[wardfan]

I'm watching a champ car race where they are racing on an airport. Thats kind of neat. It would be cool to see Nascar cars race on that flat track. I find it interesting that they are talking about using 2 types of tires in this race. A car was starting on softer tires and will switch during the race to harder ones (same brand though). That would be an interesting thing if Nascar had that. What is the difference between the champ cars and the indy cars I see running on another channel. They look the same. I havn't heard any mention of the speeds the champ cars are running, are they as fast or faster than indy cars?

[wingkey1]

re: Different tires for changing track conditions - Believe you will find the most predominant reason for NASCAR avoiding this is cost control. While it certainly "makes sense" that the track will change, if for no other reason than temperature, and a different compound tire would be of value, the teams with the big bucks would be handed an advantage.

Champ cars were, once upon a time, Indy Cars. Champ cars, like F1 were/are the playground of the filthy rich. A "difference of view/opinion" occured some number of years ago and Indy Cars were born.

One of the more "reported" differences was a decreasing number of oval racing on the tour. The opinion was that this was getting away from the roots. "Cost gone out of control" was another. "Speed getting too high" still another. A split occured with the family that owned the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as somewhat (perhaps mostly) the "leaders" on one side. These folks became todays Indy Car. They stuck primarily to ovals and essentially introduced "spec" cars and engines. No crazy wild fuel injection or boost allowed. Lower cost, slower (likely still), specified engine and chassis choices only, ovals, Indianapolis 500. Has definitely produced some "close" racing (comparatively speaking).

Both have suffered greatly (in the eyes of many - me too) since the split. They toy around with settling their differences but have not been successful after many years of trying. You can bet there are egos involved. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing it (getting back together), but i ain't hodin' my breath.

[wardfan]

another interesting thing I noticed is that one of the champ cars had Walmart on the wing. I don't think they are on any Nascar as a major sponser are they? Somehow it seems strange they are on cars that appeared to be mostly foreign drivers. Interesting that the "Made in America" company (NOT) (sorry my union propaganda newlettertries to brainwash me not to shop there) would be on Nascar instead.

[atown85]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

re: Different tires for changing track conditions - Believe you will find the most predominant reason for NASCAR avoiding this is cost control. While it certainly "makes sense" that the track will change, if for no other reason than temperature, and a different compound tire would be of value, the teams with the big bucks would be handed an advantage.

Champ cars were, once upon a time, Indy Cars. Champ cars, like F1 were/are the playground of the filthy rich. A "difference of view/opinion" occured some number of years ago and Indy Cars were born.

One of the more "reported" differences was a decreasing number of oval racing on the tour. The opinion was that this was getting away from the roots. "Cost gone out of control" was another. "Speed getting too high" still another. A split occured with the family that owned the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as somewhat (perhaps mostly) the "leaders" on one side. These folks became todays Indy Car. They stuck primarily to ovals and essentially introduced "spec" cars and engines. No crazy wild fuel injection or boost allowed. Lower cost, slower (likely still), specified engine and chassis choices only, ovals, Indianapolis 500. Has definitely produced some "close" racing (comparatively speaking).

Both have suffered greatly (in the eyes of many - me too) since the split. They toy around with settling their differences but have not been successful after many years of trying. You can bet there are egos involved. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing it (getting back together), but i ain't hodin' my breath.

Good post.

Also, for the original poster, Hoosier used to supply tires as well for NASCAR teams that wanted them. They just weren't competitive enough. I think Kulwicki was the last champion driving with them.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by wardfan

I'm watching a champ car race where they are racing on an airport. Thats kind of neat. It would be cool to see Nascar cars race on that flat track. I find it interesting that they are talking about using 2 types of tires in this race. A car was starting on softer tires and will switch during the race to harder ones (same brand though). That would be an interesting thing if Nascar had that. What is the difference between the champ cars and the indy cars I see running on another channel. They look the same. I havn't heard any mention of the speeds the champ cars are running, are they as fast or faster than indy cars?

it seems that most drivers don't like "flat tracks" cause it takes talent to drive them well. my son reminded me last night during the Busch race that most drivers don't like the Milwaukee Mile because it's "flat". from what I was able to find out about it, it's a great facility, but "flat". I thought it made for great racing. old airports are the domain of SCCA, so NA$CAR wouldn't lower itself to race an airport - it's not the image they want to project.

the tires thing was explained during a race I saw recently. as I remember, each team was given 3 sets of tires, 2 hard and 1 soft - these were the only tires they could use in the race. with proper tire management, they were more than adequate to complete the race. except in F1, I don't think there's but one allowed tire manufacturer in each of the series in racing's "big leagues".

[Lefturn]

Champ Car uses Ford engines and Firestone tires. They have the 'Red Wall' which are the softer compound tire. If memory serves they get one set.

The cars also have 60 seconds of 'power to pass'. Call it a nitro bottle because while pressing the push to pass button the car develops more horesepower and thus faster speed.

I have been fortunate enough to see the CHAMP cars at the Edmonton Grand Prix the past two years. It's the only big league racing we get around here. It is entertaining on the airport circuits because there is a ton of room to pass and there are many good places to pass.