2007 schedule and some unexpected rant.

Champ Car 2007 schedule. From champcar.ws

April 8 Las Vegas, Nevada - Street Course
April 15 Long Beach, California - Street Course
April 22 Houston, Texas - Reliant Park
May 20 Zhuhai, China - Road Course
June 10 Portland, Oregon - Portland International Raceway
June 24 Cleveland, Ohio - Burke Lakefront Airport
July 1 St. Jovite, Canada - Circuit Mont Tremblant
July 8 Toronto, Canada - Exhibition Place
July 22 Edmonton, Canada - City Centre Airport
July 29 San Jose, California - Street Course
Aug. 12 Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin - Road America
Aug. 19 Denver, Colorado - Pepsi Center
Oct. 21 Surfers Paradise, Australia - Street Course
Nov. 11 Mexico City, Mexico - Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Dec. 2 Phoenix, Arizona - Street Course


I’m very happy with this schedule, as I think the series is firmly planted for the first time in years and now will continue to grow and prosper, as opposed to the other direction. They started to grow the moment the three amigos bought the company, but now the series is definitely growing exponentially and the difference is going to be very evident in Los Vegas. Three races in a row is cool. It’s going to keep the series in the news and that’s great momentum right off the bat. It’s not going to be easy for the people involved, but its going to be fun. But I’m sure that by Sunday in Houston, Champ Car employees will look forward to going home and then….China! What a great idea to host a race there, what an experience it’s going to be for everybody that’s going. Staging a race in a communist country is quite a feat. Good for the series. The series will have a lot of momentum going to the Canada triple header. St Jovite on Canada Day is great and I love the irony (though you probably have to be French Canadian to get it). I’m sooo happy the series is going back to Road America, as I had heard over the weekend some grumbling that they might not be. The series needs Road America and the double-header with ALMS is perfect.
Technically, I like ending the season in December. I don’t mind that. The lull between I could do without, but then again it’s better than having some 10 races all within a three month period. As race fans, we’d be happy with a race every weekend all year. That’s not going to happen, so next season’s schedule is as close to having a season all year long. I mean, we’re talking only 3 months between the end of the 2007 season and the start of the 2008 one.

The new car, new teams and the whole series gets together in Las Vegas. It should be one heck of a season opener.

The IRL announced they would be going to Belle Isle. Pathetic. Nothing ticks me off more than when the IRL announce more road races. It just downright ticks me right off. Why do they bother? Why don’t they stick to their all-oval racing? Their attempts at usurping Champ Car are sad and have failed miserably. In fact, I don’t want to get into a whole ‘thing’ here, but I feel that it’s Champ Car’s turn to get the ball. Here’s what I mean: Over the last few years, we have seen many big, traditional race teams leave Champ Car for the IRL (and engine manufacturers). They have (had) a sweet deal with a HUGE network, not to mention the network that owns the number 1 sport station in the nation. From a media stand point, the IRL has been given EVERYTHING to help promote the series. When I read my ESPN magazine and they promote what’s on ESPN this month and I see an ad for an IRL race, I wonder how many groans were ushered when they realized they had to print that. ABC has ads all over USA Today promoting their upcoming races. They have, arguably the second most recognizable race in America (sorry, but the Daytona 500 has passed the Indy 500 in popularity. Maybe if not for the split, that wouldn’t have happened) that, yes ABC pumps and pumps and pumps to whatever outlet they possibly can. And, the cherry is that female driver they got 2 years ago who has demonstrated an aggressive style at appearing on the cover of magazines wearing next to nothing. They were given the greatest possible gift. Literally it was handed to them. I wonder if Graham was a little older if we wouldn’t see Danica in Champ Cars right now. Danicamania swept the nation and she was everywhere. Literally, everywhere. Despite her non-results, there she was, on the cover of some magazine or on the View pushing her IndyCar career as if her looks and marketability is all she had (has). And yet, the IRL can’t become more than a blip on the radar, if that. They brought in Gene Simmons, have an American Champion and their biggest race had three Americans finish in the top 3. And still, they get nothing. Zilch. It’s why a ‘merger’ won’t do anything for Champ Car. Why? Because you want to know what one series would look like, just look at the IRL. The IRL has been getting the full ABC royal treatment and they still can’t do anything. What more can the IRL and ABC do to promote the IRL that hasn’t already been done? Nothing. They have done as much promotion as NASCAR for crying out loud. Take Champ Cars away and you won’t see anything different from the IRL because they already do everything possible. The IRL has acted as if they are the only open-wheel series in America and they have shrunk in popularity (overall).

