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| | Date: Sat, 13 Jun 1998 03:34:48 EDT
From: ChengKen@aol.com
Subject: Question for RobbyG Robby,
I've enjoyed your columns all over the web very much. I was wondering how your pairing with Max is working out. Are you able to feed off each other and improve your setups faster by sharing your setup information like Target's Jimmy and Alex seem to be able to do? Or are your driving styles too different for that kind of setup sharing?
Regards,
Ken Cheng | | There is always a struggle with two car teams. Engineers on each of the teamsand drivers on each of the teams usually like different things. Max and Ihave driven both the same setups and then completely different setups. We areusually very close on our lap times, irregardless, which means we are gettingit "all" out of the car/engine package. I have a bit of an advantage on theovals do to the fact that I've run a lot more of them. Overall, we havepushed each other to bring the Toyota program to the front. I have a greatrespect for Max's talents. He doing a fine job for our team. |
| | Date: Sat, 13 Jun 1998 16:52:06 -0400
From: Carol Thompson
Subject: Question to Robby
Great to have you back! With your driving ability the Toyota program should come along much quicker. You seem to be happier now then when you were racing "taxi cabs"(NASCAR). You mentioned Off Road , are you still racing SCORE? I know with your new team many firsts will come. Hopefully, your first victory will come in Toronto, where I can see it first hand.You know the track(Pole position in 95). Good luck in Portland, I'll be watching. | | There is just no time to run all the SCORE events. However, I will be runningthis years Baja 1000 in a Toyota V-8 that we are building at my shop. We willbe running in the Trophy Truck class against Ivan Stewart and my Team Owner,Cal Wells. This will be good old fashion fun! |
| | Date: Sun, 14 Jun 1998 00:08:12 EDT
From: MBkin@aol.com
Subject: Go Robby!
RG:
Welcome back to CART! I have always admired your skill with the wheel and the pedals. I did lose patience with you and some of the (ahem..) incidents in the old Valvoline car. As for NASCAR, Sabates is a dick. But now with the Toyota development situation... everybody wants to see you guys competitive. It is thrilling to see good times and passes when you produce them. A word of advice: insist on professionalism from TRD. No excuses, just results. Hell, look at the drivers they've got: you, PJ and Papis, you guys are tigers! Good Luck
You go boy
Mike Boykin
| | Incidents and accidents will happen. Unfortunately for me, it's beenhappening way too much lately. I am trying to drive the car way too hard andit's been biting me. The remainder of the season look for a bit moreconservative "must finish" style. The problem is that at this time in thedevelopment cycle, it tends to be slower paced. I'm giving it all I have.Thanks for the support. |
| | Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 15:30:29 -0700
From: Kinsey
Subject: IRL V. CART
Robby,
How does the competition measure up between CART guys and the IRL drivers? Obviously we would like to see The 500 open to everyone as in the early years of the 500 when Granatelli brought the turbine to the 500, do you think this is feasible?I would love to see Zanardi, Moore,Tracy, Gordon, and the rest of the CART contingent go head to head with Tony Stewart!!!! Can you also comment on how it feels watching Dr.Jack, Robbie Unser, and others who were marginal at best in the Indy Lights program sitting on the grid at Indy? Really says alot about the IRL and the fact that it just a spec series trying to play in the "BIGS". Good Luck, Good Racing, Be Safe!!!! | | There is no question that many of the IRL drivers are talented guys. Many ofthem are very good oval racers. Some of them are even good on road courses.Tony Stewart, Scott Sharp and Greg Ray are all very capable guys. There areothers too. It's all about getting with the right team, having the rightengineer and standing on the gas. Maybe there will be a compromise soon andwe can see just how we all compare. |
| | Date: Thu, 18 Jun 1998 17:30:19 -0400
From: Cheryl Mata
Subject: Who Rules?
Hi Robby,
I'll get right to it! How do YOU feel about the Tracy/Fittipaldi Clash? Why such a harsh probation on Paul? Worse things have happened on the track and NO probation was inforced. What's good for one driver, should be good for another, right? Accidents happen, deal! Come on Wally, your rules and regulations should be upheld for all and by all? I seem to remember something about a rule about not doing donuts after a race or you'd be fined? Well, if the owner says
what the hell, you've won, do some donuts you deserve it, there not respecting the rules, don't let the guy with the most money win!! Just make your rules stand!!! I think Paul got the short end of this stick. This is such a competitive series and all of the drivers are so evenly matched, they should all be evenly treated!
