I'm a big F-1, champ-car fan, I guess there's not a lot of fan's for this here is there? I go to the molson indy every year here in toronto and thats how I became a fan of champ-car. I also had the chance to see a F-1 race in europe [SPA] and these cars just blew me away, going from 195 mph's to 30 in a matter of 100 ft and then back up to 195 in a matter of seconds is something every race fan should have a chance to see. I'm not a big nascar fan, but I'm starting warm up to it mainly because of Kenny, Johnney,and mikey on inside winston cup show. These guy's are funny.....

I'm somewhat of a CART fan. I've been up to the Portland race about 4 times. I've seen Alex Zanardi race up there, before he went to F1. It's too bad what happened to him a few years ago having to have his legs amputated from that horrific crash in Germany. I remember watching Jacque Vilneuve race up there as well before he left for F1. I think I started to lose interest in CART when Greg Moore died at Fontana a few years ago. Seeing his lifeless arms thrashing about after he hit the wall, (litterally head first), pretty much made me sick.

The sad thing about CART now is that I am willing to bet that it won't be around for too much longer. It's becoming a huge "spec." series with what they are alowed to run and such. For a series that runs primarily in the U.S. there aren't many in the way of American drivers either. Besides, I think a good protion of U.S. race fans are leaning more heavily towards NASCAR anyway. You can't keep a race series if you don't have a fan base, and I don't think CART's numbers are as favorable as they used to be. The numbers were higher before Tony George took over Indianapolis and started the IRL, subsequently eliminating most CART drivers for his ridiculous and numerous reasons. The first few years of the IRL really, REALLY sucked. I remember watching a Dentist try and qualify for the 500 at the first inception of the IRL. That was pathetic, and all of those inexperienced drivers, who were only driving because of huqe sponsorships, and virtually no seat time in an open wheel car.....how pathetic.

Now it's looking like the IRL is starting to "recruit" X-CART series drivers. The thing that is irritating to me with IRL as a whole is the "race on ovals only" type of series they have. Turn left, turn left, turn left................ It's open wheeled NASCAR, heck, NASCAR at least races on 2 different road courses, Sears Point and Watkins Glenn. That's 2 more than the IRL. CART races on different types of ovals, road courses, and street courses. A more "driver" type of series.

As for F1, pretty much who-ever starts on the front row is going to win that series. It is pretty interesting however that most people don't realize that the higest paid athlete in the world is a race car driver, that being Michael Schumacher, who by the way has a huge endorsement from Nike shoes as well.

I'll watch almost any race anytime, I love it :D

Snow-Drift

Im a big time drag fan,mostly (IHRA) but only in person as tv doent do them justice,then it would be a toss up between cart and formula one.As a Canadian i usually only watch the first few laps of f1 as thats about as far as those fricken Villenuve pilotted Hondas seem to be able to go( yeah leaving Frank Williams was a real good idea)And i cant stand watching oval racing of any kind(only watch nascar whe they hit the Glen or Sears Point.And the one form of racing i love to watch and am going to try someday(money permiltting) is rally cars(particulary the World variety)

I am a hudge Formula 1 race fan! I've got the last 7 years of F-1 on video tape since Jacques joined in 1996. This is the cream of the crop of motor sports with the worlds most amazing machines. Nothing can concore a road coarse like these machines. The sound of them in person makes the hair on the back of your neck stand on end!
Now F-1 gets it's knocks cause of it being predictable at times and this is true. And at the moment Ferrari has been the class of the field for some time. But this is motavation for the other teams to improve. Now Champ car is very competitive due all teams running the same engines and tyres. But has become very water down talent wise with teams focasing on Nascar and IRL.
This is a great thread, if anyone wants too talk F-1 i'm all ears..........can't get enough, infact when I can get out on the trails during the week when they are quite and well groomed I attack the trails like I'm driving a F-1 car! Trying to run the apex at all times until it is unsafe for others on the trails!

