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| |  | Date: Mon, 25 May 98 19:17:17
From: "Sherrie Alexander"
Subject: Great Article!
Thanks for your article and personal insights into the truly pitiful situation between the IRL and CART; especially it's impact on the Indy 500. No one feels good about the restrictions placed on participation in the greatest racing event of the year.
It is my opinion that the die hard fans of open wheel racing just want to see strong, competitive, fair and safe racing. Our loyalties are with the drivers -- not their 'political' affiliation.
While I understand the 'grounds for divorce,' I can't help but agree with you that there has to be some sort of solution that will lead to a reconciliation -- a resolve that will solidify and strengthen a single organization.
Both organizations have terrific talent and potential. Wouldn't it be great if we could pool the resources and assets of each to create the opportunity for drivers to compete in the greatest open wheel racing series in the world!!
On a personal note, your participation in the Indy 500 was sincerely missed. Your strong and heroic performance of last year sincerely demonstrated your passion for racing. It is that intensity and drive that is so inspiring to those of us who live vicariously through your efforts.
Robby, you are one of the great drivers who has the ability to win the Indy. Don't give up hope . . . there just has to be a solution.
Sherrie AlexanderSeattle, WA | Thanks for the moral support. Unfortunately I hope someonewill rise to the surface, capable of presiding over such complicated issues.It really takes someone knowledgable in open wheel racing as well asaccomplished in his/her negotiating skills. With the recent TV numbers nowpublic knowledge, it becomes even more evident that something has to give. Wejust need to find the right person.
Isn't that true of just about every successful business, if we just had theright people. People are everything! |
| | Date: Fri, 29 May 1998 10:31:44 EDT
From: Frisbyajf@aol.com
Subject: Belle Isle
Thanks for your articles on Speedcenter, it's good reading. My question hasto do with the upcoming Detroit Grand Prix. Don't answer it until you'vetried the new course configuration: I want a straight, no BS answer to thequestion, did they fix it and is this a track CART could run on for severalyears?
Keep up the good work.
Tony Fossett | Tony,
here is the problem: the cars are so evenly matched and the track is laid outin such a way, that with 100 extra horses, no passing can happen, unless ofcourse someone misses a shift or something. The only passing that will occurwill be in the pit and maybe in turn 1. That's it. Bummer.
I obviously have a great fondness for Detroit. I want to keep running therebut they might think about having some driver input to open up the passingareas. |
| | Date: Mon, 1 Jun 1998 15:46:31 EDT
From: F1indy007@aol.com
Subject: Robby
Robby,
First i would like to say that i'm sooo happy that your back where youbelong(in cart). Robby i'm your biggest fan in the world, from posters to diecast i have you everywhere!! One of the coolest times in my life was when imet you at the Molson Indy in Toronto.
Anyways my question is...How can i stay positive in my racing career? I havejust started to race karts and since my father has no interest in it, i findmyself trying to learn everything myself and its hard. Also i have had to fundall this myself, being 16 trying to start a racing team isn't cheap. With usedbeat up equipement its hard to get good results. I sincerly hope you can helpme with that question and this one " How do i get some decent funding to becompetitive?"
Cheers Robby
Ryan | Ryan.
Keep after it. They key is trying to understand your vehicle so that you maycome up with a competitive advantage even though your underfunded. I wasfortunate in off-road because my natural talent drew attention and peopleasked me to drive their cars. With regard to the funding issue, the game haschanged immensely. See if you can find someone who can sell for you. Try theJim Hall Karting school. Jim is a helluva guy and an endorsement from himmight take you to the next level. Race on. |
| | | From: ChengKen@aol.com
Subject: Question for Robby Gordon
Hello Robby!
Sorry to see you crash out at Milwaukee while trying to unlap yourself. Toughto get around Paul! I know you guys will get there, soon.
