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| | Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1998 23:52:15 +0000
From: BOB LEE
Subject: QUESTION FOR ROBBY
Robby,
I've enjoyed your comments on the Speedcenter website throughoutthe 1998 season. It's great to have you back where you belong,in the CART FedEx Championship Series. As the "silly season" rumorsrun rampant I can only hope you plan to remain in the CART campwith a better ride for 1999. You've got the talent to win regularlyin this series, all you need is better equipment. I'm rootingfor you!
Now a quick question:
Could you describe the workout routine and physical conditioningnecessary to meet the physiological demands of CART racing?
Bob Lee | | Just like any athlete operating at the top level of sport, you must get plentyof sleep. Man, do I like my sleep. On the serious side, you've got to havethe right diet and train on a daily basis. There are always obstacles butexercises which keep your heart rate up for an extended period seem to workthe best for me. Mountain biking is great. Southern California makes for agreat workout environment. |
| | Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 13:59:24 -0500
From: "Steve Heckard"
Subject: Good luck
Robby,
No response is necessary. I just want to wish you the best in puttingtogether a competitive package for 1999. I have always enjoyed your styleand welcomed your return to CART this year. For my own preference I hopeyou stay in CART, if not, at least in open wheel competition. Your talentin taking it to the limit is much more noticeable in open wheel competitionthan in NASCAR. However, I understand why winning in NASCAR is attractiveafter last year. Whatever you choose, I hope you know you'll have a lot offans out there cheering you on.
Best of luck
Steve Heckard | | Things will fall as they will. What I can tell you is I plan to give it myall whenever and wherever I race. You know that by now. Thanks for yoursupport, the strong fan base keeps me going when times are tough. |
| |  | Date: Sat, 22 Aug 1998 10:41:16 -0700
From: "Scott Hamelin"
Subject: Indianapolis 500
I have heard through a few different sources that Andrew Craig and Tony Goerge are talking, but nobody seems to know anything about how those talks are going. Do you?
Do you think, with the cars and engines being different, CART can work something out with the IRL without the quality of their racing and cars going down? Do you have any opinions on what should happen and what do you think is going to come of the talks?
Memorial Day used to be the biggest weekend of the year in my household. It breaks my heart seeing what Tony George has turned "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" into. He needs to get CART back at the Speedway and fast. The whole premise of "If we get rid of all these highly paid big-names from CART, then all these other guys can have a chance to drive" is entirely ridiculous. Can you imagine the NFL saying, "If we get rid of John Elway, Troy Aikman, Steve Young and Dan Marino, then all these other guys can have a chance to play"? The teams from CART want the best drivers driving in the series. You are proof that an American can get a ride.
Also congratulations on what you have been able to accomplish with the Toyota, we know it's been rough. What do you think Scott Pruett is in for next season? As a CART fan, I appreciate the time and money Toyota has put into their CART program and I would love to see them succeed, but they have been with this a few years now and they are still consistently in the back of the field. What is going on and what do you think they need to do to get to the front?
Good luck with the rest of the season and with finding the right seat for next year!
Scott Hamelin
| So many questions so little time. Are Tony and Andrew Craig talking? I doubtit.However I think there are others that are. I believe that a common formulawill develop as I have talked about in this forum. One engine formula and onechassis formula. We need to be able to compete at Indianapolis andIndianapolis needs us.
Regarding Scott Pruett, he is a great guy and solid race car driver. Ibelieve he will be very good for the Toyota program. His history of testingwith Firestone will bring a fresh approach to testing and development.
We are working very hard on upgrading performance. We are closing in on it."99 should be the year. If it works out, I would like to be a part of it. |
| | Date: Sun, 23 Aug 1998 15:56:39 -0500
From: Duane Swoboda
Subject: ride buying
Hi Robby,
With all the talk about the lack of American drivers in CART I am curious why the teams in the junior open wheel series (and even some CART teams) have a mentality that the drivers should bring money to them instead of the team finding sponsorship and hiring a driver (as is common in most NASCAR series). I believe ride buying cheapens open wheel racing and is a major factor in the lack of American talent having the opportunity to progress to CART. What will it take to reform this system?
Thanks for always telling it like it is.Sincerely,
Jeff Swoboda | Ride buying... It's awfully tough out there. Sometimes owners, rather thatfold up, will bring on a young "promising" talent with money because it solvestheir financial obligations. For me, it has never been about the money.However, I do understand the financial responsibility. All professionalracing is expensive.
Today I do not have the solution. What it will take is the owner group toeducate the sponsor base to support such young "Non dowry" drivers. That'salways tough because in the beginning you usually sacrifice results. Whoknows, Alex Zanardi didn't bring any money. |
| | Date: Sun, 23 Aug 1998 22:43:31 -0300
From: "Luiz Rodrigues"
Subject: Gordon Racing
Hi Robby,
I'm from Brazil and I'm your fan. It's great to see you again racing in CART series.
