Bend it like Schumacher?

If Michael Schumacher came and drove in Champ Car, what would that do to our series? I say this following today’s announcement that the one and only, Sir David Beckham just signed a 5 year 250 million dollar deal with the Los Angeles Galaxy of the Major League Soccer. Now, I don’t know much about soccer, I don’t know much about Beckham. I am told that he used to be good and now he’s average. Nonetheless, he is still the most recognizable name in Soccer and it’s a genuine coup for the MLS to snatch him up. But what is this going to do for Soccer in the US? I, for one, would now probably go see a Toronto FC game if they played Los Angeles out of curiosity. But I wouldn’t go to the game before that or the game after and, frankly, wouldn’t think much of it after the game. Nonetheless, I would go for the same reason most people will go: to see a real international celebrity and, in this case, hope to catch a glimpse of Posh. I am certain MLS ratings will increase and you can bet that Los Angeles will be playing an awful lot of games on television. It’s a pricey acquisition, but likely to pay off. Would the same thing happen to Champ Car if Schumacher came over?
I avoid asking this question using a popular NASCAR driver a la Dale Jr. Because the answer is too obvious. But a European star, with name recognition, what would that do?
I don’t have an obvious answer. The immediate media exposure would be great. I’m sure ticket sales would go up (although at most races they can’t really go up MUCH higher) and television ratings would probably go up, at least the first few races. But, much like Beckham, is this short-sighted plan on the part of MLS? Will Americans ever truly love soccer like they love their football? Will Americans ever love Champ Car like they love their NASCAR? I really wonder what a name like Schumacher would do to Champ Car. Short term resolve, but in the long run, nothing? Or would this signing put Champ Car back on the map in North America?

Forsythe

I feel bad for Gerry Forsythe these days. The man can’t seem to catch a break, no matter how hard he appears to be trying. The man who literally saved the series, and then had the prominent part of rising it from the ashes now seems to be on everybody’s naughty list for conceiving that Forsythe may in fact, simply run a one-car operation in 2007. Due mainly to the fact (as reported by David Philips and a variety of other news sources) that he doesn’t want to fork over more of his own cash for a second car. Should a sponsor arise and pony up 5 million dollars, then Forsythe would return to a two-car team. Many have voiced their ‘shock’ that the traditional blue and white, the team that has always had two drivers could take the green flag in Vegas with simply Paul Tracy behind the wheel. Poor Mr. Forsythe seems to be in the ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t’ position. I, for one, don’t blame Gerry for wanting to run only one car. And this is coming from a person who knows the Forsythe employees very well, given that I have spent 3 years at Players. I would hate to see that operation cut down and have friends lose their jobs. It’s a wonderful organization filled with wonderful, hard-working people. But, the reality is the reality and Gerry is tired of spending his own money.

One doesn’t become a millionaire or billionaire by spending all their money on toys. And, let’s face it, this is a toy. Like the owner of a baseball franchise, a racecar owner has already made their money and is spending some of it on a hobby they adore. Gerry loves racing. It’s in his blood. He does everything out of love for the sport. Heck, he saved the series so he could continue his team. But, the time has come for a sponsor to help out Gerry. When Players left in 2003, Gerry took the brunt of the load and has since been spending a lot of money to keep this operation not simply afloat, but competitive. He gives his drivers the genuine opportunity to win every race. And let’s not forget the 4 drivers he sponsored this season in the Atlantics, one of which has already raced a couple of Champ Car races. But the bottom line is that for the last 3 years he has spent all of his own money on Forsythe Championship Racing and is understandably tired of it. Hoping and seeking to find a sponsor, he’s maintained a top, competitive outfit. Not to mention keeping the entire series afloat too.

The good news in all of this is that I can’t see Gerry not running two cars if the series was in trouble of fielding a full field (fielding a full field, yeah that’s not awkward to say). If there was any question on car-count, then we wouldn’t be hearing all of this from Forsythe Championship Racing. At least, it’s what I, maybe naively, believe. That the series is in solid shape, so much so, that Forsythe can actually stop spending his own money and the series is still on solid foundation. Of course, ideally, a company steps up (whether it’s Ranger with Wall-Mart or Philippe with, well Philippe Money). But the fact is, right now, it looks like Forsythe Championship Racing will be a one-car team with Tracy behind the wheel. At least Tracy won’t have a teammate to take him out in 2007. As of now anyway. Is Dominguez signed yet? ;)