I know you've answered alot of questions about the CART/Indy split, but I'vebeen thinking of an idea for a while now, and wanted to pass it by someone onthe inside. Since, you have made a passionate pleading for a reconciliation, Ithought I would send my idea to you.
Both CART and the IRL should keep their existing chassis/engine formulae, asit is hard to see either series giving up its engine formula, which is heavilysubsidized by the manufacturers. Any compromise has to be amenable to them.
Indy Lites should adopt the IRL formula, but detune the Olds Aurora 4.0L-v8engine to about 9000rpm, or whatever gives them about 500hp. CART should takesome of their IPO money to buy the existing Lola T97/20, and then sell them asa group to a promoter in S. America or wherever. In addition to detuning theAurora engine, it should use different wings, undertray and airbox todifferentiate visually from the IRL's formula and meet the Lites teamsdevelopment needs.
CART and IRL would continue to run their own series, but for Indy and Fontana,both series would come together with IRL teams using their existing IRLchassis/engines, and with CART teams using/borrowing/leasing the IRLchassis/engines from the Indy Lites teams. Of course, the Lites cars would bere-fitted with the IRL-spec wings, undertray, and airbox in order to meet fullIRL-spec. This would promote closer ties between CART teams and Indy Litesteams. Maybe, more CART teams would run/own a Lites team, like Green, Tasman,Rahal, PacWest, etc.
For example, Penske would have Lil Al and Ribeiro take over Clint and CaseyMears's Lites/IRL cars to run at Indy and Fontana. Tasman would have Kanaanuse DaMatta's car, and their other Lites car would be leased to another CARTteam. This way CART teams, don't have to buy and develop an IRL car for onerace, the Lites teams would be running them. And, they wouldn't have to hire aseparate team to develop the Lites/IRL car, as the Lites teams would be doingthat, and they would already have a setup book to work from.
Of course, this raises the cost of a running a Lites team, but they would getmore operating budget money from increased sponsor exposure, as these carswould be running at Indy and Fontana. The Olds Aurora would be a goodsuccessor to the somewhat aged Buick 4.2L-v6 that is currently in the Litescar. CART's current Lites engine builder would still rebuild the engines, andCART would still own and lease the engines for the Lites series. Individualteams could buy their own engines for Indy and Fontana if they wanted. AndrewCraig has mentioned that he would like to build the Lites formula into astand-alone series. That would be easier if the engines were more identifiablyV8s, and the cars had an in-race refuelling capability that the present LolaT97-20 does not.
What Tony George and IMS get:
* CART competitors return to Indy
* IRL's oval-only series stays the same, with no changes to its chassis orengines
* Lites drivers also graduate to IRL as well as CART, an easier jump than fromF2000. Lites already act as an unofficial development series for the IRL, asBourbonnais, Ward, Ray, R. Unser, A. Giaffone, Miller, Calkins, Boat, and Buhlhave all driven in Lites
* IRL drivers get another marquee event to race at, Fontana and maybe Michigan
CART gets:
* CART competitors return to Indy
* CART series stays the same except for Indy, with no changes to its chassisor engines
* Closer relationship with Indy Lites, which it owns
* Fontana instantly becomes a marquee event, due to link with Indy's formula.Could add Michigan for a Triple Crown series with serious bonus money
* Lites gets more exposure, as CART guys race in Lites' events for practicelike Mark Martin does in Busch cars
* Lites increase their capability of being a stand-alone series like Busch inNASCAR
Of course, this hasn't cost Tony George and IMS anything, and it has costCART, maybe $5+ million as its loss on the Lola T97-20 chassis, and existingBuick engine inventory. But, this is an investment in CART's future, as thecurrent split has hurt CART's tv ratings. The fans want Unser, Andretti andGordon back at Indy, and I'm not talking Johnny, Jeff and Jeff! And, CARTturns Fontana into a marquee event, and maybe Michigan, too, with theirassociation with Indy, and a Triple Crown. And, Lites get a higher profilewith their closer association to both CART, the IRL and Indy!