What are your plans to 1999 season? Is it true that you have plans to launch your own team? How it would be?
Thank you for your attention.
[ Luiz Rodrigues ----------- luizcool@pobox.com ] | | Hi Luiz, thanks for asking. We are currently looking at our opportunities fornext season and at this time do not have any new to report to you. However,when we do, we be sure to tell you. |
| | | Date: Mon, 24 Aug 1998 13:29:57 -0500
From: "Masanori Kono"
Subject: Question
From: Mas Kono
I love the way way you always seem to somehow get 107% out of the cars.
Believe me when I say the fans can tell between someone who is letting it all hang out and we like it.
I believe you are one of the few drivers who have competed in both the IRL and CART. From a drivers standpoint how much different are the cars to drive. ( The competition is a whole different story)
Are the Champ cars more difficult to drive because of the smaller displacement turbo engine configuration ? (Would imagine the power to be pretty peaky)
How about from a handling point of view. Do the Champ cars have more downforce ?
From observing both on TV and magazines, the IRL cars look more simple in design, remind me a lot of the Toyota Atlantic cars. Are they simpler to setup and or maintain ?
From a drivers point of view which one is more fun to drive and be honest ?
Finally what is your point of view on Hight Tech driver aids / performance aids that are banned in the Champ cars. Such as Paddle shifting ( on the steering wheel ), active suspension, traction control, active telemetry, pneumatic valves etc....
Hope you get a competitive ride next year ... Who knows may be Rahal or even Ganassi
Mas Kono | Thanks for the kudo's. The difference between the CART cars and the IRL carshas to do with when the power comes in. The CART cars are more sensitive tothrottle response while the IRL power comes in more solid through the powerband. It's tough to gauge because I never raced an IRL car on a road course,however I think it might be fun. Downforce changes with each car brand andI'm not sure about Dallara and GForce. But there are significant differencesbetween Reynard, Swift and Gurney with the Swift having the most to myknowledge.
For my OffRoad truck this year I plan to use a paddleshift and I think it'sgreat. All the other stuff would dramatically increase the cost of racing.NASCAR has figured out the simple formula. And Jeff and Ray have the tiredeal completely in hand.
Thanks for your thoughts. |
| | Date: Mon, 24 Aug 1998 13:29:59 -0500 From: Bill Kincaid
Subject: Question
Hi Robby!
I get a kick out of your QA column. Real writing from a realperson, instead of mealy mouth PR talk.
As a Formula Ford club racer who runs regularly at Laguna Seca,I'm interested in your reactions to the track (and I'll be thereto see you in September, of course!). For me as a driver theexcitement is in turns 6 and 9. I noticed last year there isquite a variety of lines among you guys in 9. How do you see'em? And what's your favorite passing strategy at Laguna?
Good luck, shiny side up...
Bill Kincaid
Cupertino, CA | | Laguna is a great track. I personally like to pass on the outside in 1. Themost amazing pass I've ever seen was Zanardi's mistake pass of Herta in thecorkscrew. That was just great. In fact, I think Alex might be a pretty goodoff road racer based on what I've seen. His ride at Mid-Ohio without breakingoff a wing was incredible. Believe me, I am looking forward to time likethat. It will happen, I am sure of it. |
| | Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 10:50:42 -0700 (PDT)
From: Josey Wales
Subject: Getting a
Robby,
First I must say, I really enjoyed your article "Agonies of Defeat".Rarely do race car drivers express how humbling a defeat can be. Youalways impress me with your honesty, even when the more appropriateanswer would be to lie.
My question is, how can I get started into racing? I am 23 years old,and I have no previous racing experience. I do realize I'm getting alate start, and I probably have no chance at driving a Champ car, butI feel in my heart racing is what I want to do. I also understand the"ladder" in racing, and know I must attend a driving school, which isvery expensive. Since I am a college student, most of these schoolsare out of my financial reach. Can you offer any insight?
Good luck with your career, and PLEASE stick to open wheel racing.Many of us don't want to sit, and watch NASCAR to follow your endeavors.
Thanks,
Jeff Lawrence | | Quit talkin about it and do it! Nobody in this life that I know of getssomething for free. You've got to work your butt off for it. Some peoplewould tell you that I was given everything, I will tell you that I've earnedmy position in this sport and I've got the scars to prove it. Pick up a Kart.That's a good cheap way to get started. Watch all the racing you can. Youcan always learn something. |
| | | | "I think Alex might be a pretty goodoff road racer based on what I've seen. His ride at Mid-Ohio without breakingoff a wing was incredible." | |
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