What I’d like to know is what would happen if Champ Cars were given what the IRL gets. And by this, I am talking about the Indy 500, a fat contract with the ‘world wide leader in sports’, the Penskes and the Chips of the racing world. I don’t know for sure what would happen, because a lot of ideas are internal. But I know Champ Car has some good people. But what I do know is that the IRL has been given everything in the world to succeed and have failed to do so. Now let’s see what Champ Car could do with all of that.

New Orleans

What a special night in New Orleans last night. I watched the broadcast on ESPN and couldn’t help but tear up at the beginning and throughout most of the pre-game race as they did a remarkable job of balancing the reality of the situation on New Orleans as well as the positives of having the New Orleans Saints back at home for the first time in 13 months. My man Tony Kornheiser has to receiving top honors for staying focused on the tragedy at hand throughout the game and doing such a wonderful job of explaining the importance and the symbolism of this game. It was a lot more than just a football game last night, it was a lot more than just a Monday Nighter. And kudos for Spike Lee for joining the broadcast team for a bit last night and keeping it focused and not losing yourself in a rant, or as he said it “I’m not pulling a Kayne West”. Great job all around last night by that production. Not to mention the Saints winning the game in fashion, by blocking punts, field goals, trick plays, everything! This game had it all and all of America went to bed last night with a little glimmer of hope, but also with a sense of reality of the situation. I expect good things to come out from this broadcast, and I’m not just talking about ratings.

It got me thinking that if I was a billionaire philanthropist, I would totally stage a race there and foot for the bill. I know the cost are ridiculously high and I know that a real businessman doesn’t spend his own money if he doesn’t have too (hence why I am not a billionaire philanthropist), but what a great way to help the city and what a great way to gain some much needed exposure and of course, some economic relief that the race would generate. If one football game can generate so much attention, I’d like to see what a ‘three day festival of speed’ could do. I know that the city needs more than that, naturally. But I venture to say that the economic benefit and the exposure to the reality of the situation would do wonders for both the city and the investors. It’s not a realistic dream I suppose, but then again, dreams that pertain to a person being a billionaire philanthropist usually aren’t.

Speaking of races, I am amazed at the information on the forums pertaining to the new schedule. How do you guys know so much?? The schedule hasn’t been released yet, heck it was revised (as far as I know) as late as this weekend and some of you are spot on! I go back the fan club dinner on Saturday night too, because once again, it amazes me the knowledge that the fanatics have on this series. You guys know more about the series and everything surrounding it then 60 percent of the Champ Car employees! It’s the strongest and most loyal fan base in the world I would venture to say. The schedule officially comes out on Wednesday, so ALL questions will be answered by then. But, most of you seem to already know everything already!

September 26

The Atlantics season has come and gone and, in my estimation, will be remembered as one of the best seasons of all time. I am truly blessed to have had the privileged to announce these drivers, to speak to them on the podium and to have gotten to know them better. You know, I make it a point to keep a certain distance from drivers for professional reasons, I don’t want to be buddy-buddy with any particular driver so that it causes some sort of bias in my job; but I can tell you there are a few of these Atlantic drivers that I am proud to know and would be happy to call friends. It really was a quality group of kids this season, one that will leave a lasting impression on the world of open-wheel racing.

The Atlantics banquet was wonderful, as it’s been in the past. The speeches were genuine and the emotions were true. The top 3 finishers gave a speech and each left their own special mark on the crowd. Yokohama representatives were VERY emotional in their farewell speech and it’s obvious that the person who made the decision (Yokohama is leaving after 18 years in the series) was someone ‘upstairs’, unfamiliar with the series and all its value. The Yokohama reps that I have gotten to know over the last two seasons are as passionate about racing as anybody out there and I’m sorry to see them go because, like I mentioned, its obvious it was a decision from the big bosses and if it were up to them, they would be back next year (kind of like the situation of yours truly, come to think of it).

Perhaps the funniest moment of the night was when Simon Pagenaud, to ease his nervousness a little, simply said ‘Ricky Bobby’ in all his French accent, which I must admit was pretty much identical to the French driver-Character in Talladega Nights. The crowd had a good laugh with that one. He went on to thank many people; amongst others was Claire and Sebastian Bourdais who have really helped him out.

I got the impression last night that next year we will see Graham Rahal and Simon Pagenaud in Champ Cars and possibly other drivers. I know it seems like old news, but last night it seemed like it was all but a done deal for those two drivers next season. We’ll see. I suspect Andreas Wirth will also find his way on the grid in 2007 and maybe even one or two more. I think Bomarito’s win at Road America will do wonders for him as now he’s not just a good driver with good results, but has proven he can ‘get er done’ and sustain all the pressure that comes with it. If I was an owner, I would definitely take a closer look at him. Not to mention Matos, Martinez, Maia (who has the advantage or disadvantage of being in his mid-twenties) and frankly, anybody who finished in the top 10.