3eyed cat ........talk to me bout spa were did you sit........I got to go to Montreal in 01 when Raulf beat his bro straight up........what year did you go! I've been to Europe but not too any race's. But I hope too change that soon.............Would love to go too Monza, where the cars are the fastest and the atmosphere is electric.
Crapp Look what you started!!! :inlove: :inlove:

Winston Cup for me!.....but its still tough to watch without Dale Sr.

Todd

Winston Cup & sometimes the BGN series. A little bit of NHRA racing. I've been going to the June MIS race since '86. I've also seen races @ the Rock, Atlanta & Talladega.

I've been going to Indy for the US Nationals since '90.

I like to watch American Muscle Car, watch my uncle race his shifter cart, stock car races, etc...

non-winged sprints nothing like watching 1300 lbs. and 700+ hp 2 wide going into the corners on dirt. :0:

Nascar, Mark Martin, and startin to keep an eye on Kurt Bush....

Kenny, I was in Belgium in 97. The last year of the wide body cars with slicks. This season started off real good but I think schumacher is starting to make his charge. I've been to montreal as well, just the sound of 16.000+ rpm's going by drives me nuts. I hope Kimi [iceman] can give mike a run for his money this year. This Alonso kid on renault looks like a real racer to, good car, just needs some more Hp. We'll see who starts were tomorrow morning in Austria.

Snow-drift, good points, with honda and toyta leaving its really starting to become just that, but for wheel to wheel racing its a good thing. The two races in Canada are still very popular but with the lack of north american racers coming in its going to kill the series very soon. So whats the deal with the engine Ford/cosworth there using now does it have the same power as last years motor? I read it dropped almost 200hp to keep the cost down and only revs to 12.000 rpm's, is this true?

1997 eh, Jacques champ year. That was a frustrating race with Jacques starting on pole and then it pouring rain at the last minute.
The race started under the saftey car and Jacques started with the full blown wet tyres and Schumi started on inter's..........the right tyre's! If it was a dry race than Jacques would have ran away with it!
It's too bad there is no spa this season...........No doubt it is one of the worlds greatest road coarces.
People agrue that the change in the rules will mix it up this season.........and it did start off that way, but Ferrari got off to a bad start and did have some bad luck for a change.........got caught out in the wet weather. But now that they are back in Europe and have the new car I doubt that they will be stopped.
Unless Mclaren's new car coming soon is very quick and reliable..........fingers crossed! Your right Kimmi and Fernando are the new star's of the field. But if Williams car didn't have handling problems then we would be talking about Juan and Raulf. Bottom line you need a great car under you to be a great driver.

pic of sprint car for those that do not know what they are.this particular ride has 410 inch small chevyhitting 767 hp@7600rpm and 601 lbs of torque @5000 rpm.track record at our normal friday spot is in the 12's (if I remember right its 12.34)on dirt with 4 corners.pure excelleration no tranny to steal power direct link(in or out) to the rear end.they push start them.we done a lil testing last year with the gps on my buddy driving it showed top speed @89 mph ,during qualifying. if your in Indiana on friday night stop by the gas city I-69 speedway you'll find me in the pits with the car pictured(differant colors this year) 42G,aslong as there is no baseball game for my boy that is :thumbsup: .see you there if you make it.

My favorite would have to be Winston Cup. I also like to watch the Busch and Truck series some. I have gone to Bristol once, would like to go to the night race some time. I agree with you Todd, its not the same without Dale Sr. I also like to watch the World of Outlaws and USAC. Pretty much any dirt track racing. I am not into Cart, F-1, and IRL much. The only race that I will watch is Indy. Just because there is so much hype about it.

speaking of usac I need to do a check,car in pic ran the usac race in Terre haute In. last night with driver brian gerster.I need to find results of the race.I guess that race is tonight.rained down there so I don't know now. ???

I think the tires are holding williams back, they take to long to get there grip, by the time the mich's come up to full grip Mike and Rubens are long gone. So it's mikey,Kimi,Juan, do you think Juan will try a BONZI move into the first corner?He's done it before, show's mikey no respect a couple of times last year. I think he'll give a shot, he needs to be in front for a while before those tires start to work, if not that red bullet will be long gone. There could be a chance of rain, I hope so, make's for a better race....

