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Joined:
7-21-2006
Posts:
3499
When did Indy die?
6/6/2008 2:13 PM
Indy was big. Real big. Even when drivers, sprinters included, talk about great Indys, they go back in time. When did that time really end. The relevance faded away. When did Indy die?
When the roadsters fell out of favor, replaced by mid-engine designs?
When the wings came in around 1970?
When ground effects hit around 1980?
Or did the spirit of Indy die with Eddie Sachs in 1964?
I think it left us when they slowed the cars down, when 240 became too fast. Once the speed chase ended, I believe the best of Indy's appeal went with it.
Joined:
7-21-2006
Posts:
841
When did Indy die?
6/6/2008 5:28 PM
It maybe a tossup between the imported drivers and when the split occurred but I wouldn't say it died as much as it took a severe beating and is just now begining to recuperate.
You may equate it to the recent troubles in the NHL but it lasted alot longer than the hockey dispute.
Joined:
8-18-2007
Posts:
1992
When did Indy die?
6/6/2008 8:48 PM
I think it was when we could no longer equate with the drivers. We couldn't pronounce their names and knew nothing about them. I don't think it was any particular time but it evolved over years. We are finally seeing some drivers with personalities. Guys that you feel you could have a beer with, drivers that appreciate the fans. The period that ended it for me was when there was not a Foyt, Unser or Mears. The Americans that earned their spots, not paid for them.
Joined:
7-21-2006
Posts:
2980
When did Indy die?
6/6/2008 9:03 PM
I think it left us when they slowed the cars down, when 240 became too fast.
And that.............. "sums it it up".
Ask Roger Edmundson ............he is in the entertainment business, as is also Rogers`s "Daytona Group."
You know............. the people that entertain you...in spite of what motorsports is all about............the "Daytona group" is on your side, LOL..
I hear his plans for AMA are awesome...even though nobody will watch in 2009. LOL
Here is the philosiphy, BTW.....take over, make it unpopular, make it the only choice,......sponsors will have no way of dropping NASCAR`s progress, LOL.
Rwak on,....motortainment!!!!!!!
Joined:
7-21-2006
Posts:
222
When did Indy die?
6/8/2008 10:01 AM
Indy seems to be very much alive judging by the crowd on race day this year.
Last night Texas had a very good crowd also.
I really think things started going downhill when they decided to only run Honda engines. What happened to the Chevy's, Turbines, and anything else that can make a racecar go fast. Used to be you had to prove yourself in a lower division of racing, now all you have to have is money and no talent.
Joined:
7-21-2006
Posts:
3499
When did Indy die?
6/8/2008 12:29 PM
Vuky wrote:
Used to be you had to prove yourself in a lower division of racing, now all you have to have is money and no talent.
That part actually has a chance to change.
Joined:
2-22-2008
Posts:
8
When did Indy die?
6/8/2008 6:39 PM
Bandman wrote:
Indy was big. Real big. Even when drivers, sprinters included, talk about great Indys, they go back in time. When did that time really end. The relevance faded away. When did Indy die?
When the roadsters fell out of favor, replaced by mid-engine designs?
When the wings came in around 1970?
When ground effects hit around 1980?
Or did the spirit of Indy die with Eddie Sachs in 1964?
I think it left us when they slowed the cars down, when 240 became too fast. Once the speed chase ended, I believe the best of Indy's appeal went with it.
Joined:
7-24-2006
Posts:
3865
When did Indy die?
6/11/2008 12:14 AM
Eldora Three wrote:
I think it was when we could no longer equate with the drivers. We couldn't pronounce their names and knew nothing about them. I don't think it was any particular time but it evolved over years. We are finally seeing some drivers with personalities. Guys that you feel you could have a beer with, drivers that appreciate the fans. The period that ended it for me was when there was not a Foyt, Unser or Mears. The Americans that earned their spots, not paid for them.
Yes, and don't forget Parnelli here.
The age of innocence left us at Indy when the roadsters went away. Jimmy Clark came with "that funny looking green machine". And who was the Scottsman, can't remember. We forever have lost those days to the big dollar machine known as NASCAR. some of us can remember huddling around the radio with our Dads listening to the race. Maybe the absence "of our Dad's" comes into play here. My Dad and I started going racing in ....about 1957, or so. He crewed on a midget team in Seattle in the early forties for Alan Heath, the man that drove with a hook. We were still racing until about three years ago when i took him to The Dirt Cup at Skagit., 51 years of racing. Wow guys, what memories you have stirred up here, those were the days.
Vuky and the boys will never be forgotten complety, we just need to refresh our memories from time to time. Thanks for the memories Dad...
Joined:
7-21-2006
Posts:
222
When did Indy die?
6/14/2008 9:32 AM
Been watching Open Wheel Racing since the l940's and there will never be drivers like Troy Ruttman, Alan Heath, Johnny Parsons, Cal Niday, Walt Faulkner, Billy Vukovich, Chuck Stevenson, LLoyd Ruby, Jimmy Bryan, Fred Agabashian, Rodger Ward, and a lot more that I have forgotten to mention. These were real men with who drove real cars that did not have power steering, tires that were two feet wide, wings and other devises that help the drivers of today.
Yep, these guys are a thing of the past and there will never be anymore like them.
Joined:
6-19-2008
Posts:
29
When did Indy die?
6/19/2008 6:40 PM
I agree with all of you. It really comes down to marketing ... and I think a lot of the casual fans can't relate to the drivers well, not only because of a lot of "names you can't pronounce" but becuase many of the team cars look the same and you can barely read the numbers. You can't spot your driver with a quick glance like you can with stock cars. It can be hard work to see your favorite driver, and it makes things difficult for someone trying to pick things up. Plus, as far as the marketing goes, let's be honest. The IRL has dropped the ball when it comes to keeping the momentum after the Indy 500. Happens every year.
Joined:
7-12-2008
Posts:
1
When did Indy die?
7/12/2008 5:40 AM
Eldora Three wrote:
I agree ; I think it was when they lost some of the more popular named drivers and opened the field up to more opportunities for unfamiliar upcoming world drivers.
I think it was when we could no longer equate with the drivers. We couldn't pronounce their names and knew nothing about them. I don't think it was any particular time but it evolved over years. We are finally seeing some drivers with personalities. Guys that you feel you could have a beer with, drivers that appreciate the fans. The period that ended it for me was when there was not a Foyt, Unser or Mears. The Americans that earned their spots, not paid for them.