring my show down! On the other hand, I could have interviewed AJ all day on the podium. In fact, I think he still may be there!

The entire day was great. The pre-race festivities were a lot of fun with all sorts of things going on, the crowd was up considerably from the last two years. The Atlantics race: good god they put on a great show! I feel really bad for Ryan Lewis, but at the same time I can’t help but feel extremely proud of Hinch. I have to say, its always fun listening to “O Canada” on the speaker. Way to go Hinch!

Special thanks to all the folks at the Inner Circle Fan Club dinner from Saturday night. Erik Mauk and I were speakers and we both had a great time.

Someone called me the Spirit of ChampCar today, that was kind of fun. I’m a very happy ChampCar cheerleader! I am off to relax for the evening before my long, long flight back to Toronto tomorrow!