Thank you,
C. Mata
| | Paulie and I go back a long way. He typically makes mistakes in closingdistances. I don' t think that his intentions were to run Christian off thetrack, it just happened. A racing accident as you put it. The same thinghappened at Cleveland with Al Jr. Paul is with a new team. They certainlyhaven't given up on him. He will probably win a race this year. Don't countPaul out yet. |
| | Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 14:56:46 -0500
From: Kris Joshi
Subject: Karting and getting started
Hi Robby,
I would like to start kart racing soon and hope to become a professional racing driver someday. Karting seems like a perfect starting point since it is challenging and economical for most aspiring drivers. After karting it seems that it is neccessary to climb the famed "ladder" either in N. America or Europe. But a higher level of racing requires a higher level of funds. How does a driver find a sponsor for the minor league forms of open wheel racing? Many Barber Dodge, Atlantic and Lights drivers have at least some financial help from corporations and with the escalating price of racing cars a sponsor is defineatly required.
Thanks,
-Kris- | Sponsorship is the key to all racing. Just remember the most important thing...
"The most important sponsor.... is the one that you have." Translation...Take care of the people that help you along the way. Find a guy/gal who cansell for you and give them a part of what you make. It's much easier going down the road witha teammate.
|
| | Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 14:57:02 -0500
From: sadams@InterBio.com
Subject: Thanks for the autograph
Hi Robby!
My girlfriend and I traveled from Baton Rouge, LA to see the CART 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 did outside of your trailer that Friday while the support trucks were trying to dry off the track. Although I am not a big NASCAR fan, I did always tend to look how you finished last year in the paper each week. Also, my girlfriend said that she liked pulling for you because you that that "hometown" look and seemed to enjoy interacting with the fans, and she enjoyed 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 race as well. (I wish their were more down here in the South) | | Sorry to disappoint you with my most recent finishes. It's been tough lately.We will get it turned around for this next weekend at Mid-Ohio. I appreciateyour support. |
| |  | Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 16:32:01 -0500
From: Eric Wiegleb
Subject: Another indy question
A lot of the drivers always say that they would like to be back at Indy.I wondered if when they are saying this is it the place or the race they are refering to?
I was thinking that if Tony let CART run a "support" race "400 miler" the Saturday of Memorial Day and in exchange the IRL runs on the Saturday before Michigan and Fontana and has the option for race dates at Nazareth, Milwaukee, Chicago, Gateway, and Homestead. Plus the two groups should work toward making a racing schedule with the least amount of conflicts.This would at least give the appearance of cooperation. Give CART the exposure of INDY and the IRL the exposure of key venues. It would also allow CART fans to see the IRL and vice versa. It would also allow the drivers from the two series to do some crossover if the owners would allow them to in their contracts (Another big issue)The only hitch is that Tony would have to admit that his series is not at
the same level as CART and never will be. Without the international races the IRL can't draw the sponser revenue that CART does. But at least this plan leaves Tony with the 500 being an open race. A resume builder if you will.
Just a thought and I was wondering about your opinion.
Eric | We are certainly talking about the Indy 500. There is no way that Tony willlet the CART guys run at Indy unless the rules package comes together. It'stoo bad but that is the way it's going to be.
If it were me. Single engine rules package. Single chassis rules package andlet go race. period. Run whereever you want, whenever you want. |
| | | Date: Sat, 20 Jun 1998 17:40:50 -0500
From: Todd T Wenzel
Subject: CART Racing
Robby,
I enjoy reading your insight at speedcenter, and I have an idea that you might enjoy reading. I am talking about a super race weekend consisting of a CART race and a NASCAR race at Road Atlanta. As far as I can see, both would be interested in it, and it would definately be profitable. The fans in Georgia would get to see NASCAR, and would be exposed to CART, and the CART fans would get to see NASCAR, a kind of two races for the price of one. I think that sponsors would be knocking on the door to sponsor this super event. Both races could be televised live on ABC or ESPN as a package. Ratings would be high if this event was marketed as the "Olympics of Racing", especially if Penske had Rusty Wallace drive a third CART car, and you drove a car for Hendrick or someone, and Scott Pruett could get a ride for that race. Also, John Andretti or Jeff Gordon could find a ride in CART for the race, causing more NASCAR fans to follow the race. It could work, as both series would be there on the same weekend.
