Why dont IRL, and CART or Champ merge?

Question

Regardless of your preponderance of road races or ovals.

Last time I checked Champ was in a worst position than the IRL. Then again after going bankrupt they havent bounced back like "the Donald".

Answer 1

I have heard rumors that it may happen in the next few years. I wouldn't mind it, except I don't care for road courses. The plus would be a bigger fan base. Maybe it would keep "Nascrap" from growing more.

Answer 2

The reason put forth in the Indianapolis Indiana media is that TG wants to merge and whoever is currently running CART agrees but they can't come to terms. IMHO the stumbling block is the Indy 500. CART came in in the '70's and tried to tell the Hulman family what to do and how to run the race. Now to begin with you don't go to the longest running auto race in history and start dictating terms. For many years the 500 was run as a separate event from CART scheduling and administered by people who's love was of the tradition of Indy not who was calling the shots. When the Hulman family has supported the sport of racing for decades and made darn sure that the Indy 500 field was the richest race in America they are not about to ever again allow anyone person or group to dictate terms to them. Period

The IRL CART merger was stopped by a Federal Bankruptcy Judge when he refused to allow TG to purchase the equipment and assets of CART. That is the only way the two sides will get together, when CART is dissolved and IRL owns the entire pie.

I attended my first Indy 500 at the age of 10 in 1964 and have held tix to every event held at IMS since that time. This split has its roots in and was caused by certain team owners who wanted to rule the roost and make the rules to serve them and shut out the little guy.

As a lifetime fan of The Indy 500 and a lifelong resident of Indianapolis In I have been around to see things progress to this point. A lot of information that gets published, gossiped about, or disiminated here doesn't reach the rest of the US. I have no connection to IMS, no axe to grind, the truth is that you have TG and the Hulman family on one side and a bunch of team owners on the other side and both think they are right. The difference is that TG owns the track, the name, the history, and can count on 500,000 people to show up on Raceday to vote.

Answer 3

I really do hope that these two series come together once and for all. I was a BIG Champ Car fan when Villeneuve, Andretti, Fernandez, Vasser, Zanardi, the late Greg Moore (may god rest his soul). Boy that was excellent racing!! A mix of all courses out there. Street, road courses as well as ovals. Now that is what I call a test of skill.

Answer 4

CONAN-Good ans. but a little simplistic.The INDY500 used to be sanctioned by USAC.The USAC rules for engines differed from what CART was running.PENSKE,FOYT and a few others had to either build a car just for INDY,so it would be competitive,or race the car used for the rest of the season at indy and NOT be competitive.They tried to get USAC to back down,to no avail.Like everyone else said,they're stubborn-neither side will compromise now.$$$$$$ is the key.TG is as bad as the FRANCE family in NASCAR--YOU WANT TO RUN HERE? Here's the rule book,comply or go away.

Answer 5

The IRL and Champ Car won't merge because Tony George is astoundingly dumb and has no business running a racing series, and Champ Car's ownership knows it.

Answer 6

they are going to merge, just as soon as one series goes belly up and not a second sooner, and in my opinion neither one has an advantage anymore, as long as tony george owns indy he will not give in, and all of us open wheel fans will suffer while these millionaires play the screw you no screw you game, as our sport slowly dies in the mean time

Answer 7

Because Tony George is stubborn and wants it all.