As CART's series continues to grow with new races at the Lausitzring, MexicoCity, Road Atlanta, Chicago and elsewhere, some existing races might getpushed off the schedule. For example, while great tracks like Milwaukee andMid-Ohio, would be a shame to lose, economics might force a change. A sidebenefit of the new Lites formula would have the Lites teams taking over thoseevents at Milwaukee and Mid-Ohio, but those events would stay as an openweekend for the CART teams, allowing some of the CART drivers to race in theevents, thus creating a link as those races transition from CART to Lites.
Of course, CART might think about having one of the existing CART chassissuppliers build the IRL-spec chassis, as they might be able to contract abetter volume price for the 40+ that would be needed. Penske has alreadystated that he would like to build his own chassis. Would he like to build onefor all the CART teams to use at Indy, Fontana and Michigan as well as theLites series?
Anyway, that's all I can think of for now.
Regards,
Ken Cheng | Ken,
Great thought. Here's the problem. Tony would never under any circumstancesmake a deal that would compare his program to Indy Lites, although the formulaas you note is very similar.
It's worth submitting your idea. Type it up clean, no holes and submit itback to me. I'll see if we can it in the hands of some people. Thanks forthinking. Keep up the good work. |
| | Date: Mon, 01 Jun 1998 08:34:00 -0500
From: Unser
Subject: Q&A
Robby,
Today I was cleaning out my closet, and I came across a November 1994"Racer" Magazine which had an interview with you. In the article youare quoted as saying:
"I'm one of the guys that's not going to give up. going to be one ofthose guys that chops you, that comes down, that races you. I'mcompetitive. I don't know how to explain it any more that that"
Do you think that quote still applies to Robby Gordon today?
Glad to have you back in CART!
Tom Przewoznik
Cocoa, Florida | Tom Przewoznik:
My quote in racer of 1994 still stands. Read Autoweek article, June 15th. IfI had to do the Michael incident all over again, I would. Please understandit has nothing to do with my regard for Michael. He is probably one of thebest talents in our sport. In that case it just was Michael. It could havebeen Zanardi or Moore or Villenuve or Vasser. The outcome would have been thesame. Sometimes in this world you've got to stand your ground. If I'm racinginto the last turn before the checker, is there any doubt that I'm going toprotect my position. You know the answer and so do all my competitors. As itshould be. |
| | Date: Mon, 01 Jun 1998 12:36:16 -0500
From:Rizk, Pat
Subject: Indy
Just read your article and your suggestion to 'smooth the troubledwaters' between CART and the IRL. I agree with you, Robby. As a fan, Ican only hope that 'cool heads' will prevail. I truly missed seeing yourun at Indy last week. I saw you Sunday morning out on the track as theyaligned the cars. I took a picture of you talking to Andy Evans ofScandia Racing. By the way, see you in Houston this October - my hometown.
Pat J.Rizk | Pat,
Thanks for the support. Someday soon we'll be back home again in Indiana.Hope to see you in Houston. |
| | | Date: Wed, 03 Jun 1998 10:49:32 -0500
From: Chris Nielsen
Subject: Its Over
I read the questions and comments posted here on speedcenter and I wasquite suprised at the people that still hold out some hope forreconciliation between CART and the IRL. I attended Indy for years andhaven't been back since the split. It looks to me like these two serieshave about as much chance of getting back together as a merger betweenCART and F1. Tony George is standing firm and as long as fans keepshowing up on the day of the race, he has no reason to change. The factis he does not care about what we the fans want, he is on a power tripand thinks he has the birthright to control open wheel racing. Iwatched the Indy awards banquet as all those drivers got up and thankedTony for giving the race back to the American drivers. What happened tothe Brabhams, Fittipaldis and Andrettis and all the other foreigndrivers who competed at Indy? And who cares if they are Americananyway, Isn't it the greatest drivers competing head to head. It wouldbe like having the Olympics and only inviting the Americans. Myquestion is, why don't you guys in CART just quit talking about the Indy500. As long as Tony keeps reading articles about CART drivers talkingabout how they feel bad and they should reach a compromise its justmakes him feel like hes got more of the marbles and your all ready tobend over and kiss his a**.