Oh, and Kalkoven assured us that the 2-million dollar prize wasn’t a one-time thing to attract attention to the series, and that prize money is back for next season also. You know a lot of drivers and teams in the room were VERY happy to hear that news.

Speaking of news, the 2007 schedule comes out on Wednesday, but I got a sneak peak at it and here it is…ahh I can’t do that! Then that would really seal the deal on my future with the series. I’ll just wait until Wednesday, but I will admit that one particular event made me go “really!?” in a good way! Next year will be fun!

And finally, I just want to thank everybody at the Atlantics this season who have helped me out for the last two years. We’ve had a lot of fun together and I have learned so much from you. The Atlantics personnel are truly a family and truly have a passion for what they do and better people you’ll never find in any type of organization. I’ve been blessed to have had the privilege of working and getting to know all of you. Thank you for accepting me into your Atlantics family.

September 25th

Post race wrap up. Literally. The drivers are still going through inspection, but with the magic of the internet and having an internet connection at my disposal, I am able to write a little quick recap of Sunday’s event.

First of all, if there ever was a reason to be thankful of all the safety elements that go in the cars, its today. Katherine Legge had one of the biggest crashes you’ll ever see, but like a lot of these crashes these days, the cars are meant to be destroyed on impact, save for the tub and that’s exactly what happened and Katherine is completely fine, amazingly enough. She favored her knee a little bit, but it’s all it is, just a little sore at the moment. Amazing what she went through today, you hate seeing it happen, but you love the fact that she suffered no real injury. It was a tense moment, but it worked out just fine. She was running a strong race too. That hardly matters at this point, since her safety is what we care about, but the fact is she was running a very very good race.

Now, on to the winner. First and foremost, I don’t know how this happened, I don’t know who was in charge or who made the decision, but thank you for extending the 2 hour window. Thank you for letting us has the thrilling finish that we witness here this afternoon. Yes, it was a long delay and yes nothing changed in terms of the top three, but I promise that it’s a finish we’ll remember for a long time. Congratulations to AJ for winning his 5th race of the season and for extending the chase for the Vanderbilt Cup. I know some people wanted the trophy to be won in America, but personally I would rather see the chase go as deep into the season as possible. So what if its handed out in Australia? It’s not as if the media who’s been covering the series all year won’t pick up the story. If it really was a big issue then they would move the Australia race from its current date to a date much earlier in the season. Australia is a nice part of the Champ Car World Series and helps establish the WORLD in the title, so why not have the Vanderbilt Cup winner in Australia? Not that it’s a guarantee anyway, as AJ just continues to put pressure on Bourdais.

Once again, the Newman/Haas drivers were none too happy on the podium. Bourdais was downright pissed off and Bruno, who should have been ecstatic considering he started 10th and got, hit on the first lap, complained of a late race situation that didn’t allow him to stay at the top. Oh well, that’s the mentality of a winner, it’s the top step of the podium or bust! AJ was all smiles naturally, which he would have been anywhere on that podium. It was definitely a thrilling event here at Road America.

And what an Atlantic race!!! Talk about craziness! First off, congrats to Jonathan Bomarito and that PR1 motor sports team for capturing their first win of the season. You’d be hard press to find a nicer, more genuine and humble driver than Bomarito and while I make it a habit not to cheer for any particular driver, I was very very happy that he held off the competition to capture his first win of the season. With regards to the Championship, holy cow!!! Rahal suffers a mechanical breakdown, and then the next lap Pagenaud is punted and is out of the race, Rahal scored at 20th and Pagenaud at 17th?? As Rahal said, he was one lap away from winning the championship and that ever so dependable ride of his let up. It really just wasn’t meant to be for Graham who nonetheless put on a fine campaign. And of course, a huge congratulations to Simon Pagenaud. I have always been a big fan of consistent driver. I know they aren’t always the most exciting drivers out there and I know that some series have literally changed their whole scoring process to make sure that consistent drivers aren’t necessarily rewarded, but I am a big fan and therefore, I am a big fan of Simon Pagenaud!

By the way, I can hear the press conference behind me and it appears that Bourdais has loosened up a little and, as usual, AJ has the whole room cracking up. Boy Champ Car is lucky to have both of those drivers! Oh, I think Paul Newman grabbed my butt too at the end on the podium. I could be wrong.

Off to the Atlantic banquet!