I live in Charlotte and was looking forward to this race - imagine my surprise when they decided to run the oval with 2 chicanes. The chicane created by the tractor tires in the middle of the track had to be the stupidest thing I've ever seen. I just don't understand why they ran this format, when Lowe's has a road course that works just fine for exciting racing. Race just wasn't that exciting - lots of unnecessary carnage...
Where's my old beloved Speedvision?

 

A year ago, my wonderful cable company took away Speed TV unless I pay an extra $9.99 for a stupid box.

I guess I haven't missed anything.

I was going to get the box soon, but threads like these make me reconsider...

-Z-man.

 

It was run on the same weekend as the NASCAR All-star race, which means the infield is full of campers, sponsors, and entertainment areas.

 

so it's official Speed World Challenge has "Jumped the shark"



http://www.jumptheshark.com/index.jspa

 

Don't start internet rumors as there is a lot more to it than that

 

That rumor significantly preceded my posting of it, and I didn't start it. However, when SCCA & Speed don't say squat in terms of details, keep their fans in the dark, and Speed announced previously that 2006 would be its last as name sponsor, they sort of deserve the rumors that ensue.

 

That's a PERFECT description of this fiasco.

 

Let's not start knick-picking all the details of who did what, why and how they did it. A rumor on the internet or around the race community does not always mean it is a fact. You and I are both smart enough to know that. I have heard all the rumors you have and have been asked by lots of people on the whether they are true or not. Most of them have been very far from the truth and some of what is said above is of that nature or misinterpretation of the facts twisted to fit the story (similar to what our libtard media friends like to do ) .

Anyway the Speed GT race at Charlotte was a different format tried to get the series in front of a bigger audience. In some ways it was a great success and in some (from your reactions) a failure. I don't see it as a lame attempt but more of a bold move to try something totally different than what has been attempted previously by most road racing series out there. I think you will see that the racing will be back to what it has been in the past this weekend at the Glen and will continue to be the series you guys have loved.

 

A bimbo spinning a wobbly "Wheel of inversion" with a guy dressed up as a big bolt standing next to her is just what we need in road racing. I have an idea! How about some plain old fashioned road racing on TV and leave The Price is Right crap to Bob Barker?

 

That may be what you want, but it's obviously not selling to a broader audience or we'd see fields growing and more TV time for World Challenge. I applaud those who think outside the box when it comes to road racing. The France family has done it with Grand-Am Rolex and developed a very successful series, attracting fans, teams, and drivers.

 

Yep..
I quite watching CART years ago when then went to the funky "pit window" rules. Why not just let the guys race it out straight up.

Grand am's "must stop in first 45 min" seems much the same way.


I personlly hate that in F1 you must use BOTH tires in the race. Why not just let them pick one or the other. Pick the compound such that in a long stint the softs may go off. So 2 stopper pick soft tires and 1 stopper pick the hard tires.

All these games just take away from the pruity of the sport. IMHO.

 

It reminded me of when Fox TV and the NHL got together and did the blue/red streak behind the hockey puck. Some things you just look back on and say "OK, so that was dumb.".

 

I prefer the streak...

 

I have actually never seen a "Chicane O Doom" before that was capable of ripping the suspension off a closed wheel race car. Now that's something that would spice our driver eds up!!

 

I think the problem is that we all expect to see racing. THIS WAS NOT A RACE. Rather, it was entertainment. Forcing everyone to pit, then randomly shuffling the leaders = not a race. Think about it; there was an 80% chance the leader would be told to give up his spot. That's not much of a race.