They could race on the same day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. They could flip a coin to see who would race first, and get the good garages or facilities.
I think this would be an awesome event no one would want to miss, do you think it would be a money making dream or a clashing of worlds? I would liken it to the Flintstones meeting the Jetsons.
Tim Wenzel | Tim,
maybe you should apply for a job with one of the CART promoters or withCART directly. We need someone with your innovative ideas. I agree that themore "interesting" the racing becomes the more fans we will draw in. Bringit on. I would endorse it all the way. |
| | | Date: Mon, 22 Jun 1998 14:48:51 -0500
From: "David Dunn"
Subject: CART and ovals... why the love affair?
Robby:
First and foremost I want to thank you for participating in this forum... I think it's great to have the ability to "connect" with the drivers and hear what they think about all the different affairs on and off the track. I always try to check out your track preview before each race... it gives me a feeling of being "closer" to each track while I watch the race. (since I can't be at every race... unless I win the lottery or if Peter wants to give me job... Peter are you listening?... laugh)
My question for you is, why is CART running so many oval races? It seems to me that they are trying to be like the IRL or compete with them for TV ratings. (in my opinion the IRL has got to be one of the most uninteresting kinds of racing there is) I don't mind watching a couple of oval races a season (4 races tops) but please! if I really wanted to see oval racing I'd watch the IRL or NASCAR and I don't think that's what CART wants. (or me for that matter) A friend of mine refuses to watch any of the oval races CART runs, the only oval he'd watch is at Indy... but not if it's the IRL... let's hope the IRL dies out and we can all enjoy CART at the brickyard again. I understand
they want more races per season but can't they find more road/street courses to run on? I'm sure there has to be more cities out there that would love to host a CART race not to mention the money that it would bring in to that city.
Keep up the good work (on and off the track) see you in Toronto.
David Dunn
| | We really don't run that many ovals when you take a look at the schedule. Ibelieve its 7 of 19. I think that's is a pretty good mix. Especiallyconsidering two of the ovals, Nazareth and Milwaukee are short ovals. Youhave to admit that the Michigan race was exciting to watch with the newhanford device. Talk about edgy to drive. Wow. It's no wonder Rahal'scomment of " I thank God everytime I leave that place in one piece" drew someattention. I can guarantee you, every driver felt that way. |
| | | Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 21:26:12 -0500
From: "Steve Rogers"
Subject: Ken Cheng's Idea
Ken had a good idea with the basics of a CART/IRL merger, but I agree with your thought that Tony would never "lower" the IRL equal to Indy Lights.I recently submitted a letter to the editors of On Track, with the roughly the same idea. In part:
"Everyone would like to see the CART drivers to be able to get back to Indy, but how about getting them together more than once per season? This would give the CART drivers access to Indy, and give the IRL drivers access to other great tracks, to help expand their series. Kind of like inter-league play in other sports."
"Both CART and the IRL would run most of the season on their own, but they could schedule to run together maybe up to 4 times a season at the "Superspeedways". How about Indianapolis, Michigan, Fontana, and maybe together they could arrange for a race at Daytona?!!""Obviously, things would have to be worked out to help equalize the different chassis'. Couldn't the engines be equalized a bit by cutting the boost in the turbo engines used in CART? This has been done before for different engines, and it is not without precedent to have completely different packages running together at Indy (two-seaters/singles, front engines/rears, turbo-fans, etc.)."
"The biggest problems I see is the expansion of the fields, the available pit space, and each series' individual points schedules. Could the general public stand to see 39, 42 or 45 cars starting at Indy, instead of the sacred 33? Would they really care, or would there just be more excitement from the showdown?"
"As for the points, each series could award points only to their own drivers, as if running separate classes in the same race."Of course, my thoughts were the equalizing of the packages, and I figured it would be easier to detune the Champ Cars just a bit, which is being done by CART already (compare this years' qualifying speeds between Indy, Fontana, and the testing being done at Michigan -- to too much difference!). Also, both sides have to have something to give -- one side has Indy, the other has two premier ovals in Fontana and Michigan -- CART gets back to Indy, and the IRL gets tons more exposure and respect.
The best thing about it, the fans are the big winners, in addition to each series, and all the drivers.