Stick with CART Robby, I love watching you race and think Toyota has abright future.
Chris | Chris,
Great post. I understand your position. However, it's not about kissingTony's rear that motivates me about Indy. It's the tradition, the history,the competition, the challenge. By just giving up, I would be like everyperson out there. We don't need two open wheel series. We need one greatone. I will not give up on what I believe. Sorry. |
| | Date: Wed, 03 Jun 1998 12:10:26 -0500
From: sadams@InterBio.com
Subject: Thanks for the autograph
Hi Robby! My girlfriend and I traveled from Baton Rouge, LA to see theCART race in St. Louis a week and a half ago. First, the race was great!Second, I wanted to thank you for the autograph after a photoshoot you didoutside of your trailer that Friday while the support trucks were trying todry off the track. Although I am not a big NASCAR fan, I did always tendto look how you finished last year in the paper each week. Also, mygirlfriend said that she liked pulling for you because you that that"hometown" look and seemed to enjoy interacting with the fans, and sheenjoyed seeing that in a driver of a series with so many superstars in it.
Thanks!!
Seth Adams
PS: We'll both be pulling for you in Houston when we travel to that raceas well. (I wish their were more down here in the South) | Seth,
Thanks for the support. Without great fans like you, it would certainly makeour job much less exciting. Hope to see you in Houston. |
| | | Date: Thu, 04 Jun 1998 17:20:17 -0700
From: JD (jgrissom@earthlink.net)
Subject: Engage the Thoughts
Hey Robby,Checked out your journalistic skills at Speed Center and I'm glad to see thatsome professional athletics in competitive sports have paid importantattention to education, rather than how many Ben Franklins they can put intheir pockets.
It's too bad that because Tony got upset with the board members of C.A.R.T.,he took his ball and went home.....In using this politically disingenuousmove, he and the stubbornness of others, has possibly destroyed many C.A.R.T.drivers the opportunity to take the checked at the brickyard. Sad situation.Roger, Karl, Chip, Wally and all the rest of the political powers to be,should listen to what there support groups(fans)and the drivers have to say.Finding the root cause of a problem isn't always easy, but they should put thehigh dollar ego's and attitudes aside and take a look at what NASCARWinston/Bucsh people have conquered in just the past 5 years. As in the famouswords of Rodney King. "W-W-Why can't we all just get along?"
Watch the Marble's,
JD | JD:
Interesting you bring up the marbles. That is soon to be another topic thatconcerns me. The marbles are killing the racing. One line, competitive carsand drivers = single file racing. Thanks for reading all my bull. Iappreciate all your support. |
| | Date: Tue, 09 Jun 1998 23:13:17 -0500
From: Bob & Terri Strysick
Subject: Concrete Jungles
Hi Robby,
What type of track is more enjoyable for a driver to race on, a streetcourse like Detroit, a road course like Road America, or a oval? Why?I saw you race at Milwaukee and looks like you will put your Toyota onthe podium real soon! Good Luck!
From A Milwaukee Mile Fan,
Bob | Terri Strysick and Bob:
The type of track most desirable for Robby Gordon is probably different forevery driver. I enjoy the tracks that make the driver work. Places likeCleveland where its just plain wide open, plently of places to pass and gowheel to wheel. The bullrings are fun if your car is good. If your car isbad, it is true hell.
Thanks for your support. We are getting there. |
| | | | "It's not about kissingTony's rear that motivates me about Indy. It's the tradition, the history,the competition, the challenge. By just giving up, I would be like everyperson out there." | |
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