F-1 all the way, those mahines are amazing, if you see it there thats where it most likely is developed!

NASCAR is too low tech for me, champ cars are ok too. Top fuel drags are impressive as well 6000+ HP.....yeah baby!

I don't know about low tech,I mean compared to f-1 yeah. but as far as for the fan the best action is had on 1 mile and smaller ovals,I prefer dirt but pavement is ok.after looking at the usac site I see they will be live from lawrenceburg In. for their portion of the Indiana sprint week series,On speed channel as well as having another taped show from the sprint week races.now that is serious racing for and IMO the best action for the fans.I guess I don't care if they can twist their engines to the sky if they are not racing hard and close why bother watching ??? .I really recommend those that have not seen sprints in action to catch any of the dirt races they can,that get televised,you cannot imagine 20-25 cars on a 1/4 mile track 2 wide to start and 3-4 in corners during the race sideways. :0: and when they touch to much someone will go for a ride,usually wild one.

What did Robert Duvall say " There's nothing stock about a stock car" I have to agree[low tec] but I'd love to go to Bristol [short track] and see these winston cup car's blast around a tiny track. I'm really impressed how they perform there pit stops, Bolts flying, air guns whaling ,gas all over the place, cars being cut off and out they go in under 15 seconds. I'm becoming a fan!

3 eye your right about the tyres the mich's go threw that transition period where they loose grip then it comes back to them. But the williams seems to eat the tyre's much more quickly than the mclaren. San Morino for an example, the williams were on the same lighter fuel load stratagie as the ferrari's and really struggled with grip and the mclarens ran the heavy fuel load and the race came back to them. Kimmi came close to beating Mike.
Should be interesting tomorrow I hope Kimmi gets infront of Mike at the start, and maybe even Juan too. Otherwise the red will be gone! but even still Kimmi is a seat of the pants kinda driver and could probable handle taking alot of wing out of that car so he can slip stream down the long straights and still handle the less grip for the corners. And may be able too pass Mike straight up!
Sucks that all the race's ended up on my weekends too work, so I will have to tape it and watch it when I get home!
Now I gotta go and watch the quali on tape.
Glad I got someone else too talk about this stuff with my wife was getting sick hearing about it! :doh:

:hallo1: F1 :hallo1:

:hallo1: F1 Cart and Rally car fan here :hallo1: :hallo1:

right on freezerburnt............rally rocks too, I love when they run in the winter! I saw on speed were they are running rally cross now. Were they race head to head instead of the clock!

The technology is there in the Winston Cup cars, it is just not seen. They are making over 700 hp. That hp is being created out of a small block with a carb. That is impressive to me.

Dooman, when is the USAC on Speed next?

Bristol is impressive. It is amazing to watch them guys go around the track at 120 mph on a half mile track. I would definatley reccomend going. Like any race, the TV doesnt do it justice.

Originally posted by 3eyedcat@May 16 2003, 11:29 PM
Snow-drift, good points, with honda and toyta leaving its really starting to become just that, but for wheel to wheel racing its a good thing. The two races in Canada are still very popular but with the lack of north american racers coming in its going to kill the series very soon. So whats the deal with the engine Ford/cosworth there using now does it have the same power as last years motor? I read it dropped almost 200hp to keep the cost down and only revs to 12.000 rpm's, is this true?
I'm not sure what exactly is up with the engines. What irritates me to no end, is the fact that Toyota struggled for a few seasons and then the last few years it seemed they just dominated, and now they are gone. I'm not sure what is up with the HP ratings, but I wouldn't be surprised to see that they cut the HP ratings, more than likely they are the same engines but all they did was to cut back the amount of allowable boost they are allowed to have. I'm hoping to go to the Portland race this next month, but I'm not sure if I'll make it. I would like to see an American LeMans race up there. I hear that they race up there, I just need to find a schedule and see if Portland is on there.

