It has truly been one of the rites of spring. Now, it just ain't right, say the drivers destined for Brooklyn, Mich., on May 26 and not the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Drivers Lament Indy Car Rift
By John Vondersmith
©1996 The Columbian
Vancouver, Washington
In Portland to test in wet weather, trio of CART racers hope troubles with new Indy Racing League will be resolved in 1997.
The best open-wheel cars and drivers are not going to be entered in the Indianapolis 500, the most famous auto race in the world.
"Everybody's bummed. We're bummed as a team. I'm bummed as a driver," said Walker Racing's Robby Gordon, using his best Americanese.
"When you're a kid you set your goals of winning the Indy 500," he added. "Now, not to get the opportunity, it's very disappointing."
Gordon, Scott Pruett and Bobby Rahal were testing at Portland International Raceway, in preparation for next week's Indy Car race at Nazareth, Pa. and the June 23 Budweiser/G.I. Joe's 200.
In past years, mid-April brought talk of the Indianapolis 500. Now, it brings uncertainty and anticipation as drivers await fan reaction to the Indy 500 and the U.S. 500, the Indy Car race formed by Championship Auto Racing Teams, Inc., on the same weekend.
"We're going to Michigan like it was Indy -- pretend," Gordon said. "We got a lot of work to do to make Michigan our Indy 500."
The Indy 500 will be dominated by 25 cars from the new Indy Racing League, formed by the president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Tony George, whose differences with CART led to the split of open-wheel enthusiasts into two factions.
George had opened up only eight spots for the race, but Indy Car teams are resolute about keeping CART together and not crossing the pseudo picket line.
The tradition and heritage should remain the fastest 33 make the race," said Pruett, second to Jimmy Vasser in IndyCar PPG World Series points. "Anything else is nothing but an exhibition."
Rahal, a three-time IndyCar PPG World Series champion and 1986 Indy 500 winner, said he looks forward to relaxing in the month of May. "The reality is tradition and history were used as a leverage tool," he said.
George originally formed the Indy Racing League to, among other things, give American drivers an opportunity in the fastest open-wheel cars and make the racing affordable.
But, new IRL rules are prohibiting Honda, Toyota, Ford and Mercedes engines to run on the circuit, including the Indy 500.
After years of cultivating relationships with those manufacturers, CART teams are not about to give them up for one race, in essence.
"If they'll change the rules, play the way we want to play, all the teams would love to go there next year," Gordon said.
Rahal fears accidents accidents and injuries are waiting to happen at The Brickyard, where drivers are known to top 220 miles per hour on the oval. (Actually 230+ mph, Ed.)
Twenty-two rookies are scheduled to race in the Indy 500. The big names are past winner Arie Luyendyk, two-time runner-up Roberto Guerrero and Lyn St. James.
Some are using outdated equipment, meaning four to six years old. George has said, "there's no magic to competing at this level," but Indy Car drivers disagree.
"Indianapolis is not a place to mess with," Rahal said. "I just hope nobody gets hurt."
So, who will exit Memorial Day weekend as the open-wheel series to watch?
Pruett said the fans will decide.
"Hopefully, after this season, everybody can come to terms," he said.