One extra note: If the field size is a major issue, hold 100 mile qualifying races in a "speed week" format, ala some NASCAR events.My hat is off to Ken, and others, who are starting to have some of the same ideas that maybe the IRL and CART can actually help each other, and really help raise the exposure and interest in open-wheel racing as a whole.
Best wishes, and I'll see you at Road America!
Steve Rogers
Milwaukee, WI | | Great idea. Noone really cares how many cars start the race. As long as wecan keep it safe. I like the qualifying race idea, however it's tough oncars, especially if you crash one. It's not like NASCAR where you can justkeep running em. |
| | Date: Fri, 10 Jul 1998 10:46:58 -0500
From: Scott Muller
Subject: Great Job!
Hi Robby,
I've really been enjoying your "Speednotes". Keep it up!Don't let anybody tell you that you need to tone it down. If there's one thing needed right now in Indy/Cart racing it's an honest assessment of the "state (be it sad) of the union".
Go Fast,
Scott | | Appreciate the support. Trying my hardest to go fast, but the fence seems tobe getting in the way lately. We'll turn it around. I am trying as hard as Ican to go fast and run up front. Keep cheering. I won't let you down. |
| | Date: Fri, 10 Jul 1998 10:47:02 -0500
From: (Alexis Vaughn)
Subject: family
Dear Robby,
I have just one question. Are you related to Jeff Gordon? Please respond soon. Thank you for your time!
Alexis & Dodi | | I bet Jeff Gordon gets the same question. Are you related to Robby Gordon?There no question, I better looking but he's been kickin my butt lately in thewin section. Actually, Jeff and I are not related. He is one great race cardriver no matter what anyone says. I would love to see Jeff with a CART ride,he would be great for our Series. |
| | | Date: Fri, 10 Jul 1998 10:47:11 -0500
From: Jeffrey Smith
Subject: Tires
Hi Robby and thanks for taking time to participate with the fans.
My question is with regard to making it easier to pass on road/street courses.
I know the cars are so evenly matched now, but one of the common complaints I hear on lack of passing opportunities has to do with the "marbles" build up from the increasingly softer compound tires. This trend has seemed to get worse and worse over the years and also gets worse the longer into a race you are.
If the tire compounds were legislated to a required hardness, do you think this would help? By making the tires harder, there would be less buildup and it would slow the cars down since there would not be as much grip. This would put more of a premium back on the driver. I know this would take some of the fun out of it for the tire companies, but really the name of the game is to get people watching........and watching lines of cars with no passing at road/street courses is not too much fun. This is why my favorite racing is still the ovals and in particular the bull-rings.
Jeff Smith Internet ID: Nittany@us.ibm.com | Marbles are a big problem. Especially on street courses. Mandated hardnessor tread compounds might help but the only way really to solve the issue is tohave one tire, like NASCAR has. Or we should bring out the NASCAR yellowsand sweep the track every 20 laps or so.
We also need to make sure that the course layouts provide places to pass. I'msure we'll get it right here shortly. |
| | | Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 13:19:42 -0500
From: "Philip Smurthwaite"
Subject: Attitude
Hi Robby I ve been a fan of yours for awhile now and try to watch as much of your races as possible, but I live in Auckland, New Zealand and until recently we only received a minor amount of motor racing. Anyway I just want to say that the reason why I am a big fan of yours is because of your attitude (Hope that doesn't offend you) and also you are a great driver. Basically the way I see it you speak your mind and are honest which is very pleasing. I also want to put in my views of Indy, it is an international race it is also a big part of motor racing history and if they want it to stay that way they had better get their act together and stop acting like 8 year olds who dont want to share their new toys. I personally find it good how you are doing this column and interacting with your fans, but it sounds like you are very busy, have you got more to do this year (being with Toyota) compared to other years???? Well thats my two cents, I hope to see you in person in Australia, keep up the good work and good racing, I hope that things work out for you. | I appreciate your support. How about a Fosters on me at Surfers! Fortunatelyor unfortuantely depending on how you look at it, I am going to tell it likeit is. I have tempered that just a bit to make sure that I can still besaleable to my sponsors and fans. The key is.... I want to win. Worse thananything. It's been tough lately but I know we'll get it turned around.
See you downunder real soon. |
| | | | "Incidents and accidents will happen. Unfortunately for me, it's beenhappening way too much lately. I am trying to drive the car way too hard andit's been biting me." | |
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