CART Belly up??

[pumpdoc 2]

Well it looks like the jokers at CART have done it

looks like they are going to fold leaving Tony George

and the IRL yech I hope he's happy at ruining open wheel

racing in the U.S.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Luckily, very luckily, the IRL is looking at reinstating proper race tracks on to the calendar. Though CART going is a shame, it will happen though. No doubt on that one...

[rodders47 2]

It is a pitty about CART but this appears to be racing in the good ole U S of A... Run a series that no one else in the world runs, Like the Baseball , very popular in the states and a few other smaller countries but not a world wide web of interest. USA created the web .. seems they have lost the thread

[nichosnz 0]

It has been coming a while though, teams and drivers defecting to the 'weaker' IRL. Rule changes and back downs that would make even F1 cringe. As well as countless other issues.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

When Reynard left CART, that was really the beginning of the end, I would say...

[frederick 0]

what is the latest on the CART saga?

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Actually, it seems now that CART will go ahead. The owners have completed the contracts and secured the funding to allow to series to go ahead, though I still dont think the clouds have cleared for them.

[frederick 0]

have they got enough teams signed up to race to meet the contractural agreements with sponsors etc :?:

[juany 0]

I heard they where short a few teams and CART.com isnt forthcoming with any news.

I hope it survives, not that I watch it much anymore, but I remember when I was hooked on CART, back when Mansell switched over.

The last few seasons I have had real trouble following it, but that may be due to the fact that where I live I get it delayed and at stupid hours of the morning.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

I have never followed CART full-on (the running starts and silly pit-stop rules turned me off), but I still hope it stays! It has produced some great drivers for F1, and is a good place for the F1 has-beens or never-beens to go to

[Thor 0]

I have to ask like a stupid woman,what is difference between CART and IRL is it like the difference between F1 and F3000? :?:

[juany 0]

As far as I am aware, IRL (Indy Racing League) was a break away series. Tony George who owns the Indy track won an injuction to stop cart using the term Indy Car and set up his own series. IRL only race on ovals (including the Indy 500) and Cart race on ovals, street and proper circuits.

I am not sure on the technical regs of the series but CART intrtroduced new regs recently to try to curb the costs for the teams.

I am sure some others will know more about CART and IRL, so hopefully there will be more light shed soon.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

They used to be one series, and then they split into two. Until two or three years ago, CART was still very successful and completely overshadowed the IRL, but recently teams have started to head to the IRL and now CART is in big trouble. I don't understand why it went this way, but idiots behind the desks could have something to do with it. They had the silliest kinds of rules one could think of, last year included, concerning pit stops etc.

IRL is planning to introduce proper racing circuits into their calendar, but somehow I fear something on the level of NASCAR with their races at Sears Point and Watkins Glen.

[nichosnz 0]

Aah the mighty token gesture.