As for Stock car racing guys, the only thing stock about a stock car is the name. What irritates me about NASCAR is the fact that they take forever to mandate safety precautions for the drivers. What made me absolutely sick and mad about Earnhardts death was the fact that his death could have possibly been prevented with the wearing of a head and neck restraint, and possibly even a full face helmet. The fact that they allowed open face helmets in the NASCAR series at all just shows the flatent disregard for the drivers safety and a thumbs up for the "good 'ol boy" attitude that sometimes comes with that series. And as for their roll cages........ what a joke. They would rather build braces for the braces to brace the braces. If they would get some 20th century engineering in there they would realize that they need to design the cages to dissipate and absorb energy from crashes. As it is now, the brunt of the impacts are absorbed by the drivers, how pathetic and stupid! Granted a driver will take a decent hit in a crash, but as the design of those cars stand now, the impact the driver feels is far more substantial than it should be.

NASCAR is not the same with out old "Iron Head". You should see what my desk is surrounded by, an autographed picture of the Intimidator, his rookie race cards, pictures, die cast after die cast, a 4 foot tall picture of the man himself...... beer steins, pocket knives....... Goodwrench nightlight......

Snow-Drift

World rally is just plain nuts, I sit there and watch these guys blasting though the landscape and I really start to sweat sitting in my chair at home. No other form of racing makes me sqwint like world rally, just beyond real car control.

:hallo1: Oops forgot

I like the Paris-Dakar race too :D

From Motorcycles-Quads-Cars-Trucks-Dunebuggies and big Transports rules!!!

Originally posted by 3eyedcat@May 17 2003, 10:22 PM
World rally is just plain nuts
:withstupid: :withstupid: The rally guys are crazy!!!

The racing I watch the most is probably Winston Cup or Craftsman truck. I never miss the local dirt track races though!! You get alot better show with the locals! This weekend I saw the extreme dirt cars when they came here, it was great!! :D
Most of what I see around here is Wissota sanctioned.

nothing like 43 cars in a pack, and there is only one series that in the world that on any givin sunday or saturday night any of them could win and thats NASCAR, and thats why its the most popular racing series to watch, and it will always be. i do miss dale sr though, just not the same without him. Forever #3

Originally posted by 3eyedcat@May 17 2003, 11:22 PM
World rally is just plain nuts,
Are you talking about the drivers or fans? Cars going by @ who knows what speed & the spectators standing right beside the road :withstupid: :doh:

Originally posted by revrnd@May 19 2003, 11:07 AM

Are you talking about the drivers or fans? Cars going by @ who knows what speed & the spectators standing right beside the road :withstupid: :doh:
Sort of like those Baja races down in Mexico :withstupid: :nervous:

Snow-Drift

Originally posted by revrnd+May 19 2003, 10:07 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (revrnd @ May 19 2003, 10:07 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--3eyedcat@May 17 2003, 11:22 PM
World rally is just plain nuts,
Are you talking about the drivers or fans? Cars going by @ who knows what speed & the spectators standing right beside the road :withstupid: :doh: [/b][/quote]
They are all nuts!!! You couldn&#39;t pay me to stand there and watch from where they are! I don&#39;t think I would have the balls to drive like those guys do either!

NASCAR
#20 Tony Stewart is going for a repeat.
I think that formula one is one sided to Shumacher. I lost almost all respect for F-1 when i saw the race this weekend when a guys car stalles and they had to restart the race and all the guys had to come out and with laptops to computerize the clutch. The one guys team was freaking out because he might have to start manually and not with a cmoputer. Racing is about engines and drivers not computers.

here is link to schedule, http://www.usacracing.com/tvschedule.asp

King, problem is when the lights start there sequence,and a car stalls it can be very dangerous, in the past they would of left it there and let the race begin. Another reason they have the pitcrew come out is that these cars are aircooled, and with all these delays they have to pump as much dry ice into them as they can to cool them down.[ Racing is about engines and drivers not computers] in the real world ya, but this is F1. TECHNOLOGY RULES!!!!!!

F1 all the way. I have a friend that works in the pits for a major race team. I get inside pictures of the race and a description of the race also. Kind of makes it like your were there. Besides like to see if I can